Rali Vinho da Madeira is an integral part of the FIA European Rally Trophy, a competition organised by the international motor sport federation that has undergone several changes this year. During the major changes introduced in the European championship a little over 10 years ago and the reduction in the number of events in that series, a new formula was created, encompassing the remaining events called the European Cup.

The following year, that Cup evolved into the current trophy which, over the years, has taken different forms. The one that was in force the longest was a competition divided by geographical areas in which the best in each area were automatically qualified for a final, played in a single race, which awarded the title. Alexandre Camacho from Madeira achieved this triumph in 2018 in a year when the closing event was in Algarve.

For 2023, the International Federation has decided to make major changes and, excluding regional competitions in geographical areas, the best result in all 19 events that make up a calendar that previously featured more than 50 events will count again. The scoring system has also been changed and takes into account, with a coefficient, the number of appearances in each of the categories, which means that a competitor with a less competitive car, such as a Rally4, can fight for the sceptre.

The FIA European Rally Trophy includes 19 rallies this season, with a maximum of two for each country, the Portuguese Vinho da Madeira and Terras d'Aboboreira, the Czechs Valasska and Cesky Krumlov, the French Ain Jura and Antibes Cote d'Azur, Switzerland's Chablais and Valais, Croatia's Ina Delta, Ireland's Donegal, Austria's Weiz, Poland's Rzeszow and Slask, the UK's Ulster and Ceredigion, Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovenia's Nova Gorica and Germany's Lausitz.