A symbiosis between several entities

The RVM Organization had, this morning, a meeting with different entities involved in the preparation of the RVM 2022, to present the work done by each one of them and their role in the success of the rally, a "coordinated and cooperated work so that the rally can flow". Pedro Araújo, Clerck of the Course, said on the occasion that "without the collaboration of these entities, the rally could not hit the roads". Police Department The Police Department was represented by Luís Teixeira Vieira, who stated that "at this moment, PSP has everything lined up and in perfect harmony with the institutions present here", highlighting the "strong connection" between the police and the organization. There have been preparatory meetings and road reconnaissance to articulate all the work. Around 800 police officers are involved in this operation. Funchal City Hall Bruno Pereira, Councillor for traffic, civil protection and fire department, was present from Funchal City Hall. The Rali Vinho da Madeira is "the biggest street event in the City of Funchal", which is why safety demands are high. It was necessary to proceed to restrictions and changes in terms of traffic. Bruno Pereira also asked for the collaboration of the population in complying with these rules. This year, with the more central location of the Parc Fermé, in Largo do Município, the City Hall had an added role with the logistics of installation of the space, which is already happening. The return of the Special Stage in the Funchal Ecological Park, was also a subject addressed by the Councillor, "we will raise awareness of safety and environmental issues". Civil Protection Services Marco Lobato, Vice-President of the Civil Protection Services, highlighted the "longstanding partnership with the organization of the RVM". The Civil Protection Services have a key role in the rescue of participants, the public and professionals on site and a prevention system and firefighting. A total of 45 vehicles and 106 operational resources are mobilized, as well as a team from EMIR that is permanently on duty. Marco Lobato said that Civil Protection wants to "contribute to another successful event. Betting on the harmony and symbiosis of the various entities and the efficient articulation of all means". Forest and Nature Conservation Institute The IFCN was represented by its President, Manuel Filipe, who explained the role of the Institute in this partnership, on the one hand "environmental sustainability, as the rally has as its chosen location the mountains and forest spaces and protected areas, which means that we have many people enjoying these places". The message must be passed on, although there is less rubbish every year, it is never too much to remember the importance of putting it in the right containers. On the other hand, there is "a great concern with forest fires". This is the year with the largest number of campers, 3500 people, in 1500 tents, in the 20 areas available for this purpose, which are practically full. The IFCN has deployed 60 elements of inspection teams, 10 cars from the Forestry Police force, besides the staff that collaborates in several ways. Manuel Filipe highlighted on the occasion what he considers to be a good example of sustainability "using reusable wood instead of other materials to mark areas". The responsible reminds us that "these are small steps to help raise the RVM to the highest level".

RVM Teams: Sports & You

The team which will move the most resources in the next edition of the Rali Vinho da Madeira is the Portuguese Sports & You. This structure was set up in 2006 and is managed by José Pedro Fontes. Based in Valongo, this team will assist no less than 12 cars in this organization of the Club Sports da Madeira. Under their care will be the six Citroën C3 Rally2 of Alejandro Cachon, Bernardo Sousa, Emma Falcon, José Paula, José Pedro Fontes and Paulo Caldeira, the four Hyundai i20N Rally2 of Bruno Magalhães, Paulo and Pedro Meireles and Ricardo Teodósio, the Citroën DS3 R5 of Américo Gouveia and also the Peugeot 208 Rally4 of Fran Santana. The team brings to Madeira 3 trucks, 4 vans and 10 support vehicles. Among engineers, mechanics, logistics, hospitality and communication, Sports & You will have 68 people at its service. The area to be occupied by the structure in the Service Park in Avenida Sá Carneiro will be 630 m2.

FIA ERT: What is it and how does it work?

