July 2023

The Madeira Rally Championship has not changed much going into 2023 and comprises the same seven races as last year. The season started in April in São Vicente. On the north coast, Alexandre Camacho got off to a good start and even benefited from a false-start penalty from his biggest opponent. However, with the arrival of the second day of competition, the champion Miguel Nunes managed to cancel the difference that separated him from the front and still impose himself in the event. Everything pointed to the driver of the Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo da Lotes coming to dominate as at the end of the previous season. However, Camacho made tweaks and other changes to the Play Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo and the championship story took a turn. The pace in the regional rallies was dictated by this driver who swept the competition in Calheta in May, Ribeira Brava in June and, more recently, in Machico. With this show of strength, Alexandre Camacho has a good lead in the championship and, with three events to go, Vinho da Madeira, Municipios de Câmara de Lobos e Funchal and 100 à Hora, the title can be quickly surrendered if Miguel Nunes fails to react. Miguel Caires started this year driving a Skoda Fabia R5 and, despite adapting to a much more powerful vehicle than his previous one, he has been in good shape, occupying, with a comfortable margin, the lowest place on the podium of the competition. Rui Pinto, in a Ford Fiesta Rally2, and José Camacho, in a Peugeot 208 T16 R5, have not shown the speed to climb the podium and are, at this stage, fourth and sixth in the championship promoted by the Portuguese Federation of Automobilism and Karting. The Porsche teams have had an irregular presence and performance this year. João Silva has an excellent position, fifth in the absolute standings. The driver of the FX Peugeot 208 Rally4 has dominated the events in his category and, at times, discussed places overall with opponents with more competitive vehicles. In this class, Renato Pita and Artur Quintal, both in Peugeot 208 Rally4, and Dinarte Baptista, with Renault Clio Rally4, have also been in evidence. Classification: 1st Alexandre Camacho, 112; 2nd Miguel Nunes, 89; 3rd Miguel Caires, 63; 4th Rui Pinto, 38; 5th João Silva, 36; 6th José Camacho, 24; 7th Paulo Mendes, 20; 8th Renato Pita, 18; 9th José P. Fontes, 17; 10th Artur Quintal, both in Peugeot 208 Rally4. 33 drivers are classified.

by Pedro Calado, co-driver "Very fast and demanding special stage. This year longer than usual. It starts climbing with some hairpins and fast and chained areas, passing next to the first tunnel, with an exit area that deserves attention. Alternating between fast areas, with climbs, descents, with very narrow areas and others very fast, where all attention is needed. The middle part of the section, between Curral Velho, Silveira and Lombo do Curral requires great driving and attention to some "mousetraps". The final part, from Feiteira de Cima to Eiras is simply spectacular in terms of driving and speed. The second passage through this section will be held at the end of the day and visibility will depend a lot on the weather conditions. The public thanks you."

Miguel Nunes starts Rali Vinho da Madeira determined to "do our best and be in the top places. This year the list is very well composed and there will be a lot of competition for the victory. We want to be in that fight and at that level of competitiveness. The RVM is always fought at a good pace, from start to finish, and it also requires some luck. We've already experienced that, something that makes us lose our way. In this competition, you have to follow the ideal line of trajectory for the entire length and you can easily lose focus for a few moments, which is penalising given the large number of candidates. The sections of the first stage this year have a wider geographical spread, which will make it even more challenging to make the right tyre choice. Everything counts and it can be quite difficult to have the most suitable tyres everywhere." Winner of the 2020 Rali Vinho da Madeira, Nunes is 42 years old and made his rallying debut in 2005 with a Citroën C2 R2. He has been behind the wheel of cars such as the Peugeot 206 S1600, Peugeot 207 S2000, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, Ford Fiesta R5, Citroën DS3 R5 and Hyundai i20 R5. He has been the absolute regional champion six times, in 2010, 2012, 2014 and from 2020 to 2022. He currently crews a Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo and is second in the Madeira Coral Rally Championship.

by Pedro Calado, co-driver "Classic and very difficult special stage, due to its length, difficulty and concentration. Initial part, from Palheiro Ferreiro to Terreiro da Luta, in a very fast and very technical driving area for about 7 km. We also pass through the spectacular area of Choupana with a beautiful (and cunning) jump, followed by the ascent of Ribeira das Cales to the South Gate of Chão da Lagoa. From there, we enter the mountains where all attention is little, especially if it is foggy or drizzling. Lots of driving, agile and absolute concentration. After the exit of the North Gate to Poiso, with fast descents, followed by the always spectacular Poiso intersection, where we have the company of a lot of public. Until the finish we have only about 500 meters. The weather conditions are very uncertain and the fog can help to mess up the times. Good ground in almost all the section. Attention only in the area of Chão da Lagoa, with the cobblestone and some killer bumps".