Simone Campedelli was the fastest driver in the opening stage of Rali da Madeira, a race of the FIA ERT and the Portuguese and Madeiran championships of the sport, which will be on the road until next Saturday. The Italian, driving a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, completed the route through downtown Funchal packed with spectators with a time of 1:34.9, finishing the first of three days of competition in the event organised by Club Sports da Madeira in the lead.

The best national driver and also of the CPR, Armindo Araújo, in a car identical to the leader, finished second, 0.2 seconds behind the leader, and is followed by the British driver Kris Meeke, driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally 2, 0.4 seconds behind. The 2024 race winner, Spaniard Diego Ruiloba, in a Citroën C3 Rally2, is fourth, 0.7 seconds behind, and is trailed by the highest-ranked Madeiran driver, João Silva, in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. The top seven finishers, which also include Dani Sordo in a Hyundai i20N Rally2 and Miguel Nunes in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, are separated by just 1.8 seconds.

Tomorrow, August 1st, the second day of competition in Rali da Madeira will take place, consisting of a double run through the Campo de Golfe stages, at 10:25 and 15:20, Palheiro Ferreiro, at 11:10 and 16:05, and Santana, at 12:20 and 17:15. The day also includes four runs through the service park located on Avenida Sá Carneiro and Cais 6 of the Port of Funchal.

Simone Campedelli is the leader of Rali da Madeira