The FIA European Rally Trophy was born in 2014 and succeeded the European Rally Cup. As it stands, this is a European rally trophy that is divided into six geographical regions. There are the Alps zones, which include countries such as France, Italy and Switzerland, around the Alps, Balkan, integrating countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Serbia, along the Balkans, Celtic, reserved for Ireland and the United Kingdom, Central, with central countries such as Austria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary or Germany, Iberian for Portugal and Spain and also Scandinavian for Sweden, Finland and Denmark. In all these areas champions are obtained not only at absolute level (ERT1) but also for drivers with Rally3 cars (ERT3), those with Rally4 and Rally5 cars (ERT4), and Junior, for drivers up to 26 years of age on January 1st of this year and with cars which fall under ERT4. From all the areas, the first ten classified in each class are also qualified for the Final. It is in this Final that the overall title in all classes will be awarded. In 2022, the Final will take place in the Internationale ADMV Lausitz Rallye, to be held in Germany between 3rd and 5th November.  

Very beautiful roads

Alejandro Cachon will be at the Rali Vinho da Madeira for the first time. The driver of the Citroën C3 Rally2 wants to "accumulate experience with the car. It is a bit challenging to establish other goals for this rally because the local drivers are usually very fast and in Madeira a good knowledge of the roads is necessary. I tried to make up for that by watching a lot of videos. Anyway, I already know that the roads and the special stages are very beautiful". Aged 23, Spaniard Alejandro Cachon made his rally debut in 2017 with a Citroën DS3 R1. He remained at the wheel of that vehicle the following year but in 2019 he moved to the controls of a Peugeot 208 with which he won the Volan FAPA. In 2020 he tried several models, but most of the season was done with a Peugeot 208 Rally4, the car with which, last year, he won the Peugeot Rally Iberian Cup. In 2021 he made his debut with the car that will be used in this Rali Vinho da Madeira and this year he already reached the podium twice. He is fifth in the Spanish Super Championship.

New seats available to watch the Special Stage at Avenida do Mar

Given the high demand for places located in Avenida do Mar, the Organization decided to place a new grandstand, making available to the public more places to watch the first Special CStage of the rally.  This new stand will be located in Praça da Autonomia. Tickets will be available for sale at the RVM Operation Centre, Marina Fórum building, at 10 euros each.  

Autograph session is a much awaited moment

One of the most awaited moments by rally race fans is the Autograph Session. This year, this great moment is back to RVM for the joy of children and adults. The event will take place next Tuesday, August 2nd at Madeira's Casino. The teams will be available for contact with enthusiasts between 9.30 p.m. and 11 p.m., but the entertainment will start earlier, at 8 p.m.. Enthusiasts will have the opportunity to be close to the competition vehicles, collect autographs and take photographs with their favourite drivers, in a family atmosphere, with the rally families. Many teams already bring merchandising to distribute to fans. 

Fight for the CPR and win

José Pedro Fontes returns to Rali Vinho da Madeira with his Citroën C3 Rally2 and intends to "fight for the Portuguese Rally Championship and win the race. I was the last non-Madeira rider to win this rally, which I like a lot and where I've been on the podium many times. If I win the rally, I will also win the CPR... (laughs) We did in Faial a good test and we got good indicators. There we also proved that, with similar knowledge of the roads and plenty of time with racing cars, our lack of knowledge is reduced. Let's try..." Fontes, aged 46, has been through many different of motorsport, in which he has won several titles, but he made his rallying debut in 1998 with a Seat Ibiza GTi. He has represented various brands, such as Fiat in the Punto Kit-Car and Punto S2000 or Renault with Clio S1600. Since 2016 he has been linked to Citroën and PSA group, now Stellantis. He won the FIA ERT Iberian Rally Trophy in 2016 and was National Champion in 2015 and 2016. He is third in the CPR 2022.

