The start event in Rīga marks one week until Tet Rally latvia
With the WRC start event in Rīga on Thursday, July 11, at Rīga Town Hall Square, exactly one week was symbolically marked until the next week's FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) round Tet Rally Latvia. At the start event, speeches were given by leading officials of the cities and regions where the rally will take place, the director of Tet Rally Latvia, representatives of the rally's supporters and partners, as well as three Latvian driver crews who will participate in the WRC Latvian round. At the end of the event, Latvian fans had their first opportunity to also witness a start demonstration of the WRC Rally1 car.
Throughout the day, rally fans and enthusiasts, as well as city visitors, had the opportunity to view in person the racing cars of all three Latvian crews – Mārtiņš Sesks / Renārs Francis, Matīss Mežaks / Arnis Ronis, and Arturs Priednieks / Jānis Kirkovalds. Special interest was drawn particularly to the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 HYBRID car, which the Sesks / Francis crew will be driving in the Tet Rally Latvia stages next week.
The event began in the early afternoon with the X3000 Rally Challenge e-sports challenge Grand Final, where first the four best e-sports drivers competed in the semi-finals, and later the two fastest fought for the main prize – a ride in the first stage of Tet Rally Latvia, SSS1 Biķernieki Track.
Despite the unfavourable weather conditions, a large number of spectators gathered to meet their favourites, take the opportunity to chat, and ask for autographs from the Latvian rally drivers and their co-drivers, who will compete in the historically first WRC round in Latvia next week.
Shortly after, the official part of WRC starts in Rīga event began. Mayor of Rīga Vilnis Ķirsis, Tet Rally Latvia director Raimonds Strokšs, technology company Tet chairman Uldis Tatarčuks, and Latvian Automobile Federation president Raimonds Kisiels were the first to take the stage. Later, Mayors from other cities and regions represented in the rally, as well as representatives from Tet Rally Latvia partners, gave speeches. Finally, greetings from WRC team principals and drivers to Latvian rally enthusiasts were heard, and the Latvian driver crews shared their feelings about the upcoming competition.
The highlight of the event was the rally car start demonstrations. On the section from Rīga Town Hall to 11 November Embankment, Arturs Priednieks was the first to perform a start simulation with his Škoda Fabia Rally2 RS, followed by Matīss Mežaks with his Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo. The greatest surprise for the spectators came from the impressive Rally1 car of the main class of WRC, and its sound – the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 HYBRID piloted by Sesks.
“The round of the world's most prestigious rally competition – the World Rally Championship (WRC) – in Latvia is an exciting event for rally enthusiasts from both Latvia and abroad, as well as for the entire local community. Thanks to this project, Latvia's name will resound loudly on the world stage, giving us the opportunity to highlight Latvia's sporting achievements, natural and cultural treasures, and business opportunities. This is also the first implemented project within the so-called major events support program, where the state's invested funds are expected to be recouped significantly – by attracting tourists, increasing VAT revenues, creating new jobs, promoting infrastructure development, and enhancing the country's recognition. A great deal of organizational work has been invested in preparing for the rally stage, once again proving – Latvia can,” says Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis.
“With the rich motorsport traditions that exist in Rīga and Latvia, we have long deserved to host an event of such scale as a stage of the FIA World Rally Championship. To turn this dream into reality, rally organizers in Latvia have worked tirelessly for 15 years, and I extend tremendous thanks to them for their enormous effort, as well as their steadfast, stable, and unwavering pursuit of their goal. I wish every elite rally driver the best of luck in the Latvian stage, but especially hope that our Latvian teams will benefit from our homeland's roads and bends. The rally starts in Rīga and continues across Latvia!” says Vilnis Ķirsis, Mayor of Rīga.
“Thank you for braving the weather to come and witness these rally cars in person, which our rally drivers will be racing in just a few days in Latvia's stages. I extend my gratitude to my team, to our supporters, to the Latvian government, and to all cities and regions involved. The road to WRC has taken us a humble 15 years, but through collaborative effort, step by step, patiently building our identity, this is the result of our hard work,” said Tet Rally Latvia director Raimonds Strokšs.
“Every day we come to work and prove that Latvia can build top technologies and compete on a global scale, so it's important for us to support those who may be a bit crazy but also highly capable, so they can succeed even more. Nowadays, technology plays a role in many aspects of life, and cars themselves are highly technological – they transmit video signals so we can all watch the rally. Therefore, it's important for us to support both this event and the people who don't just say that somewhere else is better, but actually get up and do it. I believe in our ability to achieve, and together we achieve better,” said Uldis Tatarčuks, chairman of the board at Tet.
“First of all, I'm thrilled that people aren't deterred by the rain, which means that all the fans coming to the rally won't be afraid of rain or sunshine, and we'll have four fantastic days ahead. In just a few days, on Sunday, we have our first practice, so right now we're enjoying a little relaxation from the marathon of the last two weeks. The support from Latvian fans will definitely give us additional strength and support!” the first Latvian driver starting in a WRC manufacturer team car, Mārtiņš Sesks.
“I still can't believe that we're here, suited up and ready to start. I admire the spectators a bit because I would also love to stand next to the special stages and watch such a rally. However, this time everything will be different, and I'll be watching the rally from inside the rally car,” Matīss Mežaks.
“When Raimonds accomplished this impossible task and announced that we would have a WRC rally, Jānis and I met and decided that we had to give it a try. We've always dreamt of competing in a World Championship, so a huge thanks to all our supporters for helping us achieve this dream,” Arturs 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, 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.