A TOP car rally could pump £1.5 million into the Newport economy over the next three years.

Rally Evolution (formerly the Lombard Rally) will start and finish at Tredegar House in November this year.

Organisers describe it as the UK's hardest rally with cars set to drive through some of Wales' toughest terrain.

They hope the event will grow alongside Newport with the city set to be its permanent host venue for the next three years.

The rally has been run in its current form since 2004 and was hosted by Harrogate last year, with the route taking competitors to Scotland and back to Yorkshire.

Event director Kenny Owen said: “We had around 4,000 spectators for the final day in Harrogate. If we can get a similar amount in Newport, with hotels, food and fuel, it will pump around £500,000 into the economy.”

Not to be confused with the Wales Rally GB, the event features 120 cars that have a maximum engine capacity of 1.4 litres. Fiestas and Rover 200s take part in an endurance race covering 1,300 miles in four days.

An historic car event runs alongside it where Minis, Escorts, Saabs and Cortinas take part.

This year’s route is still being planned, but it will take drivers from Tredegar House towards Cwmcarn before heading up the Heads of the Valleys road, towards Abergavenny and the English border. It will then pass through mid Wales, Glynneath and then to Aberystwyth.

The race, run between November 12 and 14 will have overnight stays in Aberystwyth and Llandrindod Wells. Competitors will return to Newport for a final presentation evening at Tredegar House.

Mr Owen added: “Newport is the gateway to Wales and there are fantastic routes around the area. Millions are being spent here and the event can grow with the city.”

He added: “It is also close to the Severn Bridge, which gives the event a big catchment area.”

The event passed through Caerwent in 2004 and in 2007 former Newport Mayor Allan Morris watched a stage at the Newport Velodrome.

He said: “It’ll be a big boost for the economy and put Newport further on the map as a sporting venue. It shows how many strings to the bow the city has, with the world class velodrome for cycling and Ryder Cup already coming here.”

Newport City Council cabinet member for regeneration Ed Townsend also welcomed the move. He said: “It is good the event is staying here for three years as it will develop an identity with Newport and grow in popularity.”

St David's Foundation Hospice Care is the event's official charity. For details, visit www.rally-evolution.com.

Newport City Council said there will be no road closures in Newport during the event.