Liepāja will host a city stage, Tet Rally Latvia final stage planned in Vecpils auto track of Dienvidkurzeme region
Today, in the Concert Hall Great Amber, the press conference of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) round Tet Rally Latvia took place, attended by the Mayor of the Liepāja city, Gunārs Ansiņš, the executive director of the Dienvidkurzeme region, Uldis Vārna, and the director of Tet Rally Latvia, Raimonds Strokšs. The audience was presented with both the service park planned in Liepāja and the special city stage in Liepāja’s Seaside park, as well as activities in Vecpils autocross track and Dienvidkurzeme region, where Tet Rally Latvia special stages will welcome the spectators in almost each of the rally days.
This year, from July 18th to 21st, Latvia will become the 37th country to host a round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), established in 1973. Tet Rally Latvia will be the eighth stage of the 2024 WRC Calendar. Before visiting Liepāja city and Dienvidkurzeme region, the fastest rally crews in the world will also have visited rallies in Monte Carlo, Sweden, Kenya, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, and Poland.
International rally competitions in Liepāja and Dienvidkurzeme region have been held for a long time, but since 2013, a stage of the FIA European Rally Championship has always been organized here. Similarly, to other places in Latvia, 2024 will mark a new benchmark, with Liepāja city and Dienvidkurzeme region hosting event of the highest sporting level – special stages of the FIA World Rally Championship Latvian round.
"Liepāja holds a rich tradition of motorsports. Since the 1960s, when the roots of rallying were first established in Liepāja, we have significantly grown, and this summer, we will welcome the world rally elite and thousands of motorsport enthusiasts to our home. The scale of this event will not only be a celebration, but also a test for all of us. Therefore, I urge every resident of Liepāja, especially entrepreneurs, to be open and hospitable, therefore enhancing the reputation of our city on the global stage," says Gunārs Ansiņš, the Mayor of Liepāja.
"We are honoured to host such a large and international motorsport event in Dienvidkurzeme region. It is an honour for our region as a whole, as well as for motorsport enthusiasts – both our residents and visitors, who I sincerely hope will come from near and far. We will do everything in our power to welcome our guests – crews, organizers, and spectators with the utmost hospitality. And we truly hope that between the rally special stages, they will find time to explore our region. These days will also coincide with the 'Home Cafes Day' – you are warmly invited to visit our hospitable and talented hosts who will open their doors and share their gastronomic talents. I wish everyone great mood, be safe, and leave with satisfaction from the experience. See you at the rally!" says Aivars Priedols, executive director of Dienvidkurzeme region.
At the press conference in Liepāja today, a series of events in April was continued, with representatives from Tet Rally Latvia visiting all the cities hosting stages of the FIA World Rally Championship round in Latvia. In each city, they are providing detailed information about the planned activities in the respective city and region, as well as answering questions from those present.
In the Concert Hall Great Amber, the activities planned in Liepāja and the Dienvidkurzeme region were presented in more details – service park in Liepāja’s Karosta, ten special stages including Liepāja city stage, as well as activities planned in Vecpils auto track, where, on Sunday, a special festive atmosphere is expected – not only the final stage of the first WRC Tet Rally Latvia, but also meeting with the crews, who will have regroup and media zones there.
For those Liepāja residents and visitors who may not be able to attend the special stages, a special opportunity will be provided – a large screen will be set up in the fan zone at rally service park to watch live coverage of all Tet Rally Latvia stages. From there it will be easy to also witness the ongoing activities in team garages or to meet favourite drivers.
“Many thanks to our rally city Liepāja and Dienvidkurzeme region, for being with us on this journey of development and growth since 2013, leading us to the pinnacle of rally racing – round of the FIA World Rally Championship in Latvia.
Once again, Liepāja will be the heart and centre of our rally – a city where the days will be filled not only with activity around the rally service park, but also with excitement on the city stage – delighting all residents and visitors of Liepāja on Saturday evening. We have also found unique solution around the Vecpils auto track, where various rally events will take place throughout the final day of the rally - participants will have regroup zones during the day, followed by the climax - the last meters of the rally and the greeting of the winners right at the edge of the special stage, followed by the celebratory photo shoot of the winning team and a press conference.
