In the 4,4 km long shakedown stage only 0,29 seconds behind Estonian crew were Russian team Stanislavs Travnikovs/Aleksejs Basmakovs with "Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII".

The winner of the duel in R5 class was pilot from Ukraine Oleksijs Kikiresko ("Ford Fiesta R5") who were exactly 2,58 seconds faster than Martins Svilis who is the first ever Latvian pilot who drives with Ford Fiesta R5 car. The drivers were 0,91 and 3,49 seconds slower than the winner of shakedown stage Siim Plangi.

Between two-wheel drive cars the fastest time was set by Andis Neiksans (BMW M3), who was the winner of "Kurzeme 2012" . The leader of this season in "Drive DMack Fiesta Trophy" Sander Parn was 2,04 seconds slower than Neiksans.

Opening ceremony of the Festival of Speed - Rally "Kurzeme 2014" will start on Friday, August 29 in Rozu square, Liepaja at 15.15. The closing ceremony and prize giving for winners will take place on Saturtday, August 30 at 19.00 in beach bar of Liepaja "Red Sun Buffet".

Total distance of Rally "Kurzeme 2014" is 419,62 km where 11 Special Stages include 110,12 km.

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", in "Skandi Motors" in Riga Lielirbes street 32 and in Liepaja Brivibas street 146c, in tourism information centre in Liepaja Rozu square 5/6 and as well as in on-line sales points "Bilesuserviss.lv", "Piletilevi.ee", and "Bilietupasaulis.lt"

Inese Grinberga, rallykurzeme.lv. Photo: Aigars Tidmanis, Go4speed