Message from the President of Club Sports da Madeira and the Organising Committee for the RVM 2023

It is with great satisfaction and pleasure that I address you, on behalf of the centenary Club Sports da Madeira, a warm welcome to Madeira and to the "Rali Vinho da Madeira", the international sporting event that most promotes the Madeira tourist destination and its secular and famous export product. It is the oldest motor rally event in Portugal, because it is enough to remember the first "Tour of the Island" to realise how it has always been lived and cherished by all Madeirans who, in a very unique way, positioned themselves on its narrow and winding roads to closely follow the challenges that were launched to drivers and their vehicles, to overcome the difficult orography and microclimate of the Island. This enthusiasm with which successive generations of Madeirans receive Rali Vinho da Madeira is maintained and renewed every year, which forces the organising committee to always maintain a high ambition in order to meet the expectations of our fans and continue to affirm all its history and prestige in the context of national and international motorsport. There is no other sporting event that perfectly combines the external promotion of the Region and intensifies its internal economic activity. It is enough to mention the contribution to the economy, measured not only by its media return generated, more than 12.7 million euros of AVE (Advertising Value Equivalency), by the revenues generated directly in stays and meals, by all competitors, their teams and companions, in addition to indirect taxes on consumption and the contracting of supply companies with tax headquarters in the Region. It is urgent to carry out a study on the strong impact that the Event has on the economy of Madeira, but there is no doubt that in an analysis of the cost / benefit ratio, Rali Vinho da Madeira is economically sustainable and a positive contribution to regional and municipal revenues. In sporting terms, Rali Vinho da Madeira 2023, scores points for the FIA European Rally Trophy, for the Portuguese and Coral Madeira Rally Championships and, this year, for the Peugeot Rally Cup Trophy Iberica, a mono-brand competition that will bring to Madeira, about 14 competitors to which four Madeiran teams will join, in what will be "another rally" within this edition of the event. To prove the prestige and international image of our rally, it is enough to go through the list of entries, not only for the high number of entries in an island competition, which surprised everyone, but also for the quality and the fact that we have several drivers who are former winners of the Rali Vinho da Madeira which, from the outset, will be decisive to have a lot of competitiveness on the roads of the region. President of Club Sports da Madeira and the Organising Committee of RVM 2023 José Paulo Fontes

Rally Special Stages: cidade do Funchal

by Pedro Calado, co-driver "A spectacular special stage right in the centre of the city of Funchal, taking place late Thursday afternoon. The starting ceremony in Avenida Do Mar - Praça do Povo, will attract many people to experience closely all the excitement of the race. The spectacular race begins in a downhill area near the Funchal Fire Brigade, entering the access tunnel to the Francisco Sá Carneiro Roundabout, with a spectacular roundabout and ends in front of the Funchal Marina, in the north lane. The entire special stage is very fast and with spectacular areas and chicanes. Naturally, thousands of people will watch it, giving a lot of joy to all the teams and life to the City. Very fast and technical, to be done with attention. As this is a city special stage, with chicanes and only 2.18 kilometres long, "nothing is lost", but a lot can be "compromised". Very nice for the general public, especially in the new Praça do Povo area. A good start for the next two days of racing".

It will be like starting all over again

Kris Meeke returns to Rali Vinho da Madeira after 13 years in a Hyundai i20N Rally2 "I have more grey hair, but I remember how hard my debut in 2009 was, especially in anticipating, in the reconnaissance, the speed at which we would pass in the race. In 2010 I was better but I gave up near the end with mechanical problems. It's a very beautiful place, a very traditional tarmac rally. Maybe even more difficult than Corsica because the road is wider and we can't have such precise notes. The goal for this year is a bit limited because I have a vague idea of the race and I don't remember the technical aspects. It will be like starting all over again. The Portuguese competitors know the race well, the Madeirans are very familiar with the route. It will be almost mission impossible to beat them. I'm going to fight thinking about the Portuguese championship. We'll see. I'll try to do my best because I really like the island". 44-year-old Kris Meeke started rallying in 2000 with a Peugeot 106 GTi. He was British junior champion in 2002 with a Ford Puma S1600 and in 2003 with an Opel Corsa S1600. His speed and driving style led to him being sponsored by Colin McRae. He has represented brands such as Peugeot in the IRC and Mini, Citroën and Toyota in the WRC, but his only outright title came in the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge. He has worked on the development of several racing models.  In 2023 he replaced the late Craig Breen in the Hyundai Portugal team and is fifth in the CPR after winning two of his three races.

Rali Vinho da Madeira welcomes visitors

Rali Vinho da Madeira, in partnership with ANA, has welcomed passengers arriving at Cristiano Ronaldo Airport with an installation informing them of the 64th edition of the event taking place later this week. On display is the Ford Escort RS Cosworth with chassis number 12, the first to race worldwide in this configuration, at the 1993 Sopete Rally. This car belongs to Rui Conceição, a driver who won the regional rally titles between 1994 and 1996, and is similar to those that won Rali Vinho da Madeira in 1993 and 1996 through the Belgian Patrick Snijers and the Portuguese Fernando Peres, respectively. Respecting the specifications of the time, it still competes with its owner at the wheel.

