Rúben Rodrigues will be participating in Rali da Madeira for the first time this year. The Azorean champion's goal is to "score as many points as possible for the national championship. We face all the difficulties of a debut in this rally with such specific classifications. But we are ready to give it our all. We have everything we need and we are motivated and confident. Being in Calheta was important because I was unfamiliar with the asphalt in Madeira. It was also very rewarding because we managed to set some interesting times. The rallies in Madeira require excellent terrain reconnaissance and precise notes, which is sometimes very difficult due to the number of tourists circulating during reconnaissance. It's a huge challenge."

The Auto Açoreana driver is 40 years old and has been rallying since 2009, when he made his debut with a Citroën Saxo Cup. The driver's career was built ‘from scratch’ and in 2018 and 2019 he became the Azorean two-wheel drive champion at the wheel of a Peugeot 208 R2 and a Peugeot 208 Rally4. In 2021, he moved to the wheel of a Citroën C3 Rally2, achieving his first victory and also his first overall regional title. He would go on to become champion again in 2023 and 2024 with two versions of the Skoda Fabia, rally2 Evo and RS Rally2. In 2025, he is competing in the national championship and has already shown on several occasions the speed he so often displayed in the neighbouring archipelago.