The legendary Welsh forests are ready to welcome a capacity and star-studded 160-car entry into Wales Rally GB, the 13th and final round of the 2015 FIA World Rally Championship.

Building on the huge success of recent years' events, this season's spectacular features a fan-friendly three-day route. It comprises 19 competitive special stage speed tests - totalling 193 miles - all run against the clock on a challenging mix of traditional gravel forest tracks and parkland roads.

After a dazzling Opening Ceremony on Mostyn Street, Llandudno on Thursday evening, the intrepid crews face a marathon leg in mid-Wales on Friday. The weekend's action is closer to the Deeside Service Park and includes the popular RallyFest at Chirk Castle (below middle) and the return of the iconic Great Orme on Sunday. The winners will be crowned in front of the teams and fans back in the Deeside rally hub on Sunday afternoon.

Heading the entry list is 2013, 2014 and 2015 World Champion, Sébastien Ogier (main above). Having just clinched a hat-trick of titles, the gifted 31-year-old Frenchman will be the one to beat on an event he has won for the past two years. Ogier, though, isn't the only past winner targeting further success. His Volkswagen Motorsport team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala has also lifted the coveted Peall Trophy and, with no team orders, is sure to provide stiff opposition.

No British driver has won the event since the late Richard Burns completed a hat-trick of triumphs back in 2000 but, with Elfyn Evans (below top row) and Kris Meeke (below second row) among this season's front-runners, another famous home victory may not be that far away. Meeke won in Argentina and Evans finished second more recently in Corsica.

Adding to the competition, Hyundai Motorsport is fielding a four-car entry and is locked in a battle with Meeke's Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT outfit for second place behind the all-conquering VW Motorsport in the Manufacturers' Championship. Ex-F1 star Robert Kubica is another to watch.