Today starts the biggest sporting event in Madeira Island, the Rali Vinho da Madeira, 7nd round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, with the evening superspecial in Avenida do Mar. This year is historically important, as it is the 50th time the rally is held.
18 S2000 cars are entered, namely a massive crew of Peugeots, 5 Abarths, a Skoda and a Proton. British Kris Meeke is here for the first time and will try to gather more points to increase his lead over Skoda's Jan Kopecky in the championship (who unfortunately won't be here), but he'll have some tough opposition starting with last years winner Nicollas Vouilloz; the winner of the 2006 and 2007 editions Giandomenico Basso; the solid Freddy Loix who is still in the hunt for the championship; portuguese star Bruno Magalhães; and the local men Bernardo Sousa (usual presence in the PWRC) and Alexandre Camacho (who last year missed the overall win by 8 seconds).
List of entrants:
1. Luca Rossetti (I) - Abarth Grande Punto S2000
2. Giandomenico Basso (I) - Abarth Grande Punto S2000
3. Michal Solowow (PL) - Peugeot 207 S2000
4. Bruno Magalhães (P) - Peugeot 207