A place on the podium

Bernardo Sousa returns with a Citroën C3 Rally2 to the Rali Vinho da Madeira, "a race in which I hope to have a growing result, according to the latest records. In 2023 the difficulties increase because the competition is bigger and very strong. However, given my last participations in the event, I will be more comfortable because I have a better knowledge of the race. Our main goal is to be in the top three of the Portuguese Rally Championship, something that, given what we have shown in the last races, is within our reach. I would also like to get on the absolute podium. In Madeira, the weather conditions are always very important and a stage and some new ground will reduce the advantage that the drivers in the local championship have. This is my first RVM with José Janela as co-driver and I may have to use new notes. Psychologically, this is my "home" race but in reality it is the one, in the national championship, in which I have fewer participations". Aged 36, Sousa made his rallying debut in 2005 with a Ford Escort RS MkII. His first full season was in 2006 with a Peugeot 206 S1600. He then moved on to a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX and it was with this car that he was in the PWRC for the first time in 2008. He remained in that championship until 2011, first with a Fiat Punto S2000 and then with a Ford Fiesta S2000. It was with the latter model that he was national champion in 2010. He is sixth in the Portuguese Rally Championship.

Rally curiosities: 6 winners at the start of the rally

At the start of the 64th edition of Rali Vinho da Madeira will be six previous winners of the event. The drivers who have already climbed to the top step of the podium of the Club Sports da Madeira organisation are number 4 - Miguel Nunes, 5 - Alexandre Camacho, 6 - José Pedro Fontes, 11 - Giandomenico Basso, 23 - Adruzilo Lopes, and 39 - Vítor Sá. Alexandre Camacho is also, with five triumphs, the record holder of victories in the event. The Madeiran driver won in 2017 with a Peugeot 208 T16 R5, in 2018 and 2019 in Skoda Fabia R5 and in 2021 and 2022 with Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. There are four drivers with four triumphs: Américo Nunes, first in 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1977, always with Porsche 911S, Giandomenico Basso, winner in 2006, 2007 and 2009 with Fiat Punto S2000 and 2013 at the wheel of Peugeot 207 S2000, Bruno Magalhães, triumphant in 2011 and 2012 in a Peugeot 207 S2000 and 2014 and 2015 in Peugeot 208 T16 R5 and Andrea Aghini, best in 1992 in Lancia Delta Integrale, 1994 and 1998 with Toyota Corolla WRC and 2002 using Peugeot 206 WRC.

Fighting for victory

José Pedro Fontes will be competing in Rali Vinho da Madeira with his usual Citroën C3 Rally2 and he wants to "be on the podium and, if possible, fight to win. This is a rally that I like a lot and I was the last non-Madeira driver to win it. We will try to adopt a good pace and evaluate, stage by stage, where we are. In Machico we had a good run and we'll try to be strong again and go fast without, of course, devaluing the competition". Fontes is 47 years old and his first rallying experience came in 1997 with a Seat Ibiza GTi. Throughout his career he has represented brands such as Fiat or Renault and since 2015 he has defended the colours of Citroën. Winner of the Rali Vinho da Madeira in 2016, the year in which he also won the FIA ERT Iberian Rally Trophy, the driver has titles in several parts of motor sport and in rallying he was absolute national champion in 2015 and 2016 with a Citroën DS3 R5. He is third in the Portuguese Rally Championship.

Delivery of materials to competitors with great turnout

Another stage in the 2023 Rali Vinho da Madeira programme is completed today, with the delivery of material and all documentation to competitors. The process began at 10 a.m. at the Rally Secretariat, Escola Profissional Atlântico Edifício Marina Fórum. In the first hour, 18 teams, out of the 85 registered, had already picked up the documentation and material needed for the race. The folder delivered includes route books, maps, identification for drivers and assistance personnel, assistance and auxiliary plates, competition numbers, advertising stickers and important information for the documentary and technical checks and for the Service Park.

I don´t know what to expect

Simone Campedelli returns to Rali Vinho da Madeira, "a competition I remember from my childhood when it was part of the European championship and many of my idols took part. It's a rally that makes me remember when I was just a fan. I have to thank the organisation and The Racing Factory, who allowed this to happen. Sportingly, I don't know what I can expect but I want to enjoy every moment I'm in the car. We'll give it our all and see, class by class, where we go. Everything is unknown. The only certainty is the great pleasure of being at the start". The 37-year-old Italian, who is driving the colours of Indian tyre manufacturer MRF with a Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, made his debut in 2004 with a Citroën Saxo VTS. From then until 2009 he drove various versions of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. Between 2010 and 2013 he was behind the wheel of front-wheel drive cars and, from then on, Peugeot 207 S2000, Ford Fiesta R5, VW Polo GTi R5 and, in recent years, Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. He regularly competes in the ERC, is the reigning Italian tarmac rally champion and has also won the junior title in 2011, the two-wheel drive title in 2012 and the 2007 dirt rally trophy in his country.

