Message from the President of the Regional Government of Madeira
It was initially called the The Tour of Madeira, and it is a part of the History of Madeira.
This 2019 edition is even more special, due to the celebration of our Rally’s 60th anniversary. Like the wine from which it is named, the older it gets, the better it is. The stamina, prestige, and solidity of the organization and of the race, I am sure, are still unaltered.
Also, this edition is twice as special since we celebrate currently the 600th anniversary of the Discovery of the Archipelago of Madeira, a celebration to which the Rally is associated.
The race, which will hit the road on August 1st, hoists the flag of this celebration and it represents the 600 years of Madeira and of our Madeira Wine, in a milestone anniversary.
The Rally is much more than a sports race for the people of Madeira. It is also a social manifestation, with a massive civilized presence of Madeirans on our highlands, filled with campers and visitors, who do not let any of the race’s details go by unnoticed.
To talk about the Rally Vinho Madeira is to invoke the memory of times foregone and those of important names of Portuguese Racing, such as Zeca Cunha and Américo Nunes, but also those of relevant international racers, such as the Italians Massimo Biasion, Fabrizio Tabaton, Andrea Aghini or the Belgian Patrick Snijers.
If Madeira’s development is due to its political autonomy, the reality is that, when it comes to the enthusiasm for racing, nothing has changed. The people of Madeira and Porto Santo love automobiles and the road. And they do it with the civility that characterizes us. Following the security rules and contributing to the making of Rally Vinho Madeira, every year, a true celebration.
The Regional Government will continue to support this race.
A good Rally for all!
Miguel Albuquerque
President of the Regional Government of Madeira
