New safety measures have been introduced for the Network Q rally after 13 spectators were injured during last year's event.

Sue Sanders-Peppitt: In charge of spectator safety

More than 150,000 people are expected to watch the sport's top drivers in action over 17 stages which begins on Thursday and takes place at locations across south east and west Wales.

Organisers say only people with tickets will be allowed in to watch the stages.

For the first time a dedicated spectator safety officer has been appointed, who will work alongside an event safety officer.

The four-day event - the final round of the World Rally Championship - is based in Cardiff for the second year in succession, and stages will also be run across south west Wales.

It is a dangerous sport and it is also up to spectators to look out for their own safety as well

Sue Sanders-Peppitt, spectator safety

Organisers have introduced a number of measures to prevent a repeat of last year's incident in which a 13-year-old girl suffered a broken leg.

The accident happened when Carlos Sainz's car came off the track on a bend in the Brechfa forest in Carmarthenshire.

Sue Sanders-Peppitt is in charge of spectator safety for this year's event.

She said: "There has been a lot of good safety practice over the years but we have introduced consistency to the whole event.

"We have tried to allow people to be as close to the action as is deemed acceptable.

'Exciting'

"It is a dangerous sport and it is also up to spectators to look out for their own safety as well.

"People who buy tickets for the events want to get something exciting out of it and we have to guarantee that they can see something.

"What we have done is to pick viewing areas for their excitement and then make them as safe as possible.

"They will only be allowed on the outside of a bend if there is a high back there.

"Forest Enterprise has also put in place walkways between special viewing areas so people don't go on the competitive routes to the next vantage point and trees have been cleared to provide better views," she added.

Nearly 4,500 voluntary marshals will be on duty during the rally - fewer than last year because spectators will be limited to the designated viewing areas within stages.

The new safety measures include:

• Dedicated spectator safety officer
• Ticket only entry
• Registered marshals
• Designated spectator viewing areas
• Forest walkways
• Risk assessment of viewing areas