The combined speed stage of ‘Tet Rally Latvia’ will take place in Talsi and Talsi district

Photo: Municipality of Talsu Region

The press conference of the FIA ​​World Rally Championship (WRC) stage “Tet Rally Latvia” was held in the Tornīš hall of the Talsu Town Hall, in which, with the participation of the chairman of the municipal council of Talsu region Andis Āboliņas and the director of Tet Rally Latvia Raimondas Strokšas, the rally planned in the city was presented to the wider public activities, as well as Tet Rally Latvia high-speed stages planned in Talsos and Talsu region, which will welcome their spectators this year. on July 19.

This year, 18.-21. in July, Latvia will become the 37th country that has hosted a stage of the FIA ​​World Rally Championship (WRC) founded in 1973 at least once. Tet Rally Latvia will be the eighth stage of the 2024 season of the world championship – before visiting Talsi and the Talsi region, the world’s fastest rally crews will also visit rallies in Monte Carlo, Sweden, Kenya, Croatia, Portugal, Italy and Poland.

This will not be the first time that an international motorsport competition takes place in Talsi region, gathering not a single well-known crew. The Rally Talsi or Rally of Champions stage of the Latvian Rally championship was previously held in the Talsi district, where the WRC starting pilots – Ots Tanaks, Andreas Mikkelsens, Mads Ostberg and Kalle Rovanpera – visited later. Meanwhile, in 2019, Talsi region became part of the Latvian stage of the FIA ​​European Rally Championship, hosting the speed stages of the first day of the competition. However, similar to other places in Latvia, the year 2024 will mark a new quality bar, as Talsiem and Talsi region will host the events of the highest sporting level – the FIA ​​World Rally Championship.

“Talsi has long been a city with rally roots, so we are honored that our region has the opportunity to participate in a historic event: the first stage of the FIA ​​World Rally Championship (WRC) in Latvia. The Strazde speedway has been well known to motorists for a long time, it is shrouded in legends, just as the Talsu city stage and our hills have always had their charm. This is an opportunity not only for our residents – to see this historic competition close to their homes, but also for the businessmen of the region – to take care of the reception of motor sports fans. We’ll see you at the rally in Talsos, wherever you want!” says the chairwoman of the municipal council of Talsu region Andis Aboliņš.

Today, a series of several events ended with a press conference in Talsos, with Tet Rally Latvia representatives visiting all the cities of the Latvian stage of the World Rally Championship, reporting in detail on the activities planned in the respective city and region, as well as providing answers to the questions of the audience.

Thus, the activities planned in Talsi and Talsi region were more widely presented in the Tornīša hall – the first visitors will be welcomed by the caterers of the Street food festival, who will start bustling on Liela Street already in the first half of the day. Meanwhile, the speed stages in the Talsu region are planned in two parts – for the first time it will be possible to see WRC crews in SS4 Andumi, which will start exactly at noon. But later in the afternoon, two more speed stages are planned for the crews – first SS7 Strazde, and at the end of the day also the combined speed stage SS8 Talsi – the first part of which is planned for Talsos – the start on Gravas Street, then the route will lead along the market and further along Ezera Street to Pilsētas Square, then along Fabrikas Street along Lake Talsi would be taken further in the direction of Sauleskalns. Although the exact spectator areas have not been specified yet, Tet Rally Latvia visitors will be able to choose the one they like the most – both a slow and winding section and a viewing area where the crews can be seen rushing at high speed; both narrow and wide roads, or a viewpoint with a springboard. But for those Talsi residents and guests who will not be able to find the opportunity to go to the speed stages, a special opportunity has been provided – the big screen will be operating in Talsi City Square for four days and a special fan zone will be set up, where you can follow the events of all the Tet Rally Latvia speed stages live. It should be mentioned here that due to security reasons, seats in the fan zone will not be available during SS8 Talsi.

“I am really excited for July 19, when the FIA ​​World Rally Championship stage will take place in my hometown of Tulsa – a competition that I have been thinking about ever since I sat behind the wheel of a rally car. Friday evening in Talsi promises to be sportingly and visually magnificent – first of all, the fulfillment of the most ardent dreams is expected, as the WRC crews perform the pearl of the Talsi district rally and jump over the Strazde springboard. But at the end of the day, another unique speed stage will follow, which will basically be two speed stages combined into one – its first part is planned in the city of Talsi, but at the end it will “leave” the city and become a full-fledged ground speed stage, providing quite a challenge for the rally crews.”

“I call on the residents and businessmen of Talsi to be understanding and welcoming towards the scheduled FIA World Rally Championship competitions and the specified changes in the traffic organization in order to ensure a successful course of the competition. Keep in mind that on the days of the rally, but especially on Friday, July 19, some restrictions will be set in both Talsi and the Talsi region and unexpected traffic jams may occur, related to the rally’s speed stage and the movement of visitors.
In the meantime, I invite the residents to take advantage of the opportunity and attend this rally competition of the highest sporting level – as the speed stages take place only ten kilometers away from our places of residence, and not in a foreign country! But if for some reason you won’t be able to visit the speed stages – use the opportunity to visit the fan zone created in Talsa City Square, where you can watch all Tet Rally Latvia speed stages live on the big screen for four days,” the rally director invites you to enjoy the events of Tet Rally Latvia Raimonds Strokhs.

We would like to point out to those interested in the rally that, in celebration of the press conference held, only today, April 30, at the Biļešu Paradīze sales point in Talsu Tautas nama, the Tet Rally Latvia four-day ticket (for all speed stages) and the Friday ticket (which will allow you to visit the speed stages taking place in Talsu region) have been specially determined reduced price.

Taking into account 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 an electric motor (“hybrid unit”) – thus reducing the cost of the car, but also the total power of the car. This means that as Latvia hosts the FIA ​​World Rally Championship for the first time, visitors to Tet Rally Latvia will have the opportunity to witness the historically most powerful and fastest rally cars ever raced by WRC crews.

What does a successful WRC stage mean? First of all, a top-level sports concept – that’s it for you, full of variety and challenges, including various regions of Latvia, from the capital Riga to the rally city Liepāja, on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Secondly, a top-level organization – you have that too! A well-structured, professional team that has already achieved a lot in the European Rally Championship and rallycross. Thirdly, passionate fan base – we are sure that Latvian fans will create a special atmosphere, and many fans will join from neighboring countries as well. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s write another success story together! See you in Latvia!” WRC Promoter Manager Jonah Siebel.

News and more information about the Tet Rally Latvia stage of the FIA ​​World Rally Championship (WRC) can be found on the website www.lvrally.com, as well as on social networks X @LVRally, Facebook @LVRally, Instagram @lvrally and TikTok @tetrallylatvia. Meanwhile, news and information about the FIA ​​World Rally Championship can be found on the website www.wrc.com.

TET RALLY LATVIA EVENTS PLANNED IN TALSOS AND TALSU REGION
TUESDAY, JULY 16 Familiarization with speed stages
FRIDAY, JULY 19 Street food festival is open, as well as Tet Rally Latvia VIP area
FRIDAY, JULY 19 Tet Rally Latvia speed stages SS4 Andumi, SS7 Strazde, SS8 Talsi
THURSDAY, JULY 18 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Talsu City Square
FRIDAY, JULY 19 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Talsu City Square
SATURDAY, JULY 20 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Talsu City Square
SUNDAY, JULY 21 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Talsu City Square

Tet Rally Latvia helps the Latvian Children’s Support Fund to create and develop a place for social rehabilitation services for children with special needs. We also invite you to support this initiative by making a donation.

Information prepared by:

Jānis Unbedahts