Message from the Mayor of Funchal for the 2024 edition of the RVM

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

Fighting for victory in the two-wheel drive

Hugo Lopes returns to Madeira in a Peugeot 208 Rally4 and hopes to ‘fight for victory in the two-wheel-drive category, while focusing on the two Peugeot mono-brand competitions. I did this rally for the first time in 2023, it's a very beautiful rally and I'm looking forward to it and I want to be even more competitive. The year has been going well, we're leaders in the Peugeot Cups and we want to win to keep that lead. Rali Vinho da Madeira has very different characteristics to the ones we usually compete in and is very demanding due to the different weather conditions between stages. The knowledge of the special stages makes a difference and I hope that all the experience I gained last year will be an advantage and allow us to achieve our goals more easily. I think everything is in place for a memorable edition.’ Lopes is 27 years old and took part in his first rally in 2015 with a Citroën Saxo Kit-Car. In 2016 and 2017 he was mostly behind the wheel of a Citroën DS3 R1 and since 2018 he has been competing in Peugeot's mono-brand competitions, both with the Peugeot 208 R2 and, from 2021, the Peugeot 208 Rally4. He was Portuguese junior champion in 2023 and this year he's leading the Peugeot Rally Cup Ibérica and Portugal.

We have a Rally with an excellent entry list

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.

Kris Meeke with number 1 on Rali Vinho da Madeira

Leader of the Portuguese championship, Briton Kris Meeke will have the number 1 on the doors of his Hyundai 120N Rally2 in the 65th edition of the Rali Vinho da Madeira, which will be on the road from 1st to 3rd August. The second-placed driver in the championship, Armindo Araújo in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, and the event's record winner, Alexandre Camacho in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, are also in the same category. The list of 85 entrants revealed today by Club Sports da Madeira also includes names such as José Pedro Fontes, Ernesto Cunha, Ricardo Teodósio, João Barros, Pedro Meireles, the Spaniard Diego Ruiloba, the Italian Simone Campedelli, the Belgian Joachim Wagemans and the Madeirans João Silva, Miguel Nunes and Miguel Caires. In terms of vehicles, the 18 Rally2s stand out in a field that also includes models such as the Citroën C3 Rally2, Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, VW Polo GTi R5 and Skoda Fabia R5. As part of the FIA European Rally Trophy, the Portuguese Rally Championship and the Madeira Coral Rally Championship, Rali Vinho da Madeira promises plenty of competition, as well as a fight for the top positions in each of these competitions, in the groupings and the Peugeot Rally Cup Ibérica. The large public will also enjoy the 4 teams in Porsche 991 and 992 GT3s and 2 in Alpine A110 RGTs.

Trying the podium

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).

Poster promotes Rali Vinho da Madeira

One of the most important tools for promoting and publicising Rali Vinho da Madeira is its poster, which has been a collector's item since the first edition in 1959 and whose images have accompanied generations of motorsport enthusiasts and the event that was once called “Volta à Ilha da Madeira”. In keeping with the tradition of recent decades, the poster for the 65th edition of the race organized by Club Sports da Madeira is by sculptor Ricardo Veloza.

It's going to be a beautiful rally

Spanish driver Unai de la Dehesa is coming to Rali Vinho da Madeira with the goal, ‘as in all other events, of doing my best. I don't have much information about the rally. I know it's on an island and not much else. But I'm keen to gain experience. From what I've been told, the special stages are very fast, so I'm sure we'll enjoy it. However, it's certain that the drivers from the island will be very fast and so will our Portuguese opponents. In that scenario, I want to be the best of the Spaniards in the Cup. The balance of the year is positive, you couldn't ask for much more. We're first in the Peugeot Challenge. I'm really looking forward to a good rally in Madeira, which I think is going to be very beautiful.’ Unai de la Dehesa is 26 years old and made his rallying debut in 2018 with a Suzuki Swift, a model he used until 2021 and with which he regularly stood on the junior podium of the respective mono-brand competition. In 2022 he was at the controls of a Renault Clio Rally5 and was Spanish Under-24 champion. Last year he drove a Renault Clio Rally4 and in 2024 he got behind the wheel of the Peugeot 208 Rally4. He is third in the Peugeot Rally Cup Ibérica and leads the Spanish Peugeot Challenge.

Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 makes its debut in Madeira

One of the curiosities of the 65th edition of Rali Vinho da Madeira will be the participation, in the hands of Alexandre Camacho, of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, a model that will cover its first kilometres on the island at the event, as well as in tarmac races in the national championship. The Japanese brand's model is the latest to be homologated by the group on 1st January this year. The racing car was developed within the manufacturer's European structure and is based on the same series model. It's the shortest car in its category at 3,995 mm, but its width and height are within the group's usual parameters, as are the SADEV 5-speed gearbox and the weight limited to 1,230 kg. The Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 is the only car in its category with a 3-cylinder engine, as all the others have an additional piston. If this feature has limited some Rally4 models on an island with as many slopes as Madeira, one of the technical doubts of Rali Vinho da Madeira is how the car created with the help of Juha Kankunnen will measure up against the competition.

