Carlos Sainz did not win the Rally Vinho da Madeira when he was present on the island, still, his driving was never forgotten by Madeirans. The Spanish driver took part in the 1986 edition in a Renault 5 Turbo Maxi and was the only one to beat, at certain occasions, the future winner of the event, the Italian Fabrizio Tabaton in a Lancia Delta S4. Sainz thrilled the public with his performance in a rear-traction vehicle, but would come to give up more or less in the middles of the race, due to a fire starting in the car of the Spanish branch of Renault. 

Currently at 58 years old, Carlos Sainz debuted in motor-racing through speed competitions and only in 1980 did he move on to rallies. Madeira was a part of Sainz's first steps in internationalization. But it would be in 1987, also in Portugal, that he started to make an impression at the WRC.The Madrid driver went then through a number of brands and various car models until he left the world of racing, in 2005. In the middle, he became World champion in both 1990 and 1992, having by then already been the Spanish champion in 1987 and 1988. Currently he is a consultant on the construction of new competition models at many builders.