July 2023

Filipe Freitas returns to the Rali Vinho da Madeira with the Porsche 991 GT3 and intends to "drive the best that we can and win the RGT group. In this rally we will be 5 competitors in this group and that will bring more excitement. Besides, I'll wait and see during the race where we position ourselves to set goals in terms of the general classification. In Machico our car still lacked some parts that we will already have in this competition and, logically, our times should improve. Last year we had a shortage of tyres and in 2023, at least at this stage, we still don't know if we will have all the ones we need. I hope the weather is mild because with the Porsche we suffer a lot in the rain or in the heat." Freitas is 51 years old and completed his first rally in 1998 with a Citroën AX GTi. The following year he switched to a Citroën Saxo and has since driven Renault Clio RS, Citroën Saxo Kit-Car, Opel Astra Kit-Car, VW Golf IV Kit-Car, Renault Clio S1600 and Porsche 997 GT3. He was absolute regional champion in 2013 and 2016 with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, RGT in 2016, 2020 and 2022 and two-wheel drive in 2009.

From today, the Rali Vinho da Madeira Organising Committee has put on sale tickets to watch the 1st Special Stage, called Funchal city, from the stands. The available tickets will be sold at the RVM Operational Centre, at Escola Profissional Atlântico, Marina Fórum Building and Avenida Arriaga, Funchal. For the stand located on Avenida Sá Carneiro, tickets have a unit value of € 20 and for the stand located in Praça da Autonomia, each ticket will cost € 15. The number of tickets is limited, so those interested should go to the place of sale as sson as possible.

Gil Freitas debuts an Alpine A110 RGT in Rali Vinho da Madeira, in a presence where "the essential thing is to participate, finish and try to have the most fun. We start without any goal in terms of classification or results. I will only drive the car one day before the race and only during the competition will I get to know the Alpine of Chazel, one of the teams that developed it. I think this is going to be a very competitive edition of the RGT group and I'm off the pace. We're going to take part and drive. It will be new for us. There's everything to be surprised about". The driver made his debut in 2013 with an Opel Kadett GT/E, a model from which he changed, in the same year, to an Opel Ascona 400. Between 2014 and 2016 he was at the controls of a Porsche 997 GT3 and, on the ramps, he won the AMAK Trophy in all those years and, in rallies, he was national champion of the grouping in 2015. Since then, he has driven Citroën DS3 R5, Porsche 991 GT3, Subaru Impreza S14 WRC and, most recently, Hyundai i20 R5. The car to be used in the Club Sports da Madeira organisation is due to return to France after the event.

The 64th edition of Rali Vinho da Madeira has everything to be another great success, which is the trademark image of such an important and historic event in European motorsports.  Rali Vinho da Madeira is, therefore and unquestionably, an event of international nature, as it is a very important vehicle to promote the Autonomous Region of Madeira, including Madeira, in terms of tourism, with a tremendous economic impact, particularly at a municipal and local level, as can be seen by the dynamics involving the municipalities where the rally takes place. The importance of Rali Vinho da Madeira in the official calendar of events of the Autonomous Region of Madeira is also confirmed by the receptivity and friendliness with which it is welcomed by practically the entire population.  Being so, locals and visitors follow the rally from start to finish, filling our mountains and roads during the days of the race, in an unparalleled festive and colourful atmosphere, as it is a perfect example of the way locals cherish the event. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the competence and professionalism of the organisation of the Rali Vinho da Madeira, which is doing everything it can to set an international example, with the support of not only the Regional Government, but also the Municipalities, including the Funchal City Council. In this edition, I am sure that Madeira, once again, will show its excellent organizational capabilities, as well as all its potential and infrastructural qualities, which make us a region with all the conditions to receive and organise major events, as is unequivocally Rali Vinho da Madeira. I would also like to address a few words to our locals, who are extraordinarily passionate about remembering the importance of civic and safety so that, together, we can make this edition of the Rali Vinho da Madeira another great success. I am also grateful for all the support from the Regional Government and the various municipalities, not forgetting that the success of this motorsport in our archipelago depends on this strong public support and the businesspersons, because it is this way, bringing together all these necessary contributions that we maintain a very competitive fleet of cars. Finally, to all the teams, but also to all those who participate and collaborate so that our Rali Vinho da Madeira is always a success, I wish you an excellent rally, and my heartfelt thanks to all of you, who give the best of yourselves to this motorsport. Pedro Miguel Amaro de Bettencourt Calado Mayor of Funchal and of the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of Madeira Autonomous Region of Madeira