This year, rally "Kurzeme 2014" will also include Krogzemju special stage which has not been a part of this track since 2010. One of the most enjoyable spectators spot will be legendary Simashkas turns in the Priekule district special stage where in 2002 European autocross champion Aurely Simashka from Lithuania somersaulted his car, "Ford Focus WRC" which at the moment was exclusive car in the Baltic States.

"We are preparing the competition track mainly on the wide and firm gravel roads of the Liepāja region. They are capable to withstand the load of more than 100 participants, as well as allow competitors to do wide high-speed drifting. Race car drivers will face interesting, fast, and technically difficult track, while the specators will be delighted by several large springboards and tricky "slipping” places where mistakes are made also by the most skilful crews, " says Uldis Hmieļevskis, the head of the Festival of Speed – Rally "Kurzeme 2014". "Competitors will perform more than 110 kilometers in 11 special stages. Spectators will be able to see three to four special stages during each day of the rally. Vecpils, Stroķacs jump, Kaģene, Krogzemji, Simashka turns, Liepieni – these are only few of the place names included in the descriptions of the rally view-sites. "

Rally will begin on Thursday evening, August 28, when competitors will test their abilities the shakedown special stage, where in few kilometers all most important gravel rally elements will be combined. But fight for the victory will begin Friday afternoon, August 29, with Liepāja city special stage. On Friday, all crews will perform city special stage twice and three gravel special stages.

On Saturday morning, competitors will be accompanied by participants of the Latvian Rally Sprint Championship for the longest and most difficult day of the competition. Finish of the rally will be concluded with Liepāja city special stage. Gravel special stages of the rally will wind through the roads of the Nīca, Rucava, Priekule, Durbe, and Aizpute districts this year.

Rally "Kurzeme" is oldest rally in the Baltic States with richest traditions, and it is held in Liepāja since 1965. Liepāja has welcomed Latvian SSR and USSR championship events and, after the restoration of independence, Lithuanian, Estonian, and Russian championship events as well. For several years "Kurzeme" was deemed as well-organized cup of the European championship.

Since 2010, "Kurzeme" is not an ordinary rally – it is the Festival of Speed gathering the best rally drivers from Latvia and closest neighboring countries and participants from other motorsports, as well. This year, the program of the Festival of Speed will be enriched by the final cup of the Latvian Open Water Motorsports Championship of Powerboats, taking place directly in the center of Liepāja, as well as other motorsport activities.

Festival of Speed – rally "Kurzeme 2014" is organized in co-operation with "LDz Cargo", Liepāja city, Port of Liepāja, "VEGA 1", "Canon IBServiss", "Cēsu alus", "Ramirent", "LDC datortehnika", “IF Apdrošināšana”, official car Nissan from "Skandi Motors".

Tickets can be purchased in advance in the cash registers of "Biļešu serviss", as well as in on-line sales points "Bilesuserviss.lv", "Piletilevi.ee", and "Bilietupasaulis.lt".

Dzintars Hmieļevskis. Foto: Rando Aav