Talsi city and region will host combined special stage
Today, in the Tower hall of the Talsi Folk House, the press conference of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) stage Tet Rally Latvia took place, attended by the Mayor of the Talsi region, Andis Āboliņš, and the director of Tet Rally Latvia, Raimonds Strokšs. The audience was presented with both the rally activities planned in the city and the Tet Rally Latvia stages scheduled in Talsi and the Talsi region, which will welcome spectators on July 19th of this year.
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 Talsi city and Talsi region, the fastest rally crews in the world will also have visited rallies in Monte Carlo, Sweden, Kenya, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, and Poland.
This certainly will not be the first time when international rally competitions are held in the Talsi region, gathering numerous well-known crews. Previously, the Talsi region has hosted a stage of the Latvian Rally Championship called Rally Talsi or Rally of Champions, which has also been visited by WRC drivers such as Ott Tänak, Andreas Mikkelsen, Mads Østberg, and Kalle Rovanperä. Meanwhile, in 2019, the Talsi region became part of the FIA European Rally Championship stage in Latvia, hosting the special stages of the first day of the rally. However, similarly to other places in Latvia, the 2024 will mark a new standard, with Talsi and the Talsi region hosting events of the highest sporting level – stages of the FIA World Rally Championship.
"Talsi has long been a city with rallying roots, so we are honoured that our region has the opportunity to participate in a historic event: the first ever round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in Latvia. The Strazde special stage is well-known to rally drivers, steeped in legends, as well as the charm has always been present in the Talsi city stage and our hills every time. This is an opportunity not only for our residents to witness this historic competition almost at home, but also for our regional businesses to ensure the welcoming of rally enthusiasts. Where else but in Talsi rally we’ll meet!" said Andis Āboliņš, Mayor of the Talsi region.
With a press conference in Talsi today, a series of events concluded, with representatives from Tet Rally Latvia visiting all the cities hosting stages of the 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.
At the Talsi Folk House, the activities planned in Talsi and the Talsi region were presented in more details. The first to welcome their visitors will be the participants of the Street Food Festival, who will start their activities on Lielā Street early on Friday. Meanwhile, the special stages in the Talsi region are planned in two parts – at first WRC crews will be able to be seen at SS4 Andumi, which will start right at midday. Later in the afternoon, two more stages are planned for the crews – first SS7 Strazde, and at the end of the day, the combined city stage SS8 Talsi. The start of the stage is planned in Talsi – starting on Gravas Street, then continuing along the market and further along Ezera Street to the Town Square, then along Fabrikas Street along Talsi Lake towards Sauleskalns (Sun hill). Although precise spectator areas were not indicated today, visitors of the Tet Rally Latvia will be able to choose their preferred option – whether it's a slow and winding section or a spectator zone where crews are visible racing at high speed; whether it's narrow or wide roads, or a viewing point with a jump. But for those Talsi residents and visitors who won't be able to attend the stages, a special opportunity has been provided - a large screen will be set up in Talsi Town Square for four days, along with a dedicated fan zone where they will be able to watch live coverage of all Tet Rally Latvia special stages. It should be noted here, that due to safety considerations, seating in the fan zone will not be available during the SS8 Talsi city stage.
"With genuine excitement, I am looking forward to July 19th when the Latvian round of the FIA World Rally Championship will take place in my hometown Talsi – a competition, the occurrence of which I have been thinking about since the moment I myself sat behind the wheel of a rally car. Friday evening in Talsi promises to be both sporty and visually stunning - first, we can expect the realization of the greatest dreams, with WRC crews tackling the pearl of the Talsi region and jumping over the Strazde jump. But at the end of the day, there will be another unique stage, essentially two stages combined into one – its start is planned in Talsi city, but then it will 'leave' the city and become a full-fledged gravel stage, providing quite a challenge for rally crews.
I urge the residents and entrepreneurs of Talsi to be understanding and accommodating towards the scheduled FIA World Rally Championship competition and the specified restrictions and changes to ensure the successful progress of the competition. Also, please be aware that on rally days, especially on Friday, July 19th, unforeseen traffic congestion may occur in Talsi and the Talsi region due to ongoing special stages and the movement of rally visitors.
Meanwhile, I encourage residents to seize the opportunity and attend this highest-level rally competition - with the special stages taking place just few kilometres away from our homes. But if you still hesitate to attend the rally in person, take advantage of the opportunity and head to the fan zone set up in the Talsi City Square, where you will be able to witness all special stages of the Tet Rally Latvia on the big screen for four days straight,” rally director Raimonds Strokšs encourages, 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 Talsi and Talsi region
TUESDAY, JULY 16
Reconnaissance
FRIDAY, JULY 19
Street food festival starts, as well as Tet Rally Latvia VIP zone
FRIDAY, JULY 19
Tet Rally Latvia special stages SS4 Andumi, SS7 Strazde, SS8 Talsi
THURSDAY, JULY 18
Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Talsi City Square
FRIDAY, JULY 19
Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Talsi City Square
SATURDAY, JULY 20
Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Talsi City Square
SUNDAY, JULY 21
Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Talsi City Square
Tet Rally Latvia supports initiatives carried out by LatvianChildren's Support Centre,
who has created and are developing social rehabilitation facility for childrenwith special needs.
We invite you to support this initiative, by making a donation: http://www.lbaf.lv/lv/ka-ziedot.
News and other information about the Tet Rally Latvia, round of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), available at www.lvrally.com, as well as on social media X @LVRally, Facebook @LVRally, Instagram @lvrally, and TikTok @tetrallylatvia. While, news about the FIA World Rally Championship available at www.wrc.com.
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 – shopping malls 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.
