Sandro Teixeira sets off for Rali da Madeira “taking the championship into account, but determined to fight for the best positions in the two-wheel drive category. In this race, we will also be part of the Peugeot Rally Cup Iberica, where we would also like to be among the leaders. We will try to stay ahead in this rally, in which new opponents are coming in from outside, and we will have to see how they evolve and set new benchmarks. Basically, it will be an even greater challenge, which I hope will go well for everyone”. At 40 years of age, Sandro Teixeira made his rally debut in 2022 with a Toyota Yaris. Later that year, he switched to a Citroën C2 R2, which he used until the end of last season. He always achieved good results within the class and in 2024 he was runner-up in the Eng. Rafael Costa Trophy. This season he is at the wheel of a Peugeot 208 Rally4 and leads the Madeira championship for two-wheel drive vehicle users.

Carlos Ferreira will be competing in Rali da Madeira with his usual Opel Corsa Rally4. The goal is to "reach the finish line without any mishaps. However, we are always concerned with being in a good position in the standings. We also want a good position in the championship. Not so much in the two-wheel drive category, where it is difficult to move up, but in the RC4 group. This is also a race where we have opponents from outside, with whom and whose cars we can compare ourselves. It requires good physical and psychological training, it is more laborious and I will still have to worry about helping my daughters. It's a pity that Boaventura didn't come back..." Carlos Ferreira is 45 years old and made his rally debut just two years ago with a Citroën DS3 R1. He then drove a Peugeot 306 S16 and a Peugeot 208 R2, the car with which he finished the 2023 season and used in all his races in 2024. In 2025, he is at the wheel of an Opel Corsa Rally4, which made its debut in the last event of last year's championship. Ferreira is currently in second place in the regional two-wheel drive championship and the RC4 group.

The 66th edition of the race organised by Clubs Sports da Madeira debuts a new name, Rali da Madeira. This is the third name the event has had since its creation. A history of promotional and/or commercial imperatives as well as trends. The race was born in 1959 as part of the desire to promote the destination and adopted the name Volta à Ilha da Madeira em Automóvel (Tour of Madeira Island by Car). In an internationally French-speaking world, it was fashionable to adopt and translate the famous ‘Tour’ from other places, and the very idea of a tour of Madeira attested to a road network that, not long ago, allowed road traffic around the island and connected all the municipalities. With the participation of national drivers, the event took the name of the destination to the whole of Portugal right from its debut. The race gained international fame and all Madeirans knew it simply as A Volta. However, the paradigm changed and the rally became part of the European championship for the sport. With even greater international repercussions, it was decided to promote one of Madeira's most sought-after products, its wine. In 1982, a year of transition, the race had a double name, but in 1983 it became known as Rali Vinho da Madeira. Here too, the trend that was prevalent throughout the world at the time, in which alcoholic beverages were still associated with the world of motor racing, was followed. In 2025, we will have Rali da Madeira. This change aims to take the event to new heights, reinforcing its international prestige and its impact on the regional economy and the promotion of tourism in Madeira. This is also an international trend, with events changing the names they grew up with and became known by to ones that represent a region or country. It also gives them the name they often had outside the island. For the people of Madeira, it will be a new exercise in adaptation. In their many conversations about the rally, after suppressing ‘A Volta’ for ‘Vinho Madeira’, now it will be time to forget the ‘Wine’. At least in those conversations...

