Watch: Rain fails to dampen spirits at Shropshire's Wales Rally GB
Thousands of people braved pouring rain and mud to enjoy Wales Rally GB's RallyFest in the historic grounds of Chirk Castle.
It was a day of wellies and waterproofs as spectators from across Britain and beyond arrived on the Shropshire border for the event on Saturday.
The stage has become a popular Wales Rally GB fixture – the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship.
Designed as a high-octane, family-friendly day out, the RallyFest lived up to its boast of having something for all ages, spectators said.
The entertainment got under way with competitors in the Network Q WRGB National Rally blasting their way around the slippery parkland roads, surface water from the rain adding to the challenges.
There were special parades and displays featuring historic rally cars including former Colin McRae rally machinery, exotic supercars, rally cars from past generations, Supermoto races and a stunt show from 22-time world record holder Terry Grant. The highlight, though, was the World Championship contenders taking part in a special rally stage.
Three generations of one Telford family travelled to Chirk, the event being a birthday present for 64-year-old Brian Durns, from Broseley. "I love rallying," he said. "It's the noise of the engines that do it for me and the closeness of the cars."
Carole Smith, her six-year-old daughter Annabel and friend, Daphne Carkeet-James, enjoyed a girlie day out at the RallyFest.
Carole, from St Martins, said:
"To have something like this that is so family friendly is wonderful."
