Tukums region will host both the shortest and longest gravel stages of Tet Rally Latvia
Today, in the Conference Hall of the Tukums District Council, the press conference of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) stage Tet Rally Latvia took place, attended by the Tukums Municipal executive director, Ivars Liepiņš, and the director of Tet Rally Latvia, Raimonds Strokšs. The wider audience was presented with both the rally activities planned in the Tukums city and the Tet Rally Latvia stages scheduled in the Tukums region, which will welcome spectators on July 19th of this year.
This year, from July 18th to 21st, Latvia will become the 37th country to host a round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), established in 1973. Tet Rally Latvia will be the eighth stage of the 2024 WRC Calendar. Before visiting Tukums region, the fastest rally crews in the world will also have visited rallies in Monte Carlo, Sweden, Kenya, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, and Poland.
International rally competitions in the Tukums region are taking place for only the second time - last year, Tukums hosted the FIA European Rally Championship (FIA ERC) for the first time. Similarly, to other places in Latvia, the 2024 will mark a new standard, with the Tukums region hosting events of the highest sporting level – stages of the FIA World Rally Championship.
“The Tukums region has deep roots in motorsport traditions - the first races took place here as early as 1953, some widely known names in motorsport also comes from our region, and our gravel road twists can pleasantly surprise even the most experienced drivers. It is a great honor to host such high-level competitions here in the Tukums region, and I hope that the residents of the region will appreciate and take advantage of the opportunities it brings. Alongside this prestigious sporting event, the region will be visited by tens of thousands of enthusiasts from all over the world, who will want to enjoy delicious food, good rest, and experience our tourism and cultural offerings. It will be an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs, which I recommend seizing. See you in Tukums!” says Tukums Municipal executive director, Ivars Liepiņš.
At the press conference in Tukums today, a series of events in April was continued, with representatives from Tet Rally Latvia visiting all the cities hosting stages of the FIA World Rally Championship round in Latvia. In each city, they are providing detailed information about the planned activities in the respective city and region, as well as answering questions from those present.
In the Conference Hall, the activities planned in Tukums and the Tukums region were presented more extensively – two special stages, media and competitors zone, as well as tyre fitting zone. Refuelling zone is also planned in Tukums region. Friday, July 19th, will start early in the morning, as the Tet Rally Latvia crews will tackle both of the scheduled special stages in the Tukums region for the first time. The shortest challenge of the rally, SS2/5 Milzkalne, measures 4.95 kilometers, while the longest special stage, SS3/6 Tukums, spans a distance of 27.62 kilometers. After completing the first set of special stages, the crews will head to the Talsi region, before returning to the city of Tukums. At around 13:05, a media and competitors zone is planned - a place where rally enthusiasts can meet FIA World Rally Championship participants in person and see the highest level rally cars up close, as well as witness tire changes. After a short break, the drivers will once again take their rally cars to tackle both of the special stages in the Tukums region - fast, technically challenging road sections covered with slippery gravel surfaces.
For those Tukums residents and visitors who may not be able to attend the special stages, a special opportunity will be provided - a large screen will be set up in the square next to synagogue (next to Lielā iela, Uguns iela, Elizabetes iela) for four days, along with a dedicated fan zone where they will be able to watch live coverage of all Tet Rally Latvia special stages.
“This year, Tet Rally Latvia events in the Tukums region are scheduled in the same weekend as the Tukums region festival, allowing the region’s significant and colorful festivities to incorporate an unprecedented dynamic and sporty aspect, infused with a high dose of adrenaline and emotions.
Tukums region will feature the first gravel surface special stages of the Tet Rally Latvia, providing not only participants but also spectators with their first impressions and emotions about the powerful Rally1 cars' performance on our gravel roads. What's particularly important is that we'll start the day with the shortest special stage of the rally, allowing crews to warm up a bit. But the diametrically opposite and true challenge will be the second special stage in the Tukums region - a technical and winding road section measuring 27.62 kilometers - the longest special stage of our competition, requiring a great deal of skill and concentration from the rally drivers!
I urge the residents and entrepreneurs of Tukums to be understanding and accommodating towards the scheduled FIA World Rally Championship competition and the specified restrictions and changes to ensure the successful progress of the competition. Also, please be aware that on rally days, especially on Friday, July 19th, unforeseen traffic congestion may occur in the Tukums region due to the movement of rally visitors.
Meanwhile, I encourage residents to seize the opportunity and attend this highest-level rally competition - with the special stages taking place just few kilometers away from Tukums city centre. But if you still hesitate to attend the rally in person, take advantage of the opportunity and head to the fan zone set up in the Tukums city, where you will be able to witness all special stages of the Tet Rally Latvia. Meanwhile, on Friday, July 19th, make sure to visit the designated media and competitors zone in the city centre, followed by the tire fitting zone - providing you with insights into the thrilling world of rally racing!” rally director Raimonds Strokšs encourages, inviting everyone to enjoy the events of Tet Rally Latvia.
Considering the latest changes in the technical regulations of the FIA World Rally Championship, starting from the 2025 season, it is planned to abandon the use of the hybrid unit, thereby reducing the costs of the cars, but, at the same time, also reducing the overall power of the cars. This means that for the first time in hosting the FIA World Rally Championship round, Tet Rally Latvia spectators will have the opportunity to witness historically the most powerful and fastest rally cars ever driven by WRC crews.
“What does a successful WRC event mean? Firstly, the top sporting concept – you have that – very challenging and full of variety, so many different regions across Latvia are involved. From capital city Riga to the rally city Liepāja on the shore of the Baltic Sea. Secondly, the top professional organisation, you have also that. Well structured, hard work with a qualified team. What you have achieved so far in the ERC and the rallycross is already fantastic. Thirdly, super passionate fan base from Latvia will create a special atmosphere, we are sure, and many will also come from neighbouring countries. Furthermore, with TV3 and all the other media cooperation’s, we have great distribution in the region, which means we will achieve an exceptional return of investment for all your partners of Tet Rally Latvia. Ladies and gentleman, let us write another big success story together with you. See you in Latvia!” WRC Promoter director Jona Siebel.
Tet Rally Latvia planned activities in Tukums and Tukums Region
MONDAY, JULY 15 Reconnaissance
FRIDAY, JULY 19 Tet Rally Latvia special stages SS2/5 Milzkalne, SS3/6 Tukums
FRIDAY, JULY 19 Tet Rally Latvia media zone, regroup and tyre fitting zone
THURSDAY, JULY 18 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, square next to synagogue (next to Lielā iela, Uguns iela, Elizabetes iela)
FRIDAY, JULY 19 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, square next to synagogue
SATURDAY, JULY 20 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, square next to synagogue
SUNDAY, JULY 21 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, square next to synagogue
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: http://www.lbaf.lv/lv/ka-ziedot.
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 and Sportland, official car partner Toyota, as well as sponsors SIXT and BTA. Thanks to our partners Canon Biznesa Centrs Liepāja, DHL, Fristads, Latvijas Valsts meži and municipality of Dienvidkurzeme. Informative support provided by news portal DELFI and Sporta Avīze. Thanks to Tet Rally Latvia supporters AKROPOLE, Biķernieku trase, CSDD, Elnetworks, Flora, FN Serviss, Jānis Pūce, Löfbergs, MB Grupa, Mission Latvia, OCT Composites, Peltors, Rentadisplay, SignTech, 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.