In order for Latvia to be able to host the World Rally Championship (WRC) stage in 2024, a total of 2.85 million euros would be needed, Raimonds Strokšs, the director of RA Events, opened today in the Saeima Sports Subcommittee.
He informed that an offer had been received regarding the possibility to host one WRC stage in Latvia in 2024. Stroks emphasized that the WRC rally has the highest step in the rally hierarchy, while in the whole world of motorsport this championship yields only to F-1 or Formula One.
The director of “RA Events” revealed that in 2009 the company held the first rally “Rally Talsi” and set itself the goal – to take Latvia to the WRC. “We have dedicated 13 years to this goal and the European Rally Championship has been held in Latvia since 2013. Every year we are progressing and the goal was to comply with us at the WRC,” said Stroks, adding that the work has resulted in a letter in which the World Championship organizer makes an offer to Latvia to complete the WRC stage in 2024.
He did not hide that this is a rather complex offer, as it envisages that Latvia must organize the stages of the European Rally Championship in 2022 and 2023, and in 2024 – the WRC stage. At the same time, starting from 2025, Latvia would have an opportunity for a new cycle of cooperation, if the former were successful.
The required state support in 2022 is a total of 400,000 euros. Most of this amount, or € 300,000, is needed to pay for the championship license and another € 100,000 for the organizational costs of preparing for the WRC stage. A year later, in 2023, the required amount would be 650,000 euros, of which 400,000 are needed for license payment and 250,000 – for organizational costs.
At the same time, there was information that next year only 100,000 euros would be needed next year and in 2023 – 250,000 euros, because part of the amount is already provided for in the state budget.
In turn, in 2024, where the WRC stage would be held, the total required amount would be 1.8 million euros. Strokes said € 1.2 million would be needed for the championship license, € 300,000 for organizational costs and another € 300,000 for the International Automobile Federation (FIA) license fee.
At the same time, he pointed out that the total budget of the event also includes the support of regional cities, offered by the cities of Talsi, Kuldiga and Liepaja, contributions from sponsors and partners, as well as income from participation fees and tickets sold.
In case the government makes a positive decision and agrees to hold this event in Latvia, the actual work on the WRC stage will start immediately. The letter received stipulates that Latvia must provide its response by the end of this year.
Stroks explained that the stages of the European Rally Championship in the next two years are like testing and preparation platforms. We would have two years to prepare for the WRC.
“We have no illusions that with the current resources we can organize this stage. It will require additional manpower, greater involvement of state resources and operational services,” said the director of RA Events, adding that Latvia could receive 20 million euros from organizing this event.
At the same time, he pointed out that if the event held in 2024 were profitable, RA Events would be willing to deduct the earnings from the state budget, thus compensating the provided support.
Stroks also said that if the WRC stage is held in Latvia in 2024, the rally area will become even bigger and, most likely, the start will be from Riga, driving further through Tukums, Talsi, Kuldiga and Liepaja.
“It is planned to drive through a very large part of Latvia, and the support of local governments will be of great importance,” said the organizer of the rally events, noting that in fact the confirmation of support from these cities has been received.
On the part of the government, by the end of the year, the WRC promoter must provide a guarantee, a factual letter that the Cabinet of Ministers has committed to provide the necessary funding and undertake this commitment.
Member of Parliament Raimonds Bergmanis (ZZS) asked whether the organizers of the rally want Latvia to get involved in organizing the championship for a longer period of time, namely after 2024, to which Strokšs replied that it would be “dull”.
The WRC letter provides for the possibility of re-running this three-year cycle, with a two-year European Rally Championship and a third World Cup. “It would be dull every year, but it would be great every three years,” said the director of RA Events.
After hearing Strokšu, the members of the subcommittee decided to prepare a letter to the government asking them to support the admission of the WRC stage in Latvia.
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