"I'm motivated"

Adruzilo Lopes returns to the Rally Vinho da Madeira, a competition he won in 2001, in a Peugeot 208 R2. The driver is feeling motivated. As he puts it: "Since 2010 that I haven't driven a vehicle with rear traction. I did a small test and was happy with the car. I'm feeling enthusiastic. I'll drive some more kilometers around Madeira before the competition, all this so that, after dirt, I'll be trying out the Kuhmo tyres on tarmac, a terrain on which I hope it is a good bet. As a sports goal, I hope to manage the best possible result within the two driving-wheels car users and, also, to try to become the best amongst those who have traditional R2. We will have to wait for the Rally to see where we fit".  Currently at 57 years old, Adruzilo Lopes debuted in motor-racing in 1988 in a Toyota Corolla. He then went to drive at the wheels of other models, but it was between 1996 and 2001, the period in which he was running under the banner of Peugeot's official team in Portugal, that he achieved his best results. He has maintained, since then, a regular presence on the "roads" of motor-racing sports, driving a great range of vehicles such as Renault Clio R3 or the Porsche 997 GT3. He became the absolute national champion in 1997, 1998 and 2001, and obtained the national title on two-driving-wheels in 2010, as well as the GT one in 2016.  

RVM legends: “Janica” Clemente

For many years "Janica" Clemente was the last Madeiran to win the Tour of the Island, how the Rally Vinho da Madeira was first named. The driver managed the feat in 1975, in the edition that immediately succeeded a pause on the organization of the event, due to the Oil Crisis of 1974. Almost another 30 years had to pass so that another Madeiran, Vítor Sá, would win. The driver's triumph only came to reinforce his popularity in the archipelago, since he was already quite revered not only for his friendliness, but also for his amazing driving capacities, filled with many power slides. João "Janica" Clemente Aguiar was born in Funchal at the end of the 1930's and built a career in motor-racing always associated with Ford. His main results were conquered in the 1970's driving cars such as Ford Cortina Lotus and the two Ford Escort RS 1600 versions. As many other Madeiran drivers of the time, he was well positioned in the rallies ran in the Canary Islands. The driver retired from competitions quite early and came to pass away at the beginning of 2018 from a prolonged illness.

Fighting for victory

João Silva is back in action in a Rally Vinho da Madeira in which "the goal is the same as last year's, to fight for victory. This time we will ride an up to date car, and we think we have gathered the means and resources necessary to do it. We want to ride the best we can. Of course, we will have to adapt quickly to the vehicle, which is still unknown to us, and, also, we [are aware that we] haven't been active in some time. Nonetheless, that's part of the game". The 32 year old driver started motor-racing in 2007 in a Toyota Yaris. The following year he went on to drive a Citroën C2R2. In 2009 he acquired a Renault Clio R3 and, with this model, which he kept up to 2016, he went to become regional junior champion in 2009 and 2010, as well as taking part in the Portuguese two driving wheels championship, the following year. In the meantime, he took part, in 2012, in some stages of the WRC, in a Ford Fiesta R2. Between 2017 and 2019 he drove a Citroën DS R5 with which he obtained his absolute triumphs in regional rallies and became the absolute regional vice-champion in both 2017 and 2018. In this edition, he will be debuting a Skoda Fabia R5 Evo.  

RVM legends: Lancia 037

  As for the world of motor-racing in general, the Lancia 037 is a car that will forever linger in the memory of Madeirans. The Italian model ceased competing in 1982, its debut year, but, between 1983 and 1986 it won the competition twice and rose to the podium another six occasions. Its metallic noise and its characteristics Pininfarina lines did not go unnoticed whenever Lancia Rally, its official name, was invoked. Nonetheless, it would be better known by its Abarth project number, 037. Announced in 1982, Lancia Rally 037 was the result of a common project between Abarth, Pininfarina and Dallara. At a time when integral traction was becoming the norm, it came to bet in the maximal rationalization of a vehicle with rear traction in the spirit of the group B. Its dimensions were reduced (3,9 m x 1,85 m x 1,25 m) and its weight was very close to the minimum allowed, at 960 kg. It had a four cylinder engine, in line, with 1.995 cc and a power of 515 horses in its injection version. For overfeeding, it used a Roots volumetric compressor which, in detriment of its potency,  

RVM legends: “Zeca” Cunha

The first driver to manage a winning at Rally Vinho da Madeira was "Zeca" Cunha. The driver managed the feat at the gear of a Triumph TR4 in 1965. Besides his outstanding speed, Cunha had an irreverent posture that helped him build his fame. The driver was, to an entire generation, a symbol of speed and, also, an example of reverence and behavior that stood out from what was the norm at the time. "Zeca" Cunha was born in 1944 and started practicing motor-racing at the beginning of the 1960's. He drove vehicles such as Triumph TR4, with which he won the Rally, a Ford Cortina Lotus, a Renault 8 Gordini and an Opel GT. His speed captured the attention of the responsible for Gordini, who invited him to race abroad under the Renault branch. The driver passed away in the second half of the 1980's of sudden death.    

