Latvian drivers Mežaks and Priednieks have succesfully debuted in WRC

At the Tet Rally Latvia, a round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), two Latvian rally crews – Matīss Mežaks / Arnis Ronis and Artūrs Priednieks / Jānis Kirkovalds – from the Sports Racing Technologies team made their debut on the world rally stage. In their first WRC event, the Latvians achieved 11th and 12th places, respectively.

On the final day of the Tet Rally Latvia, Matīss Mežaks (Škoda Fabia Evo Rally2) twice ranked 11th and twice ranked 12th in stage classifications, ultimately securing 11th place overall among the world's best WRC2 crews.

“On the final day, I wanted to drive faster, but I had it in my mind that I need to reach the finish line. Therefore, I drove more cautiously in the most dangerous spots to avoid a flat tire. However, on the wide and fast sections, I drove faster than ever before. I took corners that were classified as 'fours' in the pacenotes in fifth gear with the pedal to the floor. The speed kept increasing. If the rally had continued longer, we could have driven even faster. By the second lap, the tires were worn out. Maybe on Saturday afternoon we should have driven with two new tires instead of four, but those are minor details that didn't change much. If we hadn't had the incident in Tukums, we would have finished eighth in the WRC2 classification, which would have been a very good result. However, for a debut, it is satisfying that the car has no major scratches and we have successfully finished,” said Matīss Mežaks, pleased with his successful debut in the FIA World Rally Championship.

Despite minor incidents on Friday, Artūrs Priednieks (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) completed all 20 stages in his WRC debut, finishing 12th overall among the WRC2 crews.

“If there hadn’t been my mistakes on the gravel stages on the first day, the feelings would have been different. However, I am very happy that dreams are coming true. Jānis and I experienced the widest range of emotions. I believe the spectators also enjoyed seeing the Latvian crews. After a 15-year break, we tried to remember how to drive. We probably reached about 70 percent of our previous level, but if we wanted to compete for results, we would need to work much harder. However, that was not the goal this time. We wanted to enjoy the competition and make the spectators happy, and we succeeded in that!” says Artūrs Priednieks.

News and other information about the Tet Rally Latvia, round of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), available at www.lvrally.com, as well as on social media X @LVRally, Facebook @LVRally, Instagram @lvrally, and TikTok @tetrallylatvia. While, news about the FIA World Rally Championship available at www.wrc.com.

Tet Rally Latvia, round of the FIA World Rally Championship, is set to take place on July 18-21, 2024. The event is possible thanks to the support provided by Ministry of Education and Science, rally city Liepāja and capital city Rīga, as well as municipalities of Tukums, Talsi, and Kuldīga. Special thanks to general sponsor Tet, many thanks to our main sponsors Ramirent, Sportland, and X3000, official car partner Toyota, as well as sponsors BTA, Fristads, and SIXT. Thanks to our partners Canon Biznesa Centrs Liepāja, Latvijas Valsts meži and municipality of Dienvidkurzeme. Informative support provided by news portal DELFI, Kurzemes Radio, Sporta Avīze un Talsu Vēstis. Thanks to Tet Rally Latvia supporters shopping malls AKROPOLE, AOK, Ballīte Ballītē, Biķernieku trase, Conti STL, Conway, CSDD, DHL, Eco Baltia vide, Elnetworks, Flora, FN Serviss, Getic, Jānis Pūce, Löfbergs, Liepāja Special Economic Zone, MB Grupa, Mission Latvia, OCT Composites, Peltors, Rentadisplay, Rīgas Brīvostas pārvalde, Riga Motormusem, SignTech, Swecon, Swan, Törley, Travel Latvia, as well as technical partner Sports Racing Technologies. Tet Rally Latvia is organised by RA Events in cooperation with Speed Festival Kurzeme and Latvian Automobile Federation.

Tet Rally Latvia supports initiatives carried out by Latvian Children's Support Centre, who has created and are developing social rehabilitation facility for children with special needs. We invite you to support this initiative, by making a donation here: http://www.lbaf.lv/lv/ka-ziedot.