Cancelled in last year’s program, in 2020, due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, Shakedown is back, in 2021, in Rali Vinho da Madeira. Shakedown is used by the competitors to check the setup of their vehicles as well as to conclude the few last minute adjustments and improvements to the performance of the racing cars. This year is back to Estrada dos Cardais and ER 224 on Thursday, 5th August, between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Before that, however, the Qualifying will take place, on the same roads, between 8:15 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. Qualifying is strictly for the drivers with priority and, after a few passages of reconnaissance, it will have a timed stage. To the fastest rivers and according to the best brands order established for such passages, drivers will be allowed to choose the start order for the first stage. The start sequence in championships such as the Rali Vinho da Madeira can be crucial to get the best timing in the stages, as it may reflect on a road with more gravel or changing weather conditions.