Getting into the best possible rhythm

Filipe Freitas returns to action in this Rali da Madeira and intends to “get back into the best possible rhythm. I would like to be ahead of the Porsches and also the RGT group, but that is more difficult. We have already seen that the Alpine is quite strong on Madeira’s asphalt and is also driven by a very fast driver. However, we will try our best and see where we stand in terms of the overall classification. Depending on our classification, we will be able to set new challenges and goals. Due to what happened in Machico, we were out of a few races, but I think we will quickly overcome any lack of pace”. Freitas is 53 years old and made his rally debut in 1998 with a Citroën AX GTi. In the following two years, he stood out in a single-brand competition with Citroën Saxo and then moved on to drive more competitive cars. He achieved his first overall victory in 2005 with a VW Golf IV Kit-Car. He was Madeira champion in 2013 with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X and in 2016 at the wheel of a Porsche 997 GT3. Since 2019, he has been using the current Porsche 991 GT3 and was regional champion of the group in 2020 and 2022.

‘Rally Talks’ are back at Plaza Madeira

Rali da Madeira enthusiasts can now mark their calendars for ‘Rally Talks,’ which will return to Plaza Madeira between 24 and 28 July 2025. The initiative promises five days of enriching debates and behind-the-scenes discoveries from the world of rallying, serving as an appetiser for the race. The 2025 edition of ‘Rally Talks’ kicks off on 24th  July at 6 pm. The theme will be ‘The role of the navigator in rallies’. Discover the secrets of the co-driver's role, which, although it may vary depending on the team structure, requires in-depth knowledge of reconnaissance, roadbooks, control charts and the general regulations of the sport. A unique opportunity to understand the vital importance of these professionals. On 25th July, also at 6 pm, the conversation moves behind the scenes of television broadcasts with ‘What's behind the cameras in Rally broadcasts’. A professional from RTP Madeira will reveal how everything is coordinated to ensure that the images and commentary reach viewers' homes with high quality. On 26th July, at noon, get ready for an inspiring topic: ‘Growing up in rallies’. The idea that ‘the apple doesn't fall far from the tree’ will be explored, analysing how a passion and talent for rallying can be inherited and developed from generation to generation. On the day previous to the last day of talks, 27thJuly, at 12 noon, ‘What's behind a rally car’ will be revealed. In a sport where every tenth of a second counts, meticulous work in preparing the car is crucial to victory. Experts will try to uncover the exact percentage of success that lies in the technical team's behind-the-scenes work. To conclude the initiative on 28th July, the talks will be from the organisation's point of view with the theme ‘The different functions and elements in the running of the Rally’. Discover how controllers, safety officers and technical commissioners, among others, play specific and essential roles in ensuring a competitive, safe and fair rally. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your knowledge and passion for the world of rallying. Admission is free, and the ‘Rally Talks’ promise to rev up the engines for the big Rali da Madeira event.

Getting the best possible result

Ricardo Sousa returns to Rali da Madeira with ‘the best possible result’ in mind. I only competed in the race in 2023 and loved it. So, expectations are high and we are very excited. The competition will be very strong and our opponents will also have the advantage of knowing the route well. However, I hope we can fight for the top places. In this rally, the weather conditions are always uncertain, and it would also be good if there were no surprises. We will use our experience from 2023 and change the way we work in order to find a good basis for a rally that is different from those we usually participate in." Sousa is 30 years old and started rallying in 2015 with a Citroën DS3 R1. With that same car, he was Portuguese junior champion in 2017 and, already with a Peugeot 208 R2, national junior champion in 2020. Since 2021, he has been driving the current Peugeot 208 Rally4. He is the current leader of the Portuguese Two-Wheel Drive Championship and also of the Peugeot Rally Cup Portugal.

