We are in the week of the irresistible road trip for the Madeiran public to another edition of our motor racing event, now called “Rali da Madeira”.

The stage is set and the eyes of the fans are already buzzing around the Service Park and the passage of the teams and cars through technical checks.

It is a game of precision full of variables. From tyre set-up to the smallest technical adjustments. From the skills of the driver to those of the navigator. Each team is an orchestra, which needs to be in tune to compete with its direct opponents to the thousandth of a second.Added to this game of precision is the spectacular nature of each competition car passing by and the excitement it generates in the public, who for generations – since the 1960s – have gone in large numbers to the roads of our beautiful island every year, with a significant impact on boosting the local economy.

This edition presents, as we all know, important changes, based on the renewed ambition of the organisation – Club Sports da Madeira – regarding the international prestige of Rali Vinho da Madeira, which is being followed, as it should be, by my Executive.

Thus, the 66th edition of Madeira's premier motor racing event, which is unquestionably an icon of national and international motor racing, will now be called “Rali da Madeira”, benefiting from significant financial support from the Regional Government, with a view to aligning resources with the organisation's objectives in order to strengthen the emblematic image of the now “Rali da Madeira” as one of the best asphalt races in Europe.

There is no rally without the undeniable passion of the Madeiran public. Therefore, every year I renew my vows that we may enjoy our rally enthusiastically and always safely.