Best possible result

National champion Ricardo Teodósio returns to Madeira with a Hyundai 120N Rally2 from the Korean brand's national team. The driver from the Algarve hopes to achieve ‘the best possible result’ at Rali Vinho da Madeira. Our greatest wish is for things to go well because, over the last few years, there has always been something happening that hasn't allowed us to be at the level we wanted. These are the contingencies of rallying, but some people are more fortunate than others. Like most of our opponents, we have a good knowledge of the rally but I've never been able to be at 100 per cent. However, I really enjoy the rally and we set out with the goal of getting as many points as possible for the Portuguese championship. This is a season that hasn't gone well for us and, against this backdrop, I just have to say thank you for all the support I continue to receive from people, my team, my family and all rally followers in general.’ Teodósio is 48 years old and his first steps in rallying date back to 2001 with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III. In a career in which he has gathered a large number of fans for his spectacular performance and poise in the races, he won the Southern regional championships in 2010 and 2011 and was national champion in 2019, in a Skoda Fabia R5, 2021 with a Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo and 2023 in the current Hyundai.

Best result in Copa Peugeot

After a few months of inactivity, Vítor Sá returns to competition in Rali Vinho da Madeira with  Ricardo Ventura in a Peugeot 208 Rally4. His aim for this event, which he won outright in 2004 with a Peugeot 306 Maxi, is to ‘finish in a good position in the Peugeot Rally Cup Ibérica, a competition I'm in again this year. We won't have any worries in the field of two-wheel-drive vehicles because we know that, at least in events with the characteristics of Madeira, there are drivers with cars that are much more competitive than ours. As far as the Peugeot ‘trophy’ is concerned, in 2023 I didn't know the car and this year I once again have the disadvantage of only having competed in two rallies and having to gain pace. Anyway, I'm betting on a good result’. Sá is 59 years old and took part in his first rally in 1986 with a Renault 5 GT Turbo. As well as numerous group or class titles, the driver has won 11 outright regional titles, in 1992 with a Ford Sierra Cosworth, in 1999 in a Subaru Impreza 555, in 2000 and 2001 at the wheel of a Subaru Impreza WRC, between 2002 and 2004 in a Peugeot 306 Maxi, in 2005 with a Peugeot 206 S1600, 2006 in a Renault Clio S1600, 2007 using a Fiat Punto S2000 and 2011 with a Peugeot 207 S2000.

Rally talks at Plaza Madeira

Plaza Madeira will host a series of Rally Talks in the days leading up to the event. Two guests will relive their experiences at Rali Vinho da Madeira, sharing memories with the public. The initiative kicks off on 25 July at 6. P.m. with the theme ‘Rally Past and Present’. On 26th July, at 6 p.m., the women will talk about the Rally. On 27th July, the talks will take place at 1 p.m., with the theme ‘Behind the Scenes at the Rally’. On Sunday 28th, also at 12 p.m., the ‘New Rally Generation’ will be discussed. The initiative ends on the 29th, at 6 p.m., with the theme ‘Rally on the Road’. Rui Conceição's Ford Escort RS Cosworth, which won Rali Vinho da Madeira in 1994, 1995 and 1996, will be on display on the 2nd floor of Plaza Madeira.

Simone Campedelli full of pace

Italian driver Simone Campedelli, enrolled in Rali Vinho da Madeira with Tania Canton in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, should be one of the drivers arriving on the island with the most competitive pace. The transalpine duo took part in and won the Rally Internazionale del Casentino just over a week ago and will be taking part in the Rally di Roma Capitale later this week, the fifth event of the ERC 2024. Campedelli has taken part in the last two editions of Rali Vinho da Madeira and his best result was fourth place in 2023.

Porsche 992 GT3 makes its debut

Rali Vinho da Madeira is expected to be the stage for the world rally debut of the Porsche 992 GT3. The start of the German model's road racing career will be led by the Paulo Mendes/Roberto Figueira duo. The competitive baptism has already taken place several times, but the guaranteed presence of the brand's technicians in Madeira next week should guarantee that the ‘roar’ of the latest version of this cult model will be appreciated by the crowds that always follow the event organized by Club Sports da Madeira. The Porsche 992 GT3, presented at the end of 2020 in its road version, features an evolution of the 3,996 cc horizontally aspirated six-cylinder engine that already equipped the 991 GT3, now producing around 510 horsepower. The massive use (70%) of aluminium in the body means that the car weighs just over 1,200 kg.

Pages

Subscribe to Front page feed