Good classification for the championship

Armindo Araújo debuts a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 in Madeira. The national champion says that "Rali Vinho da Madeira is a race that we know well and that is very demanding, very technical. Above all, we want to have a good rally and finish in the top positions. The main candidates for victory are the drivers from Madeira and our goal is to be in the fight for victory for the CPR and collect good points for that championship. This edition will be even more challenging due to the debut of our car on these roads. We don't have a set-up base for this model yet and that will require us to work even harder to get an interesting configuration. We'll have to work hard but that's not what's getting us down..."  Araújo is 45 years old and his first rally was in 2000 with a Citroën Saxo VTS, the year he won Promotion. The following year he won the Saxo Trophy with the same car. Since then he has represented Citroën, Mitsubishi and Mini and has won many titles. He was world Production champion in 2009 and 2010 and seven times absolute national champion. National titles were won in 2003 and 2004 with a Citroën Saxo Kit-Car, in 2005 and 2006 with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR, 2018 at the wheel of a Hyundai i20 R5 and 2020 and 2022 in a Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. He is fourth in the Portuguese Rally Championship.

Signing of Protocol between Funchal City Council and Club Sports da Madeira

A cooperation protocol was signed today between Club Sports da Madeira and the Funchal City Council, an agreement whose purpose is financial cooperation, support with technical and logistical means for RVM 2023. In financial terms, the support of the municipality is around € 51,800.43 (fifty-one thousand, eight hundred euros and forty-three cents), part of the amount: € 1,815 (one thousand eight hundred and fifteen euros) will be allocated to the "Young Athlete" programme and € 49,985.43 (forty-nine thousand nine hundred and eighty-five euros and forty-three cents), for the organisation of the Rali Vinho da Madeira 2023. Pedro Calado, Mayor of Funchal, emphasised the importance of the event, with a very high international scope and great importance for the city of Funchal, both for the special races that take place on Avenida do Mar and in the Ecological Park, and for the location of the podium, Park Fermé and Service Park. José Paulo Fontes, President of the Organising Committee, took the opportunity to apologise to the people of Funchal and to thank them for their understanding, for the constraints on the mobility of those who circulate in Funchal, with between 25 000 and 30 000 people expected to attend the first Special stage "Funchal City".

Taking no risks

Spanish driver Diego Ruiloba is making his debut in a Citroën C3 Rally2 at Rali Vinho da Madeira, a competition that "I've only heard of and it's one of the most beautiful rallies in the world, which has been in the European Championship and where the best drivers have been. Competing against the locals is very difficult. Our aim is to drive as many kilometres as possible and get to know the car better, with a view to our main concern, which is the Spanish Championship. Everyone tells us that it's a very difficult rally but we're not going to take any risks because our aim is to get round and we don't care if we're fourth or fifth." Ruiloba is 22 years old and took his first steps in rallying in 2019 with a Peugeot 208. He was always in the top places in his class. In 2021 he was at the controls of a Suzuki Swift Sport and won the absolute level and among junior drivers in the trophy set up by the Japanese brand in Spain. Last year the car used was a Peugeot 208 Rally4 and he won the Peugeot Iberian Rally Cup. As a prize, this year he is defending the colours of Citroën with a C3 Rally2 and is fifth in the Spanish championship after climbing the podium twice.

Best on two-wheel drive

João Silva returns to Rali Vinho da Madeira with a Peugeot 208 Rally4 and his goal is to be "the best among the users of two-wheel drive vehicles. Last year we achieved that and we would like to repeat the success. In 2023, we also have the opportunity to join the Peugeot Rally Cup Iberica and this will create another point of interest because we will face opponents who, although young, have already demonstrated their value and have great paces. In that context, nothing is guaranteed. I think that in the two-wheel drive category the competitors with identical cars to ours should prevail, which will require us to apply ourselves to make up the difference". João Silva is 35 years old and made his debut in the sport in 2007 with a Toyota Yaris. He went on to drive a Citroën C2 R2 but it was with a Renault Clio that he became regional junior champion in 2009 and 2010. With the same car, he was national two-wheel drive champion the following year. In 2012, he made a foray into the JWRC world championship with a Ford Fiesta R2. In 2017, he started driving a Citroën DS3 R5 and with this model he obtained his first triumph in Machico and climbed the absolute podium of Rali Vinho da Madeira for the first time.

