ERC - European Rally Champioship 2008

Round 7, Portugal

European Rally Championship

It is worth knowing Madeira Island and its most important sports event. Located in the Atlantic Ocean, with one of the oldest touristic traditions of european history, Madeira is currently an example of development, modernity and self assurance. Madeira Wine Rally, with its image is no more than the result of the madeiran will to assert its excellency and quality. On this island of sun, blue sea and unique natural beauty take place, all year long, several events with the special feature of the participation of its residents who side by side with the tourists give a special environment to these events. Who hasn't yet heard of the New Year and its spectacular fireworks, the flower parade that heralds the arrival of spring, or carnival, that fills the streets and avenues of Funchal with joy and fun.

But let's turn to Madeira Wine Rally. Being one of the oldest and more traditional races in the European Championship, madeiran event keeps in its memory book unforgettable moments of this sport that the crowds love. On its swirling asphalt mythic names of the old continent motorsport have showed their ability. Toivonen ... we miss him a lot, Vatanen, Sainz, Biasion, Tabaton, wrote their name on the hall of honnor of the madeiran rally, side by side with a new generation of drivers who year after year have enriched the participants list.

Madeira Wine Rally is proud of belonging to the founding core of IRC  Intercontinental Rally Challenge. In the end of July, we will be waiting for you with pleasure and with the emotion of motorsport competition.

Very competitive route

The stages of Madeira Wine Rally held on the hills and plateaux of the region are always spectacular and attract many drivers to the island, as this is a unique way of improving their outstanding driving skills. Perfect delight! The stages of Chão da Lagoa, Paul and the breathtaking descent of Encumeada are the highlights of the event structure, all of them “meeting points” for thousands of fans, always orderly and supportive of the show.

Superspecial (SS)

The 2,8 kms of the Superspecial (SS), held on the city streets, are a main gathering of motorsport lovers, that has reached more than 30 thousand spectators. It is s stage held with the bay of Funchal as its background.

How to arrive

The brand new Madeira International Airport is able to receive any kind of plane. It receives regular flights from the main portuguese cities (Lisbon and Oporto), besides weekly connections from the main european spots, like Madrid, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Munich, Dusseldorf, Milan, among many others.