The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) blasts back to Oulton Park for the first time since 1993 as it makes its highly-anticipated return to the venue next week with a bespoke special stage set around the picturesque parkland venue on Thursday 3 October.

The Dayinsure Oulton Park Stage will star the world’s finest rally drivers, and the WRC title battle is really heating up ahead of the championship’s UK round. Estonia’s Ott Tänak is being closely tailed by French six-time champion Sébastien Ogier in the standings so it’s all to play for ahead of Oulton Park’s evening entertainment.

Others to look out for include Belgium’s Thierry Neuville, plus two top talents from our own shores in Kris Meeke and Elfyn Evans. Meek has earned a reputation as one of the championship’s most exciting drivers to watch, whilst Evans is a former winner on home soil after coming out on top just two years ago. The other headline name taking to the bespoke route will be 2003 WRC Champion Petter Solberg, who is heading onto the stages one last time as part of his farewell tour.

The stage will comprise a rapid 2.5-mile burst around the circuit itself as well as the venue’s interior access roads and rally driving experience routes. Major highlights will include the 360-degree ‘Dayinsure Donut’, and the water splash which will sit right in front of the spectator banks. The stage will take place under darkness too, adding another element of drama, with plenty of pyrotechnics to light things up along the way.

The WRC’s return to Oulton Park is set to be about much more than just the headline competition though, with a full afternoon and evening of entertainment on and off the stage. This will include DJs and appearances from rally legends including two-time WRC champion Marcus Gronholm, Colin McRae’s former co-driver Nicky Grist, and McRae’s father and fan favourite Jimmy.

There will be a free-of-charge Dayinsure Funzone too, with a range of fairground rides available for all ticket holders, plus opportunities for fans to meet the drivers too in a dedicated autograph session open to all spectators.

Oulton Park will also pay homage to Wales Rally GB’s heritage, with an exclusive display organised in association with Autocar magazine to celebrate the 75th running. This display, which can’t be seen at any other stage of this year’s rally, will feature everything from a Lanchester of the sort which won the first running in 1932, to Colin McRae and Richard Burns’ former Subaru Imprezas.

Fans of McRae are in for a particularly special treat as one of his Imprezas returns to the stages, with Olympic cycling hero Sir Chris Hoy behind the wheel.

The event’s evening scheduling makes it perfect for an after work motorsport fix, but those who can get along earlier in the day will be rewarded with plenty to see and do. Early arrivals can enjoy stunt action in the Monster Energy Action Arena, with hair-raising drift driving from three of the drinks manufacturer’s finest: Steve ‘Baggsy’ Biagioni, Luke Woodham, and Tessa Whittock. The trio will be joined by Gymkhana precision drivers, with action from shortly after gates open at 3pm.

The WRC cars will take to the stage at 5.10pm for a public recce too, offering fans a rare extra glimpse at the top-level machines in the early evening.

Tickets for this event are ONLY AVAILABLE IN ADVANCE for £25 with FREE entry for under 16s. Please call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.oultonpark.co.uk before midnight on Monday 30 September to book!