Two Latvian crews to compete in Madeira historic rally event
Two Latvian crews — Ivars and Andris Velme in an Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2, and Kalvis Blūms in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI — will take part in the "Rally Madeira Legend" historic rally event on the Portuguese island.
The Portuguese island of Madeira will host the historic rally event "Rally Madeira Legend," featuring two crews from Latvia. The island is known for its winding mountain roads and enthusiastic rally fans, along with a long motorsport history.
Latvian representatives
One crew consists of Ivars and Andris Velme, who will compete in an Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2. In recent years the crew has regularly taken part in similar events outside the Baltics, including in Spain, and has drawn attention from Portuguese public broadcaster "RTP Madeira," which described Ivars as a well-known figure in classic rally and "Legends" circles known for his eye-catching driving style.
Latvia will also be represented by Kalvis Blūms, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI, which Portuguese media have called one of the fastest and most impressive show cars in European rallying. Blūms won the sports-classic category at this year's "Rally de Portugal" in May, making him already familiar to Portuguese audiences. In rally circles he is nicknamed the "Mäkinen of Rauna" — a reference to his hometown of Rauna and his childhood idol, four-time world rally champion Tommi Mäkinen.
This will not be the first time Latvian crews have taken part in the event — last year Jānis Sala competed in an Audi Sport Quattro and received the spectators' favorite award.
Event details
This year's headline guest will be Belgian rally legend Patrick Snijers, the 1994 European champion, who will return to Madeira's roads after a 23-year absence, driving a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4×4.
The competition will run over two days, with participants covering around 83 kilometers of special stages. It will begin in Funchal, with the first night stages on Friday evening, followed by stages on the island's winding mountain roads on Saturday, before concluding with the traditional slalom stage in central Funchal.
