Thousands of fans went to the Madeira Casino gardens tonight for another Rali da Madeira autograph session. True to form, the sport's most ardent supporters—along with a public enthusiastic about the discipline and this iconic event—seized the opportunity to add "prized" autographs and other memorabilia to their collections, as well as to mingle and snap the obligatory selfies with the teams that will take centre stage on the island starting Thursday, July 30th.

The 2026 edition of Rali da Madeira will feature another important safety innovation. For the first time, speed reduction chicanes will be installed at the end of all Special Stages (PEC), a measure introduced this season by the Portuguese Federation of Automobile and Karting (FPAK).Although already foreseen in the national regulations, this will be the first time the measure is applied in a race of Ralis Coral da Madeira Championship. The chicanes will be placed approximately 100 metres before the STOP control, forcing competitors to significantly reduce their speed before stopping for the validation of their stage time. According to the Clerk of the Course, Filipe Sousa, this change aims to increase safety in one of the busiest areas of each stage. "It's an area where control personnel, security personnel, journalists, and often competitors' families are concentrated. The installation of the chicane allows for a substantial reduction in vehicle speed before reaching the STOP point, creating better safety conditions for everyone working there." Each chicane will be approximately 20 meters long and will consist of three rows of tyres, distributed in a way that forces competitors to follow a true "S" curve, naturally reducing their speed before reaching the final control point. The public should avoid standing near the chicanes. The Organising Committee warns that, after a demanding special stage, vehicles may experience high temperatures in their braking systems or even suffer mechanical problems. In highly demanding special stages, such as the Serra de Água, brake discs frequently reach extremely high temperatures, potentially compromising the braking capacity of competitors. For this reason, the public should not stand near the chicanes, and should only watch the vehicles drive from locations clearly identified as safe, always respecting the instructions of the organisation and security forces. The implementation of this measure represents another step in Rali da Madeira ongoing commitment to improving safety conditions for competitors, marshals, media and spectators. Because safety is everyone's responsibility, the organisation reinforces the main message of the event: be close to the excitement, but always far from danger.

Designed as a bridge between national championships and the ERC and WRC, the FIA ​​European Rally Trophy maintained a 15-round calendar in 2026—the same number of events as the previous year. The trophy retains a scoring system that applies a coefficient based on the number of entries in each category; this means a competitor driving a less competitive car—such as a Rally4 model—can still contend for the overall trophy victory. This has indeed been the case over the last three seasons, with two-wheel-drive car drivers emerging as winners. The trophy kicked off in mid-April with Portugal's Rali Terra d’Aboboreira, won by Japan's Takumi Matsushita in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, followed by Rúben Rodrigues in an identical car and Armindo Araújo in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. Francisco Puertas, driving a Peugeot 208 Rally4, also secured maximum points. Towards the end of May, the Rallye Český Krumlov took place in the Czech Republic; the winner was Dominik Stritesky in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, joined on the podium by Adam Brezik in an identical model and Filip Mares in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. On the final weekend of the same month, Switzerland hosted the Rallye du Chablais, won by Mike Coppens, followed by Florian Gonon and Nicolas Lathion—a podium monopolized by Škoda Fabia RS Rally2s. Yohan Surroca, driving a Lancia Ypsilon Rally4, also claimed maximum points. In mid-June, Croatia hosted the Zagreb Delta Rally, where Matteo Bernini was the top finisher in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. However, the highest points went to Janos Szilagyi and Rene Noller, both driving Peugeot 208 Rally4s. The most recent rally held was the Rajd Malopolski in Poland earlier this month. The podium was once again composed entirely of drivers in Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars: Jaroslaw Szeja, Lukasz Byskiniewicz, and Adrian Rzeznik. Jakub Ulanowski competed in a Ford Fiesta Rally3. The standings are once again led by German driver Rene Noller, who has accumulated points across three events in a Peugeot 208 Rally4. Rali da Madeira is the sixth event of the year, with the following rallies still to come: Rzeszow (Poland), Rokiskio (Lithuania), Bulgaria, Lazio-Cassino and Sanremo (Italy), Nova Gorica (Slovenia), 3-Stadte and Lausitz (Germany), and Valais (Switzerland). Standings: 1st Rene Noller, 154; 2nd Mike Coppens, 3rd Takumi Matshushita, 4thDominik Stritesky, 5th Jaroslaw Szeja, 6th Francisco Puertas, 7th Yoahn Surroca, 8th Filip Kohn, and 9th Jakub Ulanowski, 90; 10th Evren Ocay, 80. A total of 81 drivers are ranked.