Workshop for Control teams

A workshop is taking place which is directed to the control teams taking part in Rally Vinho da Madeira. It is a practical workshop intended to revise the established procedures in the event of regrouping and stressful situations. At around 7 p.m. a general meeting, directed at Controlers, Special Stage chiefs and Road Commissioners, will take place. Both the workshop and the meeting will take place at Dr. Horácio Bento de Gouveia School.

Material is delivered following sanitary measures

   The distribution of material to the competitors enrolled in RVM 2020 has started already. This will take place at Dr. Horácio Bento de Gouveia School throughout this weekend. During this process, all measures recommended by the Health Authorities are being taken into account: temperature measuring, mask wearing, constant disinfection and social distancing. The materials being handed out to competitors are: some itinerary handbooks, maps, competitors and teams' identifiers, assistance and auxiliaries plaques, competition numbers, publicity stickers and important information regarding documentation, technical details for the race itself as well as the service park.

RVM legends: Ferrari 308 GTB

  The mythical house of Ferrari won the Rally Vinho da Madeira in 1962 with the godlike Ferrari 250 of Horácio Macedo, but it would be the 308 GTB that would come to capture the attention of the regional public. Taking advantage of the confirmation, in group 4, of the model, the French dealer of the Italian brand decided to invest in its application on tarmac. In that context, Jean-Claude Andruet was in Madeira and fought for victory in 1981 when he was forced to retire due to a problem concerning fuel. As a result, the beautifully designed model, with its smooth lines by Pininfarina, ended up being withdrawn from the list of classics shining at the competition. Ferrari 308 GTB was produced between 1975 and 1985, having a length of 4.22 m, a height of 1,12 m and measure 1,72 m wide. The engine, positioned at the center in the rear end of the vehicle, was a 8 cylinder in V, with 2.927 cc and the power of 315 horses when competing. One of its singular characteristics was his bodywork in fiberglass which would help to limit its weight to no more than 1050kg.

Fighting for victory

  José Pedro Fontes states that the goals, in this Rally, are those of previous years: "to be the first amongst those competing for the Portuguese championship and to try and fight for absolute victory. If I win at the general level, I will be winning for the Portuguese Rally Championship (CPR). Since 2014, only in 2019 did I fail to be the best amongst national drivers. [I] Won the rally at the absolute level in 2016 and do want to keep that tendency. I will be facing this competition with that in mind. It won't be easy, since the competition is very strong and Madeiran drivers are clear favourites".  Fontes is 44 years old and premiered in motor-racing in 1997 in a Seat Ibiza GTI. He kept his allegiance to this model up to the end of the 1990's, but has since then officially represented many brands, being at the driving wheel of vehicles such as a Fiat Punto Kit-Car, a Renault Clio S1600, a Fiat Punto S2000 and, more recently, a Citroën DS3 R5. He also competed in other disciplines in which he won many national titles. He still represents the French brand, now at the wheel of a Citroën C3 R5. He was the FIA Iberian Rally Trophy winner in 2016 and a rally national champion in both 2015 and 2016.  

Signing of a cooperation protocol with the Municipality of Funchal

  The Municipality of Funchal and the organizing committee of Rally Vinho Madeira signed, this morning, a cooperation protocol through which the Municipality concedes a direct subvention of 27.500€, as well as logistic support in the manner of both materials and personnel.  Rally Vinho Madeira is the second Stage of the FIA calendar and, therefore, all attention will given to the competition as a way to greatly intensify the projection of both the Region of Madeira and the City of Funchal, as well as, the Rally itself. Given this, the Organizing Committee's central focus is to assure that the Rally is successful when it comes to security, organization, as well as, in terms of public health.  José Paulo Fontes, president of the Organizing Committee, and Miguel Gouveia, mayor of the Municipality of Funchal, stand united in appealing to the sense of responsibility of spectators and the public at large. According to Miguel Gouveia: "we will have to continue being an example of good behavior and common trust. It is in our hands the capacity to offer a sense of trust to the outside".

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