Message from the President of the Regional Government of Madeira for the 2023 edition of RVM

It is with great satisfaction that I will attend the Rali Vinho da Madeira, recognised as one of the best motor racing events in Europe. Rali Vinho da Madeira is a childhood icon of all Madeirans. More than a party for outsiders, it is our party. It is our soul that gives life to the party on the road. It is a pride for the Madeiran people to have a race of this nature, highly competitive, as has happened over the years. It is also an important poster for publicising and promoting the Region abroad. Our rally - our “around the island”, as some affectionately still call it, remembering the original name - has had a strong competitive growth over the years. And our drivers, to the great satisfaction of Madeirans, have been able to keep up with this growth, presenting themselves with vehicles at the level of those coming from abroad, even winning the rally. I am convinced that it will be another great party, excellently organised, as usual, by Club Sports da Madeira. And where, once again, the Madeirans who come to watch the rally on the road will set a civic example by complying with the safety rules, not going over the barriers and watching the race in places that do not offer danger. In the name of the common good, it is important that the Rali Vinho da Madeira is held safely. I can only wish you all a good Rally and that you stay safe on and off the road. President of the Government of the Autonomous Region of Madeira Miguel Filipe Machado de Albuquerque

Changes to traffic in the centre of Funchal

The traffic constraints caused by the Rali Vinho da Madeira are unavoidable. The Funchal City Council, and in particular the councillor responsible for traffic, Bruno Pereira and his team, have worked to find alternatives to minimise the possible inconvenience that may arise during the RVM 2023, related to the conditioning and interruption of several roads in the centre of Funchal. The alternative for those who want to cross the City is Cota 40, which will be operating as normal. For those who use public transport, alternative stops will be created at a higher quota, freeing up the streets of downtown. Bruno Pereira leaves a piece of advice "avoid unnecessary travel", reducing as much as possible the number of people who need to circulate in the city centre. The attached maps explain in detail the changes in car circulation, from 02nd August, where the recognitions will take place, until Saturday 5th August with the end of the race.

Good classification for the championship

Armindo Araújo debuts a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 in Madeira. The national champion says that "Rali Vinho da Madeira is a race that we know well and that is very demanding, very technical. Above all, we want to have a good rally and finish in the top positions. The main candidates for victory are the drivers from Madeira and our goal is to be in the fight for victory for the CPR and collect good points for that championship. This edition will be even more challenging due to the debut of our car on these roads. We don't have a set-up base for this model yet and that will require us to work even harder to get an interesting configuration. We'll have to work hard but that's not what's getting us down..."  Araújo is 45 years old and his first rally was in 2000 with a Citroën Saxo VTS, the year he won Promotion. The following year he won the Saxo Trophy with the same car. Since then he has represented Citroën, Mitsubishi and Mini and has won many titles. He was world Production champion in 2009 and 2010 and seven times absolute national champion. National titles were won in 2003 and 2004 with a Citroën Saxo Kit-Car, in 2005 and 2006 with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR, 2018 at the wheel of a Hyundai i20 R5 and 2020 and 2022 in a Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. He is fourth in the Portuguese Rally Championship.

Signing of Protocol between Funchal City Council and Club Sports da Madeira

A cooperation protocol was signed today between Club Sports da Madeira and the Funchal City Council, an agreement whose purpose is financial cooperation, support with technical and logistical means for RVM 2023. In financial terms, the support of the municipality is around € 51,800.43 (fifty-one thousand, eight hundred euros and forty-three cents), part of the amount: € 1,815 (one thousand eight hundred and fifteen euros) will be allocated to the "Young Athlete" programme and € 49,985.43 (forty-nine thousand nine hundred and eighty-five euros and forty-three cents), for the organisation of the Rali Vinho da Madeira 2023. Pedro Calado, Mayor of Funchal, emphasised the importance of the event, with a very high international scope and great importance for the city of Funchal, both for the special races that take place on Avenida do Mar and in the Ecological Park, and for the location of the podium, Park Fermé and Service Park. José Paulo Fontes, President of the Organising Committee, took the opportunity to apologise to the people of Funchal and to thank them for their understanding, for the constraints on the mobility of those who circulate in Funchal, with between 25 000 and 30 000 people expected to attend the first Special stage "Funchal City".

Taking no risks

Spanish driver Diego Ruiloba is making his debut in a Citroën C3 Rally2 at Rali Vinho da Madeira, a competition that "I've only heard of and it's one of the most beautiful rallies in the world, which has been in the European Championship and where the best drivers have been. Competing against the locals is very difficult. Our aim is to drive as many kilometres as possible and get to know the car better, with a view to our main concern, which is the Spanish Championship. Everyone tells us that it's a very difficult rally but we're not going to take any risks because our aim is to get round and we don't care if we're fourth or fifth." Ruiloba is 22 years old and took his first steps in rallying in 2019 with a Peugeot 208. He was always in the top places in his class. In 2021 he was at the controls of a Suzuki Swift Sport and won the absolute level and among junior drivers in the trophy set up by the Japanese brand in Spain. Last year the car used was a Peugeot 208 Rally4 and he won the Peugeot Iberian Rally Cup. As a prize, this year he is defending the colours of Citroën with a C3 Rally2 and is fifth in the Spanish championship after climbing the podium twice.

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