The immediate future of the Rally of Great Britain has been secured following a meeting of the World Motorsports Council in Monte Carlo.

The event only had a provisional listing in the 2003 calendar and had been put on probation after 13 spectators were injured when they were hit by Carlos Sainz's Ford in 2001.

But the Council was satisfied with the work the British Motor Sports Association (MSA) had done to improve safety, meaning that the event will go ahead on 6-9 November 2003.

Colin Hilton, the Chief Executive of the MSA, said: "We're confident we can develop the event to make it the best rally in the world."

I'm delighted with the work put in by the volunteers to improve the event and the safety of spectators MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton

A first-day stage of this year's rally was cancelled when spectators strayed onto the road, prompting further fears for the event's future.

Hilton admitted that this had worried the MSA, but in the end it turned out to their advantage.

"The Council assured us that we had made the right decision in cancelling the event and that showed them we were looking at things the right way," said Hilton.

"I'm delighted with the work put in by the volunteers to improve the event and the safety of spectators."

The race, which is being rebranded as the Wales Rally GB, has been boosted by Welsh Development Agency sponsorship for the next four years and the news that Cardiff will host the event for at least the next three.

"The critical investment and sponsorship is all coming together," said Hilton.

"A rally is one of the most complex sporting events in the world to organise.

"It is as important as the British Grand Prix, if not more so."