The 66th edition of Rali da Madeira was presented this afternoon at the headquarters of Club Sports da Madeira, the entity that has been organising the event since 1959. José Paulo Fontes, president of the organising committee, thanked ‘the unconditional support of the Madeira government for this event, which promotes Madeira and mobilises the population’. He also recalled ‘all the support from the Funchal City Council, not only for its financial support but also for its collaboration in all the logistic operations’. Fontes then spoke about the rally, "which maintains the same structure, except for the fact that it has two fewer stages. Due to the consequences and constraints of being held in a residential area, we have removed Câmara de Lobos. Despite this, the competitive length of the rally remains almost unchanged as we have added Ponta do Sol, a timed section in the Madeira style, from the sea to the mountains, from Madalena do Mar to Paúl da Serra. Due to the size of the caravan, Praça do Município in Funchal was no longer large enough to accommodate the closed parks, which in 2025 will be in the Savoy car park. Although registration is still open, we currently have around 96 entries. We had structured the entire rally for 85 participants. So many teams mean more than an hour and a half of competitors passing through the stages, which may force us to review the closure and opening of roads at the last minute. We therefore advise spectators to arrive early to ensure their safety. This edition will feature 25 Rally2 cars and, in addition to the Portuguese and Madeira Championship drivers, Diego Ruiloba and Simone Campedelli will also be taking part. Helena Leal, councillor for the Funchal City Council, congratulated the organisation for setting the bar so high. In 2025, the municipality will continue to provide not only financial but also logistical support for this event, which raises the profile of Madeira and Funchal around the world. This is also proof of the dynamism of our people. José Manuel Rodrigues, Regional Secretary for the Economy, expressed his “satisfaction at once again supporting Rali da Madeira, this time through the Regional Secretariat for the Economy. This is a celebration of sport and an event in the life of the population and the regional economy. The rally has a major positive impact on the entire region, not only in terms of cohesion but also in promoting Madeira. This context justifies the support provided, which had not been reviewed or updated for some time. All that remains is to call on everyone to take the utmost care to ensure that this rally is another success.”

Discounted Registration for the 2025 Rali da Madeira Closes Tomorrow The deadline for discounted registration for the 2025 Rali da Madeira ends tomorrow, June 30th, at 5:00 PM. The event, organized by Club Sports da Madeira, will take place from July 31st to August 2nd. Registrations will still be accepted until July 14th, but without any discount during that period.

The iconic Rali Vinho da Madeira will be renamed Rali da Madeira starting with its 2025 edition, marking a new phase for Portugal’s oldest rally, consistently organized by the same club. The name change, along with other new developments, aims to elevate the event to new heights, reinforcing its international prestige and its impact on Madeira’s regional economy and tourism promotion. The main reason for the name change stems from the need to adapt to restrictions and bans on alcohol advertising in motorsports—a global trend aimed at promoting a safer and more responsible environment. By removing the reference to "Vinho", Rali da Madeira aligns with current international sports practices, protecting its image and ensuring its long-term continuity. The event, which in 2025 will celebrate its 66th edition, is a source of pride for Madeira and for the centenary Club Sports da Madeira, which holds the organizing license. Its longevity is a testament to the affection and unconditional support of the Madeiran people over generations, making Rali da Madeira a true celebration of motorsport that encourages broad participation and stimulates the regional economy. This year’s edition of Rali da Madeira comes with an increase in public funding. With the new structure of the Regional Government, the Regional Secretariat for the Economy has taken over the rally’s budgetary oversight, recognizing the event’s role as a key driver of economic growth and tourism promotion on the island. This strategic alignment seeks to maximize the return on public investment. The increase in the subsidy is justified by the lack of updates over the past eight years—a period during which the costs of organization, logistics, safety, and event control have risen significantly, and are crucial to maintaining the high standards of quality and safety the rally is known for. With its new name and increased financial backing, Club Sports da Madeira has set ambitious goals. Its priority is to preserve and strengthen the international prestige of the "Rali da Madeira" brand and maintain its iconic reputation as one of the best tarmac rallies in Europe. To achieve this, it is essential to ensure the participation of top foreign drivers and teams. The 2025 edition will introduce a few key changes. Filipe Sousa will take on the role of rally director, replacing Pedro Melvill de Araújo. As for the course layout, the number of special stages will be reduced from 15 to 13, with the Câmara de Lobos stage being removed. Rali da Madeira 2025 has confirmed its inclusion in the Peugeot Rally Cup Ibérica, a series designed to attract young drivers from Portugal and Spain, featuring competitive and accessible Peugeot 208 Rally4 vehicles. Additionally, Club Sports da Madeira is in talks with the promoters of the Renault Clio Trophy Portugal, aiming to include this single-make cup in the official 2025 calendar. With all these new developments, Rali da Madeira 2025 promises to deliver a memorable edition, further consolidating its status as one of the island’s most significant sporting events and a true icon of both national and international motorsport.