Next week's Wales Rally GB will see the Welsh forests reverberate to the sound of the new era World Rally cars, and play host to a fitting finale of this years World Rally Championship, with reigning world champion Sebastian Loeb holding a slender eight point lead over Ford's Mikko Hirvonen.

Although the Finn has struggled a bit for outright pace in the last few rounds, he can never be discounted on one of his favourite rallies.

"Anything can happen in Wales, I like the event. The weather can play a big part – fog, rain, ice, snow – so it's all to play for," said Hirvonen.

For full story see Beacon 2/11/11.