Rui Jorge Fernandes will be competing in this Rali da Madeira with the intention of “having fun and staying in the middle of the leading pack. This is our first time participating in this race with a car like ours. There are many competitors with good cars, and I have no idea where we will fit in the rankings. We will start at our usual speed and, depending on our position, set our objectives and goals for the event. We have prepared carefully, both physically and mechanically, and we will be approaching this rally as a test for the next season, in which we hope to be even more competitive”.

At 35 years of age, Rui Jorge Fernandes made his rally debut in 2008 with a Skoda Fabia TDi. He did not always participate regularly in the championships but focused on two-wheel drive cars and was champion in that category between 2020 and 2022 at the wheel of a Renault Clio R3T. In 2024, he drove a Renault Clio Rally4, and this season he is driving a Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. He has already won a stage at the absolute level and is fifth in the regional championship for this category.