Wales Rally returning to season-ending slot

BRITAIN’S round of the world rally championship will return to its traditional season-ending slot, the FIA confirmed yesterday.

Wales Rally GB was brought forward to September in 2004 in a bid to chase better weather but the world governing body yesterday announced the Cardiff-based event will once again bring the curtain down on the season. An 11-month season will begin on January 20 in Monte Carlo and end on December 3 in Wales.

Other changes see Australia and New Zealand paired at the end of the season, rather than being placed at opposite ends of the schedule.