Photo: Kuldīga County Council
On Friday, the press conference of the Tet Rally Latvia stage of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) was held in the Great Hall of the Kuldīgas County Council. In the presence of the chairperson of the Kuldīgas County Council Insese Astaševska and the director of Tet Rally Latvia Raimondas Strokšas, the rally activities planned in the city and in the Kuldīgas county were presented to the wider public. the planned Tet Rally Latvia speed stages, which will welcome their spectators this year. on July 20.
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 the Kuldīgas region, the world’s fastest rally crews will also have visited rallies in Monte Carlo, Sweden, Kenya, Croatia, Portugal, Italy and Poland.
Although this will not be the first time that an international motorsport competition is held in Kuldīgas region – in the period from 2013 to 2018 and in 2023, Kuldīgas region has already hosted the speed stages of the FIA European Rally Championship. However, similar to other places in Latvia, the year 2024 will mark a new quality bar, as the Kuldīgas region hosts the events of the highest sporting level – the FIA World Rally Championship.
“The stage of the FIA World Rally Championship is a significant achievement not only for the motorsport community, but for the whole of Latvia and also for the Kuldīgas region. The competition is not limited to speed stages on the track – it is a great contribution to our entrepreneurs, sports and cultural life. The rally in Kuldīga region is an old tradition respected by athletes and fans. I am glad that athletes of the highest – world level will be able to enjoy this, together with the unique natural scenery of our region and the historical heritage of UNESCO. We are proud to be a part of Tet Rally Latvia!” says Inese Astaševska, chairwoman of Kuldīga County Council.
Photo: Kuldīga County Council
With a press conference in Kuldīga on Friday, a series of several events was concluded, in April Tet Rally Latvia representatives visited all the cities of the Latvian stage of the world rally championship, reporting in detail about the activities planned in the respective city and region, as well as providing answers to the questions of the audience.
In the Great Hall, the activities planned for Kuldīga and Kuldīga district were presented in more detail – on July 19, in Kuldīga, we will solemnly welcome the crews of Tet Rally Latvia, who will go on a parade ride – first crossing the Ķieģeļu bridge, then continuing the route along Baznīcas street, then turning to Liepājas street, then to Kalpak street, and along Smilšu street, reaching the City Square, which you will continue on after bypassing.
Meanwhile, on Saturday morning, all Tet Rally Latvia crews will return to Kuldīgas region, where three speed stages will be planned. For the participants, the day will start with SS9 “Pilskalns” and SS10 “Snæpele”, after which all the crews will arrive at the Kuldīga City Square, where the media and participants’ area is planned – a place where those interested in the rally will be able to meet the participants of the world championship in person and see their cars .
After a short rest, the motor sportsmen will get back into the rally car to go to the third speed stage SS11 “İvande” planned in the Kuldīgas region. Although the exact spectator areas were not indicated today, the visitors of Tet Rally Latvia will be able to choose the one they like the most – both the winding section and the road section, which can be done at high speed; both narrow and wide roads, or a viewpoint with a springboard. But for those residents and guests of Kuldīga who will not be able to go to the speed stages, a special opportunity has been provided – a big screen will be placed in the city’s town square for four days and a special fan zone will be set up, where you can follow the events of all Tet Rally Latvia speed stages live.
“I am really glad that Kuldīga is one of the cities and counties of our Tet Rally Latvia, which has allowed the inclusion of truly challenging stages in the route of the WRC Latvian stage – with variable speeds, with variable road configurations, which will be equally challenging for the participants and exciting for the spectators .”
“I call on the residents and businessmen of Kuldīga to be understanding and accommodating towards the scheduled FIA World Rally Championship competitions and the restrictions and changes set to ensure a successful course of the competition. Also, take into account that on the days of the rally, especially on Saturday, July 20, there may be some unexpected traffic jams in Kuldīga district, related to the movement of rally visitors.”
“In the meantime, I invite the residents to use the opportunity and attend this rally competition of the highest sporting level – the speed stages are held just over ten kilometers away from our places of residence, and not in a foreign country. At the same time, I encourage everyone to spend Friday evening in Kuldīga – on the Brick Bridge and in the streets of the city center, to greet the Tet Rally Latvia crews together, creating unforgettable memories for them when entering Kuldīga for the first time!”
Photo: Kuldīga County Council
“But if you still doubt whether to visit the rally in person, take the opportunity and go to the fan zone created in the town hall square and appreciate the skills of the WRC crews with your own eyes. And know that not everything will be late – you will still have time to provide yourself with an unforgettable experience by visiting the speed stages scheduled for Saturday, July 20 in Kuldīgas region,” rally director Raimonds Strokšs invites you to enjoy the events of Tet Rally Latvia.
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!” says Jonah Siebel, head of WRC Promoter.
Tet Rally Latvia events planned in Kuldīga and Kuldīga region
TUESDAY, JULY 16 Familiarization with speed stages
FRIDAY, JULY 19 Tet Rally Latvia participants parade over the Brick Bridge and through the old town of Kuldīgas
SATURDAY, JULY 20 Tet Rally Latvia speed stages SS9 Pilskalns, SS10 Snēpele, SS11 İvande
SATURDAY, JULY 20 Tet Rally Latvia media zone and participants zone
THURSDAY, JULY 18 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Kuldīgas town square
FRIDAY, JULY 19 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Kuldīgas town square
SATURDAY, JULY 20 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Kuldīgas town square
SUNDAY, JULY 21 Tet Rally Latvia Fan zone, Kuldīgas town square
SS9
SS10
SS11
Resources used:
Jānis Unbedahts, RA EVENT
