Since the beginning of each year, this is a moment and date eagerly awaited by all Madeirans. The first weekend of August, when, once again, the machines, drivers and co-drivers, who are the core of a new and popular edition of Rali da Madeira, this time the 66th edition, take to the road. And as has always been the rule, there is no doubt that this new edition of this historic race has everything to honour its historic and popular heritage and, once again, be a great success, attracting thousands of Madeirans to the road to watch the stages, with all the necessary precautions and in a healthy and community spirit of conviviality for this sport, which is, moreover, the hallmark of this very important and historic European, national and regional motor sport event. This is a sport and an event supported by the Funchal City Council. This support is provided with complete transparency and rigour, complying with all the rules that govern municipal government action. I would also like to remind you that one of the events that attracts the most spectators is, without doubt, the super special stage on Avenida do Mar. It is with this event, right in the heart of the city, that Rali da Madeira begins. I must emphasise that Rali da Madeira is an important sporting event and even serves as a promotional vehicle for the Autonomous Region of Madeira and Funchal, and also has a tremendous economic impact, particularly at the level of municipalities and localities, as can be seen from the dynamics surrounding the places where the event takes place. It is always worth mentioning and praising the local authority's satisfaction with the fact that environmental sustainability is a major concern for the organisation. For this very reason, and as we all live 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 also call on the thousands of spectators at the 66th edition of Rali da Madeira to cooperate, particularly with regard to ‘waste production’, specifically by reducing the use of plastic and taking the utmost care to dispose of it in the appropriate containers. I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the competence and professionalism of Rali da Madeira organisation, which does everything to make it an example at an international level, with the support of the Regional Government, but also of the municipalities, including the Funchal City Council. I am certain that, in this edition, Madeira will once again demonstrate its excellent organisational skills, as well as its full 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 undoubtedly Rali da Madeira I would like to conclude by addressing a few words to our audience, who are extraordinarily passionate about the sport, reiterating the importance of civility and safety, so that, together, we can make this edition of Rali da Madeira another great success. Finally, to all the teams and all the participants, but also to all those who participate and collaborate, often on a voluntary and passionate basis, so that our Rali da Madeira is always a success, I wish you an excellent rally and express my personal and heartfelt gratitude for everything you give to this sport. Cristina Pedra Mayor of Funchal

Alexandre Camacho is driving a Hyundai i20N Rally2 in Rali da Madeira and intends to "improve on the performance we had in Calheta. In that rally, we fell far short of expectations, and we have to be more competitive, further ahead than we achieved in the race. Therefore, we can't set a specific goal or position, but I think it will be very difficult to fight for victory. We improved the car in testing and will give our best. However, this year we will have many drivers with competitive cars. In Madeira, we already have three drivers fighting for the lead, and this rally will also feature CPR drivers and very strong foreign drivers..." The driver, navigated by Pedro Calado, is 45 years old and his first rally took place in 2001 in a Toyota Yaris. He won the FIA European Rally Trophy in 2018 and has been a regional champion seven times: in 2008 and 2009 with a Peugeot 207 S2000, in 2015 in a Porsche 997 GT3, in 2017 in a Peugeot 208 T16, in 2018 and 2019 driving a Skoda Fabia R5, and in 2023 using a Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. With six wins, he holds the record for most victories in Rali da Madeira.

Diego Ruiloba returns to Rali da Madeira and his goal is "to win the event. The rally went well for us in 2024, and we won. This year, our responsibility is greater, because anything less than victory will only worsen our result. We must try our best, because we don't want to drop or worsen. We have the advantage of knowing the route better, but on the other hand, there is a lot of competition from local drivers, who know the event perfectly, and others like Campedelli, who are very strong. This is a beautiful rally, on a spectacular island, and we can only be grateful for the opportunity they gave us to be here." The Spaniard is 24 years old and made his debut in 2019 with a Peugeot 208 1.2. In 2021, he switched to the wheel of a Suzuki Swift and won the Spanish trophy for that model. The following year, driving a Peugeot 208 Rally4, he won the Peugeot Rally Cup Ibérica. Since then, he has represented Citroën in a C3 Rally2. In 2024, he achieved his first overall victories, notably at Rali da Madeira. This season, he has competed in several WRC events in the WRC2 Challenger.