Madeira Casino opens its doors again for the RVM 2023 Autograph Session

Madeira Casino will once again welcome motorsport enthusiasts for the expected Autograph Session. A moment that is very pleasing to the public, who can interact with the teams participating in the 2023 Rali Vinho da Madeira. The autograph session takes place on 01st August between 9.30 p.m. and 11 p.m., as the space opens from 7.30 p.m., but the last entry will be at 10.30 p.m. Bearing in mind the number of registrants and in order to expedite autograph requests, entries will be made at two different points in the enclosure. The fans will also have the opportunity to see up close 40 of the machines that will be on the Madeiran roads participating in RVM 2023.

RVM Clerk of the Course message - Pedro Melvill de Araújo

Greetings RVM 2023 Hello everyone. On the first weekend of August, tradition demands that Rali Vinho da Madeira will be held, undoubtedly the biggest socio-sporting event in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.  It is an event of firm credits, one of the brightest stars in the universe of European rallies, as well as in the national and regional overview.  It has remained a reference event for many decades, usually counting on drivers from various European countries, joined by drivers competing in both the Portuguese Rally Championships and the Madeira Coral Rally Championship, in a competition that usually attracts thousands and thousands of Madeirans to the roads of this marvellous Madeira Island. This year is once again challenging for the Organising Committee: we have reduced the number of Special Classification Stages, increasing the average mileage in order to maintain the total number of kilometres in Special Stages - the iconic Avenida do Mar show on Thursday evening, the Madeira Stadium "jump" is back, the beautiful passage through Chão da Lagoa, the rearranged Carvalhal crossroads in the Ponta do Sol Special Stage, this year with a different configuration, since the road goes up to Paúl da Serra, and then, in connection, down to Calheta where a totally new Special Stage will also be disputed, extremely technical and with many points where spectators can access to watch. Our viewers have always been an example in their civic behaviour and tireless in their support for the drivers and the rally organisation, and it is, after all, for them that we also work, because if without drivers there is no rally, without the public there is no show. Before the Avenida do Mar, on Thursday afternoon, we will have the Presentation Ceremony of the competitors, in the podium installed in Praça do Povo. In the following two days they will drive the four corners of the Island, heading through all the Municipalities of Madeira, guaranteeing spectacle and gathering, controlled with all the safety standards, and also sanitary, prescribed by the Regional, National and International Authorities. This year we will reinforce the environmental sustainability standards, as recommended by FPAK and FIA. As usual, I recommend everyone to watch the rally, close to the emotion, but far from danger, asking the Madeirans to have, as always, a remarkable behaviour to brighten this event that is not just from Madeira, but is for Madeira. Thank you all.  Have a great Rali Vinho da Madeira 2023 Pedro Melvill de Araújo  