Message from the President of C.S.Madeira and the Organizing Committee of RVM

Welcome to Madeira Island and to the Rali Vinho da Madeira, which, in the footsteps of the legendary "Tour Around the Island", is the oldest motor race on the roads of Portugal and has always been organised by the centenary Club Sports da Madeira and which, this year, returns, with all its splendour and spectacularism, after two years of contingency, due to the pandemic crisis. No other motor-racing sports event in the Region perfectly combines the promotion of Madeira as a Tourist Destination and its famous wine with the boosting of its domestic economic activity, as the rally is intensely experienced by all generations of Madeirans in such an enthusiastic manner that it influences all our visitors, transforming it into a popular gathering for a week, this being a brand image and prestige of our emblematic race, at world level. The contribution of the Rali Vinho da Madeira to the economy of the Region can be proven by the media value generated last year, around 5.6 million euros of AVE (Advertising Equivalency & Value), with more than one thousand and one hundred news items, with a notable exposure in the media. In this edition, transmission by RTP-Madeira, for all the public television channels, with particular relevance for RTP International, has already been assured. All other national and international channels will also transmit the event programs in international sports channels, besides the transmission in all digital platforms, WEB-TV, Live Streaming, etc. Furthermore, the crucial factor of the internal economic activity, with an increase of consumption and revenue from indirect taxes, VAT, ISP, among others, and of companies, since the vast majority of suppliers of goods and services are companies with tax headquarters in the Region. The bet of the competition’s organization in gathering a lot of good young drivers and others of great media projection, together with the Madeiran and Continental drivers, will provide a great sporting spectacle, with many reasons for interest, because there are several "rallies" depending on the classes and groups of vehicles, besides the competition for the first places of the classification. With the firm purpose of bringing the Event closer to its public, the always busy "Autograph Session" will be back, a special moment of sharing and conviviality between the drivers and their fans. The Rally's Control Centre, Rally Office and Stewards of the Meeting as well as all the Coordination will be concentrated in the area of Avenida Sá Carneiro. With the support of Funchal City Hall, we will install the Parc Fermé areas in the historic Praça do Município, which will undoubtedly help the fans to observe all the competing cars throughout the days of the race. The desired return of the opening Special Stage on Avenida do Mar, always enjoyed fans that go to the bay of the city of Funchal, with all its surroundings and spectacle, will determine the start of the hostilities and the gathering on the roads throughout the Municipalities of the Region. The Rali Vinho da Madeira 2022 Edition, will score for the International Iberian Rally Trophy (ERT FIA), the Portuguese Championship and the Madeira Rally Championship organised under the aegis of the Portuguese Car and Karting Federation - FPAK. We would like to thank all our sponsors, all the main and loyal Sponsors - ECM, Altice/PT/MEO, BPI, EMT, Grupo Sousa and, most particularly, the institutional and financial support from the Regional Government of Madeira, as well as, the contribution from the City Halls and other Public Entities, and many service providing companies, through advertising exchanges. Without all these indispensable and valuable contributions, it would not be possible for the Club Sports da Madeira to organize an event with the quality and prestige of the Rali Vinho da Madeira. The safety of the competition is one of the organization's priorities and, therefore, the partnership and work developed with the Police Department, the Regional Civil Protection Service, SESARAM, the Forest and Nature Conservation Institute and the various Fire Brigades are fundamental to the success of this sporting event. We thank them all for their commitment and professionalism with which they planned the event, extending to all our collaborators and members of the Organizing Committee. Another priority will be the environmental sustainability of the Rali Vinho da Madeira 2022 with actions to promote good practices that aim to minimize its environmental impact, and in the preservation of the environment, being in the goals of the Club Sports da Madeira to prepare the application of the event for accreditation by the FIA, as an automobile race of environmental sustainability. Once again and as always, we shall defend an "environmentally friendly" and "maximum safety" Rali Vinho da Madeira. We are counting on all of you! "The Rally is not of Club Sports da Madeira, it's of Madeira Island". A great rally to you all! José Paulo Fontes  

Being part of the party

João Silva is back to in the Rali Vinho da Madeira, an event in which he intends to "participate to be part of the great rallying festival. We are going to race with a Peugeot 208 Rally4, of two wheels. In our category there are cars with better performances but we will do everything to beat those adversaries. Last year I had a similar experience with a Renault Clio and now I am curious to compare both cars. I can only hope that this car will also be competitive. I am also happy because I will share again a racing car with João Paulo, with whom I already raced in 2010. We will try to have fun and do the best we know". Silva is 34 years old and made his rallying debut in 2007 with a Toyota Yaris. He then moved to a Citroën C2 R2 and, in 2009, to a Renault Clio R3, with which he became famous. With this car he was Madeira Junior Champion that year and the following year, and also the best in his category in the national championship in 2011. In 2012 he participated in the WRC Academy with a Ford Fiesta R2. In 2017 he acquired a Citroën DS3 R5 and took his first absolute victory at the Calheta Rally. He was regional runner-up in 2017 and 2018. In recent years, he has practically only lined up in the Rali Vinho da Madeira, but in 2021 he won the Lisbon Rally.  