I invite the residents and entrepreneurs of Liepāja and the Dienvidkurzeme region to welcome the planned round of the FIA World Rally Championship with understanding, along with the associated restrictions and changes, to ensure the successful progress of the competition. Please note that during the days of the rally, especially on Saturday, July 20th, and Sunday, July 21st, unforeseen traffic congestion may occur both in the city and in the region due to the movement of rally visitors.
Meanwhile, I encourage residents to seize the opportunity and attend this highest-level rally competition – as special stages will take place right at our doorstep, in the stages we are so familiar with. But if for any reason you cannot attend the special stages – take advantage of the provided opportunity to visit the fan zone set up in the service park, where you will be able to witness all special stages of the Tet Rally Latvia on a large screen for four days straight, and during breaks observe the work of mechanics in the team facilities, meet the competitors of the World Championship, who will give interviews on a specially designed stage on Friday and Saturday evenings – thus gaining insight into the exciting world of rally racing!” encourages rally director Raimonds Strokšs, inviting everyone to enjoy the events of Tet Rally Latvia.
Considering the latest changes in the technical regulations of the FIA World Rally Championship, starting from the 2025 season, it is planned to abandon the use of the hybrid unit, thereby reducing the costs of the cars, but, at the same time, also reducing the overall power of the cars. This means that for the first time in hosting the FIA World Rally Championship round, Tet Rally Latvia spectators will have the opportunity to witness historically the most powerful and fastest rally cars ever driven by WRC crews.
“What does a successful WRC event mean? Firstly, the top sporting concept – you have that – very challenging and full of variety, so many different regions across Latvia are involved. From capital city Riga to the rally city Liepāja on the shore of the Baltic Sea. Secondly, the top professional organisation, you have also that. Well structured, hard work with a qualified team. What you have achieved so far in the ERC and the rallycross is already fantastic. Thirdly, super passionate fan base from Latvia will create a special atmosphere, we are sure, and many will also come from neighbouring countries. Furthermore, with TV3 and all the other media cooperation’s, we have great distribution in the region, which means we will achieve an exceptional return of investment for all your partners of Tet Rally Latvia. Ladies and gentleman, let us write another big success story together with you. See you in Latvia!” WRC Promoter director Jona Siebel.
WRC Tet Rally Latvia activities planned in Liepāja and Dienvidkurzeme region
TUESDAY, JULY 16
Reconnaissance
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
Reconnaissance
THURSDAY, JULY 18
Service park and fan zone opens
THURSDAY, JULY 18
Shakedown stage SD Cimdenieki
SATURDAY, JULY 20
Special Stages SS12/14 Vecpils, SS13 Podnieki, SS15 Dinsdurbe, and SSS16 Liepāja City Stage
SUNDAY, JULY 20
Special Stages SS17/19 Krogzemji, SS18/20 Mazilmāja (Power Stage)
SUNDAY, JULY 20
Rally finish and prize giving ceremony in Vecpils auto track
Tet Rally Latvia supports initiatives carried out by Latvian Children's Support Centre,
who has created and are developing social rehabilitation facility for children with special needs.
We invite you to support this initiative, by making a donation: http://www.lbaf.lv/lv/ka-ziedot.
Tet Rally Latvia, round of the FIA World Rally Championship, is set to take place on July 18-21, 2024. The event is possible thanks to the support provided by Ministry of Education and Science, rally city Liepāja and capital city Rīga, as well as municipalities of Tukums, Talsi, and Kuldīga. Special thanks to general sponsor Tet, many thanks to our main sponsors Ramirent and Sportland, official car partner Toyota, as well as sponsors SIXT and BTA. Thanks to our partners Canon Biznesa Centrs Liepāja, DHL, Fristads, Latvijas Valsts meži and municipality of Dienvidkurzeme. Informative support provided by news portal DELFI and Sporta Avīze. Thanks to Tet Rally Latvia supporters AKROPOLE, Biķernieku trase, CSDD, Elnetworks, Flora, FN Serviss, Jānis Pūce, Löfbergs, MB Grupa, Mission Latvia, OCT Composites, Peltors, Rentadisplay, SignTech, Törley, Travel Latvia, as well as technical partner Sports Racing Technologies. Tet Rally Latvia is organised by RA Events in cooperation with Speed Festival Kurzeme and Latvian Automobile Federation.