Message from the Clerk of the Course of the RVM 2023

Greetings RVM 2023 Hello everyone. On the first weekend of August, tradition demands that Rali Vinho da Madeira will be held, undoubtedly the biggest socio-sporting event in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.  It is an event of firm credits, one of the brightest stars in the universe of European rallies, as well as in the national and regional overview. It has remained a reference event for many decades, usually counting on drivers from various European countries, joined by drivers competing in both the Portuguese Rally Championships and the Madeira Coral Rally Championship, in a competition that usually attracts thousands and thousands of Madeirans to the roads of this marvellous Madeira Island. This year is once again challenging for the Organising Committee: we have reduced the number of Special Classification Stages, increasing the average mileage in order to maintain the total number of kilometres in Special Stages - the iconic Avenida do Mar show on Thursday evening, the Madeira Stadium "jump" is back, the beautiful passage through Chão da Lagoa, the rearranged Carvalhal crossroads in the Ponta do Sol Special Stage, this year with a different configuration, since the road goes up to Paúl da Serra, and then, in connection, down to Calheta where a totally new Special Stage will also be disputed, extremely technical and with many points where spectators can access to watch. Our viewers have always been an example in their civic behaviour and tireless in their support for the drivers and the rally organisation, and it is, after all, for them that we also work, because if without drivers there is no rally, without the public there is no show. Before the Avenida do Mar, on Thursday afternoon, we will have the Presentation Ceremony of the competitors, in the podium installed in Praça do Povo. In the following two days they will drive the four corners of the Island, heading through all the Municipalities of Madeira, guaranteeing spectacle and gathering, controlled with all the safety standards, and also sanitary, prescribed by the Regional, National and International Authorities. This year we will reinforce the environmental sustainability standards, as recommended by FPAK and FIA. As usual, I recommend everyone to watch the rally, close to the emotion, but far from danger, asking the Madeirans to have, as always, a remarkable behaviour to brighten this event that is not just from Madeira, but is for Madeira. Thank you all. Have a great Rali Vinho da Madeira 2023 Pedro Melvill de Araújo

Special thanks to the sponsors with history in the presentation of the List of Entries

It was at the headquarters of Empresa de Cervejas da Madeira, one of the oldest sponsors of the motorsport events organised by Club Sports da Madeira, that the regulatory disclosure of the List of Entries with the respective participation numbers in RVM 2023 was made. The president of the club and also of the Rally Organising Committee, José Paulo Fontes, made a point of highlighting the long-standing partnership with ECM, the event's host company, Empresa Madeirense de Tabacos, MEO Empresas, and Banco Português de Investimento - BPI, whose loyalty has, in his words, manifested itself unconditionally, being a stimulus for those who have the responsibility of organising the biggest sporting event in the Region year after year. A special word of recognition was also addressed to the Regional Government and the Municipal Councils of the island of Madeira. Regarding this year's event, José Paulo Fontes said that "for many years there has not been such a great pulse around Rali Vinho da Madeira. Not only externally but also internally. He emphasised the participation of practically all the drivers who are competing in the different championships. Madeira has a record number of entries in the Peugeot Rally Cup Iberica competition, he emphasised. Regarding the number of entries in the 2023 edition of the RVM, he recalled that it was necessary to make a request to the FIA, which authorised an addition to the regulations. At the press conference, the president of Rali Vinho da Madeira OC announced the availability of more than 2,000 seats at the opening Special Stage on Avenida do Mar, and tickets for some stands, namely at Rotunda Sá Carneiro, are already sold out. According to the president of Rali Vinho da Madeira OC, the high number of registered teams forced the organisation to pay special attention to some operational aspects of the pre-rally programme. For example, in the busy autograph session to be held, as in recent years, in the Madeira Casino park, only 40 vehicles may be on display. However, all drivers and their navigators will be present at this always exciting contact with the public. The autograph session is one of the great moments of Rali Vinho da Madeira, being undoubtedly one of the barometers of the affection that the Madeirans have for their rally of choice.

Rali Vinho da Madeira Podium is ready for the caravan

The podium of Rali Vinho da Madeira is ready to receive the caravan of 85 competitors registered in the Club Sports da Madeira organisation that will hit the road on August 3rd. The podium set up in Praça do Povo, in downtown Funchal, the host city, will be used for the start ceremonies, to be held on 3rd August at 4 p.m., and the consecration of the winners, on 5th August at 6.30 p.m..

