Officials, marshals and spectators have all been praised for helping to make the 2015 edition of Wales Rally GB a tremendous success – despite the elements doing their utmost to derail proceedings.

With its late calendar slot, Wales Rally GB is renowned as one of the most gruelling events on the annual FIA World Rally Championship schedule; extreme weather made this year’s rally even more demanding than usual.

Heavy rain and gale force winds challenged the organisers throughout the week, but the Deeside Service Park still welcomed 160 teams and more than 20,000 visitors. The forest stages went ahead as planned, despite constant monitoring of Storm Abigail and Hurricane Kate, with the only casualty being the closing of the iconic Great Orme stage to spectators on safety grounds.

Substantial overnight damage to the Service Park delayed Sunday’s public opening time, but a stellar effort by the event team meant the Ceremonial Finish went ahead as planned once the wind had abated. It was, reflected Wales Rally GB Managing Director Ben Taylor, a triumph of determination over persistent adversity.

“There have been so many people involved in keeping this year’s Wales Rally GB show on the road, and I really can’t thank them enough,” he underlined. “It was one of the toughest Wales Rally GBs of recent times and everybody played an absolutely vital role in helping to overcome all the obstacles that were placed in our path.

“I must pay particular tribute to Natural Resources Wales this week. Every year the work they put in to prepare the stages receives widespread praise from the drivers and teams, but this year they have made truly enormous efforts to keep the event on track, including removing the felled trees on Sunday morning from Brenig and Alwen.

“But above all else, the outstanding professionalism, meticulous preparation and unflinching commitment of our organisers, officials, marshals, car clubs and volunteers ensured that one of the most challenging editions of Wales Rally GB was also one of the most successful, enjoyed by fans and competitors alike."

Read the full report in next week’s Cambrian News