It is with immense pride and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you all to the 2026 edition of the 67th Rali da Madeira. More than just a sporting competition, this is a celebration of our identity, of Madeiran hospitality and of the region’s deep connection to motor racing. It is an event that brings generations together, mobilises thousands of enthusiasts and puts Madeira on the map beyond our borders, through an organisation renowned for its quality and high standards. Since its first edition in 1959, then known as the Volta à Ilha da Madeira, this event has established itself as an indispensable benchmark in national and international motor sport. Over the decades, also under the name Rali Vinho da Madeira, it has built a legacy of excellence, underpinned by the passion, dedication and commitment of all those who have contributed to its development. Today, we carry on this legacy with the same pioneering spirit as those who laid the foundations for this extraordinary event, but with our eyes set on the future. Rali da Madeira will continue to stand out for the quality of its organisation, its sporting competitiveness, its rigour, its safety and the unique atmosphere that only our island can provide. Each special stage challenges drivers and their cars against a backdrop of rare natural beauty, where the technical demands of the roads are matched by the enthusiasm of a knowledgeable and passionate audience. It is with great pleasure that we welcome teams, drivers, co-drivers, mechanics, marshals, journalists and fans from different countries, whose presence greatly honours this organisation and enhances our rally. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the public authorities, the sponsors, the officials involved in the organisation, the rally office, the safety and emergency teams, the marshals, the volunteers and all those who, often behind the scenes, make this event possible. My appreciation also extends to the extraordinary people of Madeira, whose passion, enthusiasm and sense of responsibility make Rali da Madeira a benchmark, demonstrating, year after year, that it is possible to experience the spectacle of motor racing to the full whilst maintaining absolute respect for safety regulations. To all competitors, I wish you a competitive, demanding and safe rally, guided by the sporting spirit, mutual respect and excellence that have always characterised this event. To the thousands of fans who follow us along the special stages, I would also like to make an appeal: enjoy the spectacle responsibly, always following the instructions of the organisers and the authorities. May this 2026 edition further enhance the history of Rali da Madeira and provide unforgettable moments for everyone. Welcome to Rali da Madeira. Welcome to Madeira. Experience Rali da Madeira to the full: always close to the excitement, but far from danger. Sporting regards, The Clerk of the Course     Saudações Desportivas, O Diretor de Prova  

For 67 years, Rali da Madeira has found one of its most unique stages in our mountains. Throughout this time, it has been far more than just a competition. It has mirrored the Region’s transformation, spanned generations, and become part of a collective memory that the people of Madeira claim as their own. Perhaps that is why the Rally speaks highly about Madeira. This is a land that has always lived in dialogue with the challenges of its terrain. The mountains—which for centuries dictated paths and distances—also taught us to seek new passages, conquer steep slopes, and build solutions where others would see only obstacles. There is something in this relationship with our geography that is woven into the very character of the Madeiran people. It is hard not to recognize that same demand when we see a car finding the exact line of a mountain road at high speed; when hands merge with the steering wheel, the gaze anticipates the curve, and a split-second decision can determine the outcome of the entire race. Rallying possesses the extraordinary quality of combining technical mastery with the unpredictability of the landscape, and human precision with the force of nature. It is this combination that makes it unique. Yet, there is another dimension worth preserving. The rally is one of those great occasions when Madeira unites around a shared passion. Roads fill up, families gather, friends reunite, and different generations share the same enthusiasm. For a few days, the competition transforms into a collective celebration, and the entire island participates—in its own way—in the events unfolding on its roads and mountainsides. It is a celebration born among us, and precisely for that reason, we know how to welcome and share it. For a region’s identity is not built solely on what it preserves; it is also forged through the ability to open its doors, to welcome others, and to make its mark beyond its own borders. The Madeira Rally is a prime example of this expansion. Every year, drivers, teams, professionals, and fans arrive in the region to tackle a course known for its demanding nature and recognized for its uniqueness. And through them—and the images and attention the event generates—Madeira reaches other parts of the world as well. Our landscape ceases to be merely the backdrop for the competition and becomes an integral part of the event's own identity. It is a particularly wonderful way to showcase Madeira: not through a manufactured image, but through who we are, the territory we inhabit, and our ability to transform its characteristics into a unique experience. The Regional Government recognizes not only the sporting value of this event but also its significance for promoting the region internationally, establishing sports tourism, and boosting economic activity. That is why we will continue to support Rali da Madeira and to work alongside all those who, over the decades, have contributed to its enduring success and the prominent position it holds today. I extend my appreciation to the organisers, drivers, teams, sponsors, and everyone who makes another edition possible. To those arriving in Madeira, I bid you welcome. And to the people of Madeira, I offer a message of confidence: may you continue to experience this event with your enduring passion. After all, Rali da Madeira is a clear expression of who we are: an island region that is never insular; a mountainous land accustomed to forging new paths; a community that preserves its traditions while looking toward the future. May the 67th edition of Rali da Madeira once again be as a meeting point—between our identity and the world, between the thrill of competition and the power of the landscape, and between the memory of tradition and the capacity to renew it. And when the roar of engines is heard once more across the mountains, may we recognize in that sound not only the return of a great race but also a part of Madeira’s living history. Welcome to the 2026 Edition of Rali da Madeira.

One of the timed sections returning in this edition. It's a special stage where the classification is mostly determined by the drivers' skill, as it's very demanding with long hairpin turns and very close curves in both directions. The surface ranges from quite damp in the tree-lined area to very dry and abrasive in the open areas. As it's very similar throughout its length, it requires good pace notes and great coordination between driver and navigator. Access: From Ponta do Pargo: municipal road that provides access to Pedregal and Serrado.