Armindo Araújo with number 1 in Rali Vinho da Madeira

The national champion, Armindo Araújo, will wear the number 1 on his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 in the 64th edition of Rali Vinho da Madeira, which will be on the road between 3rd  and 5th  August. The entry list revealed today is followed by the first two classified in the Portuguese Rally Championship, Miguel Correia and Ricardo Teodósio, in Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo and Hyundai i20N Rally2, respectively. Numbers 4 and 5 were awarded to the regional champion, Miguel Nunes, and to the current leader of the Madeiran championship, Alexandre Camacho.   The list of 85 entries published by Club Sports da Madeira also includes names such as Bernardo Sousa, Diego Ruiloba, Giandomenico Basso, José Pedro Fontes, Kris Meeke, Miguel Caires, Paulo and Pedro Meireles or Simone Campedelli, in a total of 21 competitors with Rally2 vehicles. In addition to the models used by the competitors with the lowest numbers, vehicles such as the Citroën C3 Rally2, Ford Fiesta Rally2, Skoda Fabia R5 and Peugeot 208 T16 will also compete on the island.   As part of the FIA European Rally Trophy, the Portuguese Rally Championship and the Madeira Coral Rally Championship, Rali Vinho da Madeira promises a lot of competition, in addition to the fight of the first positions at the absolute level, of the top places in each of these competitions. In 2023, there is also the prospect of excitement brought by the 18 teams with Peugeot 208 Rally4 of the Peugeot Iberian Rally Cup. The many spectators will also appreciate the 5 competitors with Porsche 991 and 997 GT3 and Alpine A110 RGT.   The entry list for Rali Vinho da Madeira can be found here.

Going “Straight”

Ricardo Teodósio returns, with a Hyundai i20N Rally2, to Rali Vinho da Madeira, a competition in which he wants "the best possible result, the best ever. It's not an easy race. I don't even include the last rally winners in my accounts. I want to be in the fight to win the Portuguese Championship. My team-mate, Kris Meeke, doesn't know the rally well but he always has to be considered. We came to Machico to see how we were doing and things weren't working as we wanted. We kept improving and by the end we were close to José Pedro Fontes, but still far from the frontrunners. We have to get back to the good form of Machico and know how to wait. I also have to make sure I ride "straight". And, once again, I'd like to thank our sponsors and the many fans I have for their support". Ricardo Teodósio is 47 years old and made his rallying debut in 2001 with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III. In several versions of the Japanese model, he quickly became known for his spectacular driving and, among several class titles, he was South regional champion in 2010 and 2011. He was national champion in 2019 with Skoda Fabia R5 and 2021 with Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. He currently represents Hyundai in Portugal and is second in the national championship.

Racing without pressure

Vítor Sá makes his debut behind the wheel of a Peugeot 208 Rally4 in Rali Vinho da Madeira. In these circumstances, "we'll first see what the car is worth because I don't know it and I've never driven it. I will only discover the car, from the Enjolras team, at the shakedown and, in the race, I will try to get to know the car metre by metre. I know it's a model with potential but first we'll have to adapt it and improve it to our style. In this rally I will also have a new co-driver, Victor Calado. Despite so much novelty, we chose to be in the Peugeot Iberian Rally Cup because we thought we should be part of this competition so disputed. However, given the constraints, I will race without any pressure regarding results". Winner of the Rali Vinho da Madeira in 2004 with a Peugeot 306 Maxi, Vítor Sá is 58 years old and his debut in rallies took place in 1988 with a Renault 5 GT Turbo. He has been behind the wheel of models such as Toyota Corolla GT, Toyota Celica GT-Four, Ford Sierra Cosworth, Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Opel Corsa A GSi, Renault Clio Williams, Renault Mégane Maxi, Subaru Impreza 555, Subaru Impreza S5 WRC, Peugeot 306 Maxi, Peugeot 206 S1600, Renault Clio S1600, Fiat Punto S2000, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, Peugeot 207 S2000 and, for the last five years, Citroën DS3 R3T. In addition to numerous class titles, he was absolute regional champion on 11 occasions, in 1992, between 1999 and 2007 and in 2011.

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