Leading the category

Martim Nunes is making his debut in Rali da Madeira and intends to finish. “I made my rally debut in Calheta and, unfortunately, I didn't make it to the finish line. Our goal is to lead the category. However, this is a very competitive class, the competition is very strong and in this rally it will be even greater, with all the drivers coming from the Portuguese Championship. As I am taking my first steps in this sport, the rally could be quite challenging as it is long and I have no experience in this field with changing weather conditions”. The driver is 30 years old and has built a long career in karting, a sport in which he has won numerous titles and successes. His debut in competition cars took place in 2023, when he competed in a hill climb with a Citroën C2 R2, repeating the experience the following year with a Peugeot 208 R2. His rally debut came a few weeks ago with a Peugeot 208 Rally4, with which he stood out, setting very good times in his group and running among the leaders until he had to retire with transmission problems.

Fighting in the two-wheel drive category

Sandro Teixeira sets off for Rali da Madeira “taking the championship into account, but determined to fight for the best positions in the two-wheel drive category. In this race, we will also be part of the Peugeot Rally Cup Iberica, where we would also like to be among the leaders. We will try to stay ahead in this rally, in which new opponents are coming in from outside, and we will have to see how they evolve and set new benchmarks. Basically, it will be an even greater challenge, which I hope will go well for everyone”. At 40 years of age, Sandro Teixeira made his rally debut in 2022 with a Toyota Yaris. Later that year, he switched to a Citroën C2 R2, which he used until the end of last season. He always achieved good results within the class and in 2024 he was runner-up in the Eng. Rafael Costa Trophy. This season he is at the wheel of a Peugeot 208 Rally4 and leads the Madeira championship for two-wheel drive vehicle users.

Celebrating 40 years of rallying with the Master title

José Camacho celebrates 40 years of consecutive participation in Rali da Madeira. With his Skoda Fabia R5, the driver wants "as always, to give my best and be the Masters champion in this race. This championship was a very good initiative because there are many of us drivers over 50 years old who enjoy rallies. In this participation, we will maintain our method, do a lot of ‘homework’ and then try to give everything we have during the event. This year we will have fewer stages, but they will be longer. I like the new Ponta do Sol a lot, even though it demands a lot from the engine..." At 62 years of age, José Camacho made his rally debut in 1985 with a Ford Escort RS 2000. He then moved on to a Peugeot 205 GTi and it was with this model, already in the 1.9 version, that he was twice Madeira rally champion in 1990 and 1991. He then drove numerous models and, even though he did not participate regularly in the island championship, he was always at the start of the Madeira Rally, which he will do this year for the 41st time, and he holds the record for appearances in the Madeira Sports Club organisation. This year, Camacho only failed to win the Master classification in Rali da Calheta and is the clear leader of the respective championship.

A hardworking rally

Carlos Ferreira will be competing in Rali da Madeira with his usual Opel Corsa Rally4. The goal is to "reach the finish line without any mishaps. However, we are always concerned with being in a good position in the standings. We also want a good position in the championship. Not so much in the two-wheel drive category, where it is difficult to move up, but in the RC4 group. This is also a race where we have opponents from outside, with whom and whose cars we can compare ourselves. It requires good physical and psychological training, it is more laborious and I will still have to worry about helping my daughters. It's a pity that Boaventura didn't come back..." Carlos Ferreira is 45 years old and made his rally debut just two years ago with a Citroën DS3 R1. He then drove a Peugeot 306 S16 and a Peugeot 208 R2, the car with which he finished the 2023 season and used in all his races in 2024. In 2025, he is at the wheel of an Opel Corsa Rally4, which made its debut in the last event of last year's championship. Ferreira is currently in second place in the regional two-wheel drive championship and the RC4 group.

Ponta do Sol with a new special stage

One of the new features of the 66th edition of Rali da Madeira is the new route in Ponta do Sol, which will be completed twice on Saturday, 2 August. At 15.20 km, it is the second longest stage organised by Club Sports da Madeira and reflects the Madeiran hillside, going from the sea to the mountains. The timed section begins a few dozen metres above Madalena do Mar beach and ends at the Paúl da Serra plateau, after passing through Carvalhal. It is a stage with interesting features. It is almost entirely uphill, except for a small section in the Ribeira da Madalena area, and has a significant difference in altitude between the start and finish, 1,360 metres. Its layout also combines slow and technical sections with other very fast ones. The start is at an altitude of 53 metres and the timing point is at 1,413 metres. As the first half is completely new, it may allow foreign drivers to have less of a disadvantage compared to the local drivers' excellent knowledge of the route.

