WRC Tet Rally Latvia will visit Kuldīga region with drivers parade and special stages
Today, in the Great Hall of the Kuldīga District Council, the press conference of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) stage Tet Rally Latvia took place, attended by the Mayor of the Kuldīga region, Insese Astaševska, and the director of Tet Rally Latvia, Raimonds Strokšs. The wider audience was presented with both the rally activities planned in the city and the Tet Rally Latvia stages scheduled in the Kuldīga region, which will welcome spectators on July 20th 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 Kuldīga region, the fastest rally crews in the world will also have visited rallies in Monte Carlo, Sweden, Kenya, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, and Poland.
Although this will not be the first time that high-level motorsport competitions have taken place in the Kuldīga region – during the period from 2013 to 2018 and in 2023, Kuldīga region has already hosted stages of the FIA European Rally Championship. However, similarly to other places in Latvia, the 2024 will mark a new standard, with the Kuldīga region hosting events of the highest sporting level – stages of the FIA World Rally Championship.
“The stage of the FIA World Rally Championship is a significant achievement not only for the motorsport community but for the whole of Latvia and also for the Kuldīga region. The competition extends beyond the rally stages – it is a great contribution to our entrepreneurs, sports, and cultural life. Rallying in the Kuldīga region is a long-standing tradition respected by both the athletes and the spectators. I am delighted that now, together with our region's unique natural landscapes and UNESCO historical heritage, the highest-level athletes in the world will be able to enjoy it. We are proud to be a part of Tet Rally Latvia!” said Inese Astaševska, Mayor of the Kuldīga District Council.
At the press conference in Kuldīga today, a series of events in April was further outlined, 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 Great Hall, the activities planned in Kuldīga and the Kuldīga region were presented more extensively. On July 19th, in Kuldīga, we will ceremoniously welcome the Tet Rally Latvia crews, who will participate in a parade - first crossing the Brick Bridge, then continuing along Baznīcas Street, then turning onto Liepājas Street, then onto Kalpaka Street, and finally reaching City Square, where crews will proceed further after completing the parade.
Meanwhile, on Saturday morning, all Tet Rally Latvia crews will return to the Kuldīga region, where three special stages are scheduled. The day for participants will begin with SS9 Pilskalns and SS10 Snēpele. After completing these stages, all crews will converge at Kuldīga's City Square, where a media and participant zone is planned - a place where rally enthusiasts can meet FIA World Rally Championship participants in person and see their cars up close. After a short break, the drivers will once again take their rally cars to tackle the third special stage SS11 Īvande in the Kuldīga region. Although precise spectator zones were not indicated today, visitors of the Tet Rally Latvia will have the opportunity to choose their preferred viewing spots - whether it be a twisty section or a high-speed stretch of road, narrow or wide roads, or a viewing point with a jump. For those Kuldīga 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 City Square 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.
“I am genuinely pleased that Kuldīga is one of the cities and regions hosting Tet Rally Latvia, allowing us to include truly challenging special stages in the WRC Latvia’s round route - with varying speeds and road configurations that will be equally challenging for participants and exciting for spectators.
I urge the residents and entrepreneurs of Kuldīga 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 Saturday, July 20th, unforeseen traffic congestion may occur in the Kuldīga region due to the movement of rally visitors.
Meanwhile, I encourage residents to seize the opportunity and attend this highest-level rally competition - the special stages taking place just few tens of kilometers away from our homes, rather than in a foreign country. At the same time, I urge everyone to spend Friday evening in Kuldīga - on the Brick Bridge and in the streets of the city center, warmly welcoming the Tet Rally Latvia crews, creating unforgettable memories for them as they enter Kuldīga for the first time!
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 city square, where you can witness the skills of the WRC crews with your own eyes. And rest assured, not all will be lost - you'll still have the chance to create unforgettable memories for yourself by attending the scheduled special stages in the Kuldīga region on Saturday, July 20th,” 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 activities planned in Kuldīga and Kuldīga region
TUESDAY, JULY 16 Reconnaissance
FRIDAY, JULY 19 Tet Rally Latvia parade over Brick bridge and through oldtown Kuldīga
SATURDAY, JULY 20 Tet Rally Latvia special stages SS9 Pilskalns, SS10 Snēpele, SS11 Īvande
SATURDAY, JULY 20 Tet Rally Latvia media zone and regroup
THURSDAY, JULY 18 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Kuldīga town hall square
FRIDAY, JULY 19 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Kuldīga town hall square
SATURDAY, JULY 20 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Kuldīga town hall square
SUNDAY, JULY 21 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Kuldīga town hall square
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.