Welsh food and drink producers gear up for Get Connected Rali Ceredigion

There will be plenty of Welsh food and drink to savour when Aberystwyth welcomes the motorsport world for the Get Connected Rali Ceredigion next week (September 3rd – 4th).

Attracting motorsport enthusiasts from Wales, the UK, and beyond, the rally’s organisers anticipate an attendance of around 25,000 spectators.

To cater for hungry fans and give Welsh producers a valuable opportunity to showcase to a new audience, the Cywain Fine Food Cluster has created a pop-up Food Hall.

Located on the grounds of St Michael’s Church in the heart of the dedicated spectator area, the Food Hall will be open on Saturday (September 3) from 12 noon to 10 pm and forms part of a range of activities planned for Aberystwyth town centre to celebrate the rally.

Six Welsh food and drink companies will be featured – Ridiculously Rich by Alana, The Authentic Curry Company, Trailhead Fine Foods Ltd, Welsh Brew Tea, Edwards of Conwy, and Radnor Hills Mineral Water Company Ltd.

The producers are members of the Cywain Fine Food Cluster, which supports established Welsh food and drink businesses keen to drive business growth through networking and collaboration.

The Food Hall builds on a relationship which began in 2019, when, following changes to the Road Traffic Act, Get Connected Rali Ceredigion became the first timed special stage rally to take place entirely on closed public roads in Wales.

Clusters Team Leader, Sioned Best, said, “We’re delighted to bring some of Wales’ best-known producers to what is sure to be a tremendous spectacle in Aberystwyth. This is a fantastic opportunity to provide refreshment and showcase Welsh food and drink to a new audience and to grow our partnership with Get Connected Rali Ceredigion at this flagship event.”

The rally is part of four separate championships, and has been selected as a round of the British Rally Championship, Protyre Asphalt Championship, FIA European Rally Trophy and Tour European Rally – attracting drivers from across the UK and Europe.

Among famous names from the motorsport world due to take part in the Get Connected Rali Ceredigionis Hyundai New Zealand World Rally Championship driver Hayden Paddon, who will be in car number one. The full list of drivers will be announced shortly with a number of top drivers from Wales included in the starting line-up.

Phil Pugh, Chairman of Get Connected Rali Ceredigion organising team, said, “It is fantastic to be working with the Cywain Fine Food Cluster again to offer our spectators the chance to try some great Welsh food and drink. Get Connected Rali Ceredigion is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Wales to the motorsport world. It is important that we show different aspects of our culture and creativity too – so I’m sure those who visit the Food Hall will be suitably refreshed and impressed!”