Iwan Davies BBC News Online

BBC News Online's Iwan Davies waiting for a spin in a rally car

There is just six weeks and three rounds to go before this final round of the World Rally Championship 2003 with the race is really hotting up with several drivers still in with a chance of being crowned world champion.

Taking place from 6-9 November, it covers 1,690km over 18 stages in south and mid Wales, through rugged forest tracks and harsh mountainous country.

I was given the chance to experience at first hand the thrills of rally driving I was driven along the SuperSpecials track in Cardiff Bay which will host three nights of racing during the event.

Having never been in a rally car before, I didn't quite know what to expect as I sat in the co-drivers seat kitted up in overalls and a fetching crash helmet with images of Steve McQueen in Le Mans flashing through my mind for some bizarre reason.

Seb Ling drove the Mitsubushi Evo around the track

My future was in the hands of driver Seb Ling, 23, from Llandysul, as we sped off in his Mitsubushi Evo, 2 litre turbo charged, 4x4, 300 horsepower car, which can reach a speed of 120mph in six seconds.

It was terrifying. A pure adrenalin rush as my life passed before my very eyes as we thundered off at a breakneck speed leaving a trail of dust in our wake and careered through a water obstacle and hairpin bends.

But Seb did a sterling job and brought me back in one piece after an exhilarating ride.

The rally is a big event and is considered one of the most challenging and exciting rounds on the World Championship circuit and last year attracted 120,000 fans.

The SuperSpecials track has a grandstand with seating for 2,300 and standing embankment for 15,000 spectators.