The main goal is to have fun

Emma Falcon makes her debut in the Rali Vinho da Madeira and her goal is to "have fun. I haven't put my helmet on for nine months and I know I lack rhythm. This is the first season I don't have a full programme and we have chosen this rally as our only event this year. I'm really looking forward to it as everyone is saying only nice words about this rally. Every race has its peculiarities and complications but I was told that in Madeira the weather can change and when you least expect it to rain. Many riders say the rally is very similar to the Canary Islands, with many inclines, but there are clean sections with a similar layout. I'm sure this will help me feel at home.” Originally from the Canary Islands, Emma Falcon is 31 years old and made her rally debut in 2011 with a VW Polo TDI. She has also been behind the wheel of Ford Fiesta R2, Citroën DS3 R3T Max and Citroën C3 R5. In 2020 and 2021 she used Citroën C3 Rally2, model with which she arrives in Funchal. She has currently taken a break from her career as she is a manager at Sports & You. She was Spanish woman's champion in 2013, 2016 and 2017 and also European champion in 2018.  

Seats at Avenida do Mar Special Stage Sold Out

The welcomed return to normality included the Special - Spectacular Event for the opening of the Rali Vinho da Madeira. There, in the unique setting of the city of Funchal, where RVM, also has its podium for the start and finish of the rally, the attendance of thousands of Madeirans and visitors on Thursday, which start the biggest sporting event in the Region is historic. This year, as soon as the decision was made to return to the Special Stage in Avenida do Mar, the Organizing Committee of the Rali Vinho da Madeira, took precautions to set up stands with seating, having even made an extra effort during the last few days to increase the capacity, contracting the setting up of another stand at the Rotunda Sá Carneiro. The demand continued under strong pressure and at this moment there are no more tickets available. However, along the Avenue, there will be safe seating so that you can watch the Special Stage show. We ask for your understanding and recommend that you respect the guidelines of the authorities. Practice our motto "a safe and environmentally friendly rally". .

RVM Teams: MotorLobos Competições

One of the Madeiran teams which will have more competitors in the next Rali Vinho da Madeira is MotorLobos Competições, a structure set up precisely nine years ago by Filipe Silva, manager of the team and also a participating driver in the organization of the Club Sports da Madeira. This team will be responsible for eight cars, the Toyota Yaris of Bruno Coelho and Bruno Costa, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI of Filipe Gouveia, the Citroën Saxo Cup of Miguel Sousa, the Renault Clio R3T of Nuno Figueira, the Citroën DS3 R1 of Jerónimo Silva, the Citroën Saxo Kit-Car of Batista Corte, and also the Citroën C2 R2 of the "boss" Filipe Silva. As it is based in Madeira, the logistic operation is easier, but the structure will operate two vans and three bigger vans. The work will be entrusted to 10 mechanics, 7 assistants and a person responsible for logistics and another for marketing and communication. The team will occupy an area of approximately 300 m2 in the service park.  

Final details for the start of RVM

This afternoon, in the auditorium of the School Horário Bento de Gouveia, took place a general meeting with the security teams and controls that cooperate with Rali Vinho Madeira. The meeting aimed at finishing the details before the start of the competition and it was attended by road safety officers, special stage assistants, road marshals and station chiefs. This operation involves around 300 members who ensure the success of the rally in operational terms.

Teams material delivery

Drivers, co-drivers and representatives of the teams registered in the 2022 edition of the RVM, have been, since early this morning, at the Coordination Centre of the rally, to pick up all the materials provided in the regulations of the races with the seal of the FIA and the FPAK. They are delivering plates with the number assigned in the entry list, stickers with the regulatory advertising, RVM badges and merchandise created for the RVM 2022. This operation will run until 6 p.m.

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