Rally names

The 66th edition of the race organised by Clubs Sports da Madeira debuts a new name, Rali da Madeira. This is the third name the event has had since its creation. A history of promotional and/or commercial imperatives as well as trends. The race was born in 1959 as part of the desire to promote the destination and adopted the name Volta à Ilha da Madeira em Automóvel (Tour of Madeira Island by Car). In an internationally French-speaking world, it was fashionable to adopt and translate the famous ‘Tour’ from other places, and the very idea of a tour of Madeira attested to a road network that, not long ago, allowed road traffic around the island and connected all the municipalities. With the participation of national drivers, the event took the name of the destination to the whole of Portugal right from its debut. The race gained international fame and all Madeirans knew it simply as A Volta. However, the paradigm changed and the rally became part of the European championship for the sport. With even greater international repercussions, it was decided to promote one of Madeira's most sought-after products, its wine. In 1982, a year of transition, the race had a double name, but in 1983 it became known as Rali Vinho da Madeira. Here too, the trend that was prevalent throughout the world at the time, in which alcoholic beverages were still associated with the world of motor racing, was followed. In 2025, we will have Rali da Madeira. This change aims to take the event to new heights, reinforcing its international prestige and its impact on the regional economy and the promotion of tourism in Madeira. This is also an international trend, with events changing the names they grew up with and became known by to ones that represent a region or country. It also gives them the name they often had outside the island. For the people of Madeira, it will be a new exercise in adaptation. In their many conversations about the rally, after suppressing ‘A Volta’ for ‘Vinho Madeira’, now it will be time to forget the ‘Wine’. At least in those conversations...

Tickets for the stands available from 21st July

From next Monday, 21 July, the Madeira Rally Organising Committee will be selling tickets for the stands to watch the 1st Special Classification Stage, called Cidade do Funchal.  Tickets will be sold at the Rally Operations Centre, at Escola Profissional Atlântico, in the Marina Fórum Building, Avenida Arriaga, Funchal. Tickets cost €20 each. Due to limited seating, those interested should go to the sales location in good time.

66th Rali da Madeira Edition presented

The 66th edition of Rali da Madeira was presented this afternoon at the headquarters of Club Sports da Madeira, the entity that has been organising the event since 1959. José Paulo Fontes, president of the organising committee, thanked ‘the unconditional support of the Madeira government for this event, which promotes Madeira and mobilises the population’. He also recalled ‘all the support from the Funchal City Council, not only for its financial support but also for its collaboration in all the logistic operations’. Fontes then spoke about the rally, "which maintains the same structure, except for the fact that it has two fewer stages. Due to the consequences and constraints of being held in a residential area, we have removed Câmara de Lobos. Despite this, the competitive length of the rally remains almost unchanged as we have added Ponta do Sol, a timed section in the Madeira style, from the sea to the mountains, from Madalena do Mar to Paúl da Serra. Due to the size of the caravan, Praça do Município in Funchal was no longer large enough to accommodate the closed parks, which in 2025 will be in the Savoy car park. Although registration is still open, we currently have around 96 entries. We had structured the entire rally for 85 participants. So many teams mean more than an hour and a half of competitors passing through the stages, which may force us to review the closure and opening of roads at the last minute. We therefore advise spectators to arrive early to ensure their safety. This edition will feature 25 Rally2 cars and, in addition to the Portuguese and Madeira Championship drivers, Diego Ruiloba and Simone Campedelli will also be taking part. Helena Leal, councillor for the Funchal City Council, congratulated the organisation for setting the bar so high. In 2025, the municipality will continue to provide not only financial but also logistical support for this event, which raises the profile of Madeira and Funchal around the world. This is also proof of the dynamism of our people. José Manuel Rodrigues, Regional Secretary for the Economy, expressed his “satisfaction at once again supporting Rali da Madeira, this time through the Regional Secretariat for the Economy. This is a celebration of sport and an event in the life of the population and the regional economy. The rally has a major positive impact on the entire region, not only in terms of cohesion but also in promoting Madeira. This context justifies the support provided, which had not been reviewed or updated for some time. All that remains is to call on everyone to take the utmost care to ensure that this rally is another success.”

