Rally Latvija city stages in Jūrmala

In this year’s programme, there are not one, not two, but three special stages on the streets of Jūrmala.

On Saturday, July 22, Rally Latvija competitors will gather in Ķemeri, so that at 20:40 they can start the final stage of day one – SS7 JURMALA KEMERI SPECIAL.

Rally Latvija will return to Jūrmala on Sunday, July 23, when, at 15:00, SS10/11 JURMALA CITY SPECIAL will be tackled twice by the historic rally and rally crews, followed later by minirally competitors.

Rally Latvija ceremonial start and awards ceremony in Autobrava car dealership

For the second year in a row, Rally Latvija will begin and conclude near the Biķernieki track, in the cosy premises of Autobrava car dealership. On Saturday, starting from 11:40, the historic rally, rally, and rallysprint crews will go over the ceremonial start podium. A day later, on Sunday, the awards ceremony will begin at 20:30.

Biķernieki parallel stage to conclude Rally Latvija

Multiple Rally Latvija stages will take place in the Biķernieki track in Rīga. The rally itinerary contains both the car and motorcycle part of the track, as well as the section used in the World Rallycross Championship.

For spectators, Saturday is sure to be eventful, with the rally, historic rally, and rallysprint crews coming to Biķernieki starting from 11:55. During the day, the rally crews will have four special stages on the track, while the historic rally and rallysprint competitors will tackle the track five times, with the last one being a parallel stage. In addition to that, the service park in Biķernieki will be open throughout the day, making it possible to see the “other side” of rallying, which is often missing from the photos and videos of the event.

Sunday will be no less exciting, with Minirally Latvija competitors tackling the Biķernieki track starting from 12:30. During the day, the minirally competitors will have four special stages on the track, before handing it over to the final part of Rally Latvija – both Historic Rally Latvija and the Latvian Rally Championship round Rally Latvija will conclude in Biķernieki with SS12 CONTI STL PARRALEL STAGE BIKERNIEKI TRACK parallel special stage!

Gravel stages

Meanwhile, spectators who plan to see some of the gravel stages will be able to do so on both sides of the Daugava river – the gravel stages that we typically see in Latvian rallying will take place on Ropaži (from 14:30, SS3 HYDROSCAND) and Ogre (from 15:30, SS4 RAMIRENT) region roads on Saturday, before moving to Tukums (from 12:30, SS8 RALLY LATVIJA – 20 YEARS, and from 13:20, SS9 RALLY LATVIJA FINAL COUNTDOWN) region on Sunday.

Stage maps

Rally Latvija stage maps are available on the official website of the rally at www.autorally.lv. It is important to note that when buying a ticket to all rally stages, you will also receive an information leaflet that contains the stage maps, their starting times, descriptions of the spectator areas, and safety information.

Rally Latvija calendar

Celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the first Rally Latvija in 1997, a special souvenir was prepared for this year – a table calendar that goes all the way to December of 2018. The calendar contains pictures of past winners of Rally Latvija. The calendar costs 10.00 EUR and is available in Hydroscand and at the Biķernieki track cash desk.

Tickets

Rally Latvija spectator kits, containing two tickets to all rally stages, car parking ticket for specially made parking areas, as well as the spectator information leaflet with special stage maps, times, descriptions of spectator areas, and safety information, are available in various Hydroscand locations. The spectator kit price is 20.00 EUR if bought on or before July 21. More information on the various ticket options is available on www.autorally.lv.

Rally Radio

On both Saturday and Sunday, all news from the stages, Service Park and the rally centre will be covered by the Rally Latvija Rally Radio, which will be available online at radio.autorally.lv.

Be a responsible spectator

Rally Latvija organizers would like to remind all rally, rallysprint, historic rally and minirally spectators that motorsports events are dangerous, and that your safety depends solely on your actions at the spectating areas at the special stages. We invite you to spectate from the specially designed spectator areas, which the organizer has made as safe as possible. The rally organizer cannot take any responsibility for spectator safety in spots that are outside of these spectator areas.

Rally Latvija would like to thank its partner, Jūrmala City Council, for their support in organizing a Latvian Rally Championship event, and would also like to thank sponsor Conti STL. Gratitude also goes out to Autobrava, Drift, Hydroscand, and Prodex, as well as supporters Biķernieki track, Canon, Maestri, and Ramirent. Informative support is provided by TVNET, Tavs Auto, and RA Events.

More information and the results can be found on the official website of the Latvian Rally Championship at http://autorally.lv/, as well as on social media - Twitter, facebook, and YouTube.

Latvian Rally Championship round Rally Latvija has changed its usual autumn date and moved to the warmest month of the year, taking place on July 22 and 23. This year, Rally Latvija has been included in the FIA Baltic Rally Trophy calendar, inviting the competitors from all three Baltic countries! In addition to that, spectators will also be able to see Historic Rally Latvija, as well as Rallysprint Latvija, and Minirally Latvija as part of the event.

Jānis Unbedahts, RA EVENTS. Photo: Raimonds Volonts