Vasco Silva is taking part in the Rali Vinho da Madeira with the usual Renault Clio Rally4 and he wants to ‘try to be at the front of that class. That's our goal, but we'll have to see how strong the competition is from outside the island and how the car behaves, as we'll be using all the upgrades available for the model we're driving in this event. We're in a very good position in the championship and that's the result of all the excellent work carried out by the team. Our results have been above expectations. In this rally, the tactic is to see what the new evolution of the engine is like, as well as to check some of the changes we've made to the car's set-up based on our recent experience with the Peugeot.’ Vasco Silva, son of the driver of the same name, is 32 years old and made his rallying debut in 2015 with a Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9. That very year he won his first title, among those driving VSH. Between 2016 and 2018 he was at the controls of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, with which he was group champion in the model's last year of use. He returned to the sport in 2024 and is the clear leader in the two-wheel drive competition.

Drivers, co-drivers and representatives of the teams entered for the 2024 edition of the RVM have been passing through the rally's Operations Centre since early this morning to collect all the materials provided for in the race regulations. Plates with the number assigned in the entry list, stickers with the regulatory advertising, RVM badges and merchandising created for RVM 2024 are being delivered. This operation will run until 6 pm.

The Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Economy, Tourism and Culture, continues to support the Madeira Sports Club for ‘Rali Vinho da Madeira’, which this year is the 65th edition. The Autonomous Region of Madeira stands out as a unique tourist destination, internationally recognised. And in this context, high-profile events, such as this motor racing event with over six decades of history, are fundamental to consolidating the positioning of the archipelago, increasing its notoriety abroad and diversifying the tourist offer aimed at different segments of the public. Each edition of the rally allows locals from Madeira and Porto Santo to relive their passion for this competition, contributes to the passion for this competition, as well as boosting the local economy throughout the island, resulting in a significant economic impact on the region. Therefore, recognising the importance of the rally for Madeira, the Regional Government would like to express its gratitude to Club Sports da Madeira. The commitment and dedication of its management and team, who organize and run the event every year with remarkable skill and determination, are worthy of praise and recognition. We hope that the 2024 edition of the rally lives up to everyone's expectations and that it takes place safely, contributing to its success, which will also be for the Autonomous Region of Madeira.     Eduardo Jesus                                                                                                                   Regional Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Culture  

As usual, the 66th edition of Rali Vinho da Madeira will be on the roads during the first weekend of August. Once again, the event has everything it takes to honour its historic and popular reputation and be a great success, which is, in fact, the hallmark of this important and historic event in European, national and regional motor sport. This time, there will be more than 80 entrants, in a list of drivers that brings together several big names, regional, national and international, in this sport that Madeirans are so passionate about, who make this event a real party, but never forgetting the most basic rules of civility and safety, fundamental in a race of this nature, which also captivates thousands of spectators, who literally follow it with passion, from start to finish. As Mayor of Funchal, I would like to remind you that the municipality supports this sport as much as possible. Furthermore, one of the events that attracts spectators the most is undoubtedly Avenida do Mar Super-Special Stage Although Rali Vinho da Madeira is an international event, it is also a very important vehicle for promoting the Autonomous Region of Madeira and Funchal. It also has a tremendous economic impact, particularly on the municipalities and localities, as can be seen from the dynamics that surround the places where the event takes place. Being so, I can't help express my satisfaction that environmental sustainability is a strong concern of the organisation of this event, which is why the Rally2 (R5) fuel will be 100% synthetic and free of polluting gases, as well as the elimination of plastic tapes. In this field and living in a time when environmental sustainability and reducing our ecological footprint is one of the most important legacies we can leave for future generations, I would also like to appeal for the collaboration of the thousands of spectators of the 65th edition of the Rali Vinho da Madeira, especially with regard to "waste production", specifically reducing the use of plastic and taking the utmost care to leave it in the appropriate containers. I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the competence and professionalism of the organisation of Rali Vinho da Madeira, which is doing everything it can to set an international example, with the support of the Regional Government, but also of the municipalities, including Funchal City Council. Having said that, I'm sure that, in this edition, Madeira will once again show its excellent organisational capabilities, as well as all its potential and infrastructural qualities, which make us a region with all the conditions to host and organise major events, as we do on several occasions, one of which is unequivocally Rali Vinho da Madeira. I can't finish without saying a few words to our spectators, who are extraordinarily passionate about the sport, reaffirming the importance of civility and safety, so that together we can make this edition of Rali Vinho da Madeira another great success. Finally, to all the teams and all the participants, but also to all those who take part and collaborate, often voluntarily and passionately, so that our Rali Vinho da Madeira is always a success, I would like to wish you an excellent rally and my special and heartfelt thanks for everything you give to this sport. Cristina Pedra Mayor of Funchal

The Rally Talks begin today at Plaza Madeira. Drivers Rui Conceição and João Silva will be chatting to journalist Miguel Guarda from JM Madeira about ‘Rallies Past and Present’. The initiative will take place on Level 2 at 6pm.

The entry list for the 2024 edition of Rali Vinho da Madeira was presented today. The event took place at the headquarters of Empresa de Cervejas da Madeira, the event's official sponsor. The President of the Organising Committee, José Paulo Fontes, took the opportunity to once again appeal to the public to maintain ‘a civic stance in defence of the rally's international image, which also involves the way Madeirans enthusiastically experience this event, which is a party’. This year's Rali Vinho da Madeira has an excellent entry list, with 85 teams, so ‘all the ingredients are in place for it to be a very competitive rally’. The organisation wants to offer an excellent spectacle, but it also wants to offer maximum safety, which is one of the main concerns ‘whatever the driver's number, the control of the race is the same for everyone’. As well as appealing to the public, he also thanked all those who might be inconvenienced by the conditions resulting from the race passing through the various municipalities in the region for their understanding. At the conference, José Paulo Fontes also thanked all the sponsors who have maintained their support for the RVM, leaving the certainty that Club Sports da Madeira and the Rali Vinho da Madeira Organising Committee will do everything possible to ensure that the support given is returned.

Armindo Araújo is returning to Rali Vinho da Madeira behind the wheel of a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 and he wants, ‘above all, to have a good race. We'll be thinking mostly of collecting lots of points for the Portuguese Rally Championship, but I'd like to be on the absolute podium. That's always very difficult because the drivers from Madeira are very strong. The season has been going well for us, we're second in the championship. On this rally in particular, we're going to try to set a good pace and maintain it until the end. We know we can't afford to make any mistakes, all the special stages are very important. The tactic, however, is to drive hard from start to finish.’ Aged 46, Araújo has been rallying since 2000, when he made his debut in a Renault Clio 1.8 16V. He is one of the Portuguese drivers with the richest and most extensive CV. He was Production world champion in 2009 and 2010 (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X), seven times national champion, in 2003 and 2004 (Citroën Saxo Kit-Car), 2005 and 2006 (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) 2018 (Hyundai i20 R5), 2020 and 2022 (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo).