Club Sports da Madeira: Continuity and Ambition

Today was a day of decisions for Club Sports da Madeira, marked by the holding of two General Assemblies that outlined the Club’s future. The first Assembly unanimously approved, by the members present, the Report and Accounts for the 2024 financial year, highlighting the Club's solid and rigorous management. Next, the Electoral General Assembly re-elected the current leadership for the 2025–2027 term. The sole list, headed by President José Paulo Fontes, ensured continuity in the Club’s governing bodies. Luís Miguel Sousa will remain President of the General Assembly, while Miguel Sousa will take over leadership of the Supervisory Board. As a continuity list, Club Sports da Madeira reaffirms its commitment to the values and history that set it apart. The challenges and goals for the next three years, though grounded in the Club’s prestige, aim toward innovation and growth. One of the main goals of the new board will unsurprisingly be the development and promotion of young athletes from Madeira. The Club is strongly committed to youth and the projection of young talent, maintaining this as a top priority to ensure the athletic and personal development of future generations. At the same time, organizing international events will remain a major focus for the leadership. Major names such as the Rali da Madeira, the Rally Madeira Legend, and the Rali da Calheta will continue to be flagship events for both the club and the region, drawing national and international attention and contributing to the local economy. With this re-election, Club Sports da Madeira strengthens its position in the regional sports scene, promising a future full of challenges and achievements.

Rali Vinho da Madeira Reborn as Rali da Madeira in 2025: A New Era for a Rally Steeped in Tradition

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.

RVM 2024 with a financial impact of over €10 million

A press conference was held today to present the results of the media monitoring study of the Rali Vinho da Madeira. The data presented is based on the analysis of metrics with scientific rigour and accredited methodologies. The financial impact generated by Rali Vinho da Madeira exceeded €10 million, an increase of around 25% compared to the previous year. These figures were obtained by measuring the AVE (Advertising Value Equivalent). José Paulo Fontes, President of the Organising Committee, stated that ‘these results are enlightening about the impact of Rali vinho da Madeira on the media and the regional economy’, and that it is also ‘an excellent promotional vehicle’. The data was presented by Francisco Freitas, from the company Presspower, who highlighted the positive results of Rali Vinho da Madeira's reach, with a significant increase in the media coverage of the event. Internationally, great emphasis was placed on the notoriety and positivity that the event created as a sporting competition. The significant number of news items carried by the regional, national and international media reached 1,178 news items, online, in newspapers and on television. This significant coverage reached an average of more than 37,000 impressions per news item, with a total value exceeding 44 million impressions. Television was one of the media that most promoted the event, through RTP Madeira and RTP International, which broadcast the event to Europe and America. Also noteworthy was the coverage by various generalist channels, which broadcast news about Rali Vinho Madeira during prime time on European television channels, enhancing the value of the event.

Joachim Wagemans overwhelming in RGT

Despite a five-year hiatus, Joachim Wagemans made a grand return to Rali vinho da Madeira. The Belgian driver drove an Alpine A110 RGT and quickly established himself in the fight for the top ten places. As far as the RGT group was concerned, he stood out from the competition early on and gained a lead that, only through some misfortune, would keep him in the lead until the finish line. Behind him, Filipe and Gil Freitas fought for the middle of the pack, but the 2013 and 2016 regional champion brought his greater experience with the Porsche 991 GT3 to bear. However, he gave up on the last stage of the event due to a fault with his ride. As a result, Gil Freitas was second in the group on his return to activity and at the wheel of an Alpine A110 RGT that he hadn't driven for a year. Miguel Andrade, making his debut at the wheel of a Porsche 991 GT3, completed the group podium.

Miguel Nunes stood out in the Madeira classification

Fourth overall, Miguel Nunes was never in a position to repeat his 2020 triumph in the Rali Vinho da Madeira. However, the driver of the Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo had a very good run for the regional championship, a competition in which he once again redressed the balance with João Silva. The latter, at the wheel of his usual Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, showed that he could fight for the overall podium, but jeopardised both that goal and his lead in the championship with the mistake in the second section. Sixth overall, Miguel Caires was unable to keep up with the two local leaders in the event organised by Club Sports da Madeira, as he had done earlier this year. Despite this, he achieved a good result in the regional accounts. Also in good form was Rui Pinto, who managed to break into the top ten of the rally very early on. Also in evidence were Gil Freitas, in this new appearance with an Alpine A110 RGT, and José Camacho, who strengthened his record of participations in the event with a Skoda Fabia R5.

Armindo Araújo was the best for CPR

Among the competitors in the Portuguese championship, victory in Rali Vinho da Madeira went to Armindo Araújo, at the wheel of a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. The driver came under attack from José Pedro Fontes, who was very strong in his Citroën C3 Rally2 on the second special stage, but who dropped out in the last special stage of the event due to an accident. Previous leader of the CPR, Kris Meeke was delayed by problems with his Hyundai i20N Rally2 and was only seventh in the championship standings. With these premises, Araújo is the new leader of the national championship. The CPR podium also included Ricardo Teodósio, who once again wasn't on top form on the island, and Ernesto Cunha with a Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo.

Rui Jorge Fernandes dominated two-wheel drive

In the world of front-wheel drive two-wheel drive vehicles, Rui Jorge Fernandes shone. The Renault Clio Rally4 driver quickly built up a big lead over the competition and was even able to manage that lead at some stages of the race. The Autocam driver reached the last control 1 minute and 49 seconds ahead of second-placed Hugo Lopes in a Peugeot 208 Rally4, the best in the national championship accounts in this category. Vasco Silva, a driver who until now had done his best in the regional category, in another Renault Clio Rally4, didn't have enough to fight with his rival and was third, also with some time lost to a puncture. Also in the top five were the Spaniard Unai de la Dehesa and Gonçalo Henriques. Vítor Sá and Miguel Garcia, both in Peugeot 208 Rally4s, had good performances and were in the top positions while in the race.

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