This evening, starting at 9:30 pm, the autograph session for the 66th edition of Rali da Madeira will take place in the gardens of the Madeira Casino. Open to the public, this session offers the opportunity for a passionate community and a legion of fans to mingle with the participants in the true celebration that is the event, which hits the road starting Thursday, July 31st. Many of the vehicles that will delight the many spectators throughout the weekend will be on display.

The start of Rali da Madeira 2025 brings with it several traffic restrictions in the city of Funchal, especially due to the 1st Special Qualifying Stage (PEC) – Funchal City, scheduled for July 31st. On this first day of the event, traffic will be completely interrupted between 2:00 PM and 9:30 PM on the section between the Harvey Foster Roundabout and the Cable Car Station, on Avenida do Mar and the Madeirenses Communities. The pedestrian crossing from north to south of Avenida do Mar and the Madeirenses Communities will close at 6:45 PM. The organisers urge the public who intend to attend the event to travel to their desired locations in advance and be there by 6:30 PM to avoid last-minute delays and ensure everyone's safety. From July 30th, at 9:30 pm, until August 2nd, at 8:00 pm, traffic will be interrupted on Avenida Dr. Sá Carneiro, where the event's Service Park will be installed. Access to the area will be restricted during this period, and we ask for drivers' understanding. The 2025 Rali da Madeira's Parc Fermé will be located in the Savoy Palace Hotel parking lot, which will result in temporary traffic interruptions on Rua Imperatriz D. Amélia, as well as restrictions on Beco Imperatriz D. Amélia. For more detailed information, please consult the Road Closure document published on the event's official website https://ralidamadeira.com/2025/pt/event/encerramento and on the Funchal City Council website.

Rali da Madeira championship saw its number of events increase from seven to eight this year, and promised greater excitement with the arrival of more competitors with Rally2 and Rally4 vehicles. The expectations of the sport's many fans in the archipelago were not disappointed, as competitiveness has driven the five events already held. The season opened in March in Machico, and João Silva prevailed there, driving a Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, followed by Miguel Nunes, adapting to his new car, and Miguel Caires. The championship moved to Santana in April. João Silva started in front but eventually retired after a crash. Miguel Nunes and the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 survived the deluge that hit the island's north coast better and won, followed by Miguel Caires and José Camacho in the less modern Skoda Fabia R5. The season continued on the north coast, and in May the caravan headed to São Vicente. João Silva was the initial leader but could barely resist the stronger momentum of Miguel Nunes, who won again, sharing the podium with João Silva and Rui Jorge Fernandes. June brought the Regional "circus" to Ribeira Brava. Silva once again took the lead and won the most special stages, but victory once again went to Nunes, with Silva and Caires close behind. About three weeks ago, the Calheta Rally took place. In the southwest, Miguel Caires held the lead the longest. Miguel Nunes fought back, and they started the final stage tied. The reigning champion's experience was decisive, and he achieved his fourth consecutive victory of the year. João Silva finished on the podium in his debut with the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Rali da Madeira will be the sixth round of the season, with the remaining rallies to be contested: Câmara de Lobos and Funchal in September, and Porto Santo in November. Current standings: 1st: Miguel Nunes, 130; 2nd: João Silva, 93; 3rd: Miguel Caires, 92; 4th: Artur Quintal, 62; 5th: Rui Jorge Fernandes, 59; 6th José Camacho, 47; 7th Vasco D. Silva, 24; 8th Rui Pinto, 21; 9th Paulo Mendes, 20; 10th Sandro Teixeira, 16. 60 pilots are classified.

Dani Sordo is making his Rali da Madeira debut and "I'm very excited to compete for the first time, which will be an exciting challenge given everything I'll discover throughout the event. I'll certainly be at a disadvantage compared to my opponents, but it will certainly be extra motivation to give my all and put the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 at the top of the standings. The victory in Castelo Branco gives us enormous encouragement and is the result of the work we've been doing." The 42-year-old Spaniard made his rally debut in 2001 with a Mitsubishi Carisma GT VI. In 2004, he moved to the wheel of a Citroën C2 S1600, and the following year, he won the Junior World Championship and the Spanish Asphalt Championship with that model. In 2006, he became an official WRC driver, representing Citroën and Mini, and has been driving for Hyundai since 2014. He has reached the podium several times in the main championship but has only won once, in Germany in 2013 with a Citroën DS3 WRC. In 2025, he will compete in the Portuguese Rally Championship, where he is third.