Club Sports da Madeira: Continuity and Ambition

Today was a day of decisions for Club Sports da Madeira, marked by the holding of two General Assemblies that outlined the Club’s future. The first Assembly unanimously approved, by the members present, the Report and Accounts for the 2024 financial year, highlighting the Club's solid and rigorous management. Next, the Electoral General Assembly re-elected the current leadership for the 2025–2027 term. The sole list, headed by President José Paulo Fontes, ensured continuity in the Club’s governing bodies. Luís Miguel Sousa will remain President of the General Assembly, while Miguel Sousa will take over leadership of the Supervisory Board. As a continuity list, Club Sports da Madeira reaffirms its commitment to the values and history that set it apart. The challenges and goals for the next three years, though grounded in the Club’s prestige, aim toward innovation and growth. One of the main goals of the new board will unsurprisingly be the development and promotion of young athletes from Madeira. The Club is strongly committed to youth and the projection of young talent, maintaining this as a top priority to ensure the athletic and personal development of future generations. At the same time, organizing international events will remain a major focus for the leadership. Major names such as the Rali da Madeira, the Rally Madeira Legend, and the Rali da Calheta will continue to be flagship events for both the club and the region, drawing national and international attention and contributing to the local economy. With this re-election, Club Sports da Madeira strengthens its position in the regional sports scene, promising a future full of challenges and achievements.

Rali Vinho da Madeira Reborn as Rali da Madeira in 2025: A New Era for a Rally Steeped in Tradition

The iconic Rali Vinho da Madeira will be renamed Rali da Madeira starting with its 2025 edition, marking a new phase for Portugal’s oldest rally, consistently organized by the same club. The name change, along with other new developments, aims to elevate the event to new heights, reinforcing its international prestige and its impact on Madeira’s regional economy and tourism promotion. The main reason for the name change stems from the need to adapt to restrictions and bans on alcohol advertising in motorsports—a global trend aimed at promoting a safer and more responsible environment. By removing the reference to "Vinho", Rali da Madeira aligns with current international sports practices, protecting its image and ensuring its long-term continuity. The event, which in 2025 will celebrate its 66th edition, is a source of pride for Madeira and for the centenary Club Sports da Madeira, which holds the organizing license. Its longevity is a testament to the affection and unconditional support of the Madeiran people over generations, making Rali da Madeira a true celebration of motorsport that encourages broad participation and stimulates the regional economy. This year’s edition of Rali da Madeira comes with an increase in public funding. With the new structure of the Regional Government, the Regional Secretariat for the Economy has taken over the rally’s budgetary oversight, recognizing the event’s role as a key driver of economic growth and tourism promotion on the island. This strategic alignment seeks to maximize the return on public investment. The increase in the subsidy is justified by the lack of updates over the past eight years—a period during which the costs of organization, logistics, safety, and event control have risen significantly, and are crucial to maintaining the high standards of quality and safety the rally is known for. With its new name and increased financial backing, Club Sports da Madeira has set ambitious goals. Its priority is to preserve and strengthen the international prestige of the "Rali da Madeira" brand and maintain its iconic reputation as one of the best tarmac rallies in Europe. To achieve this, it is essential to ensure the participation of top foreign drivers and teams. The 2025 edition will introduce a few key changes. Filipe Sousa will take on the role of rally director, replacing Pedro Melvill de Araújo. As for the course layout, the number of special stages will be reduced from 15 to 13, with the Câmara de Lobos stage being removed. Rali da Madeira 2025 has confirmed its inclusion in the Peugeot Rally Cup Ibérica, a series designed to attract young drivers from Portugal and Spain, featuring competitive and accessible Peugeot 208 Rally4 vehicles. Additionally, Club Sports da Madeira is in talks with the promoters of the Renault Clio Trophy Portugal, aiming to include this single-make cup in the official 2025 calendar. With all these new developments, Rali da Madeira 2025 promises to deliver a memorable edition, further consolidating its status as one of the island’s most significant sporting events and a true icon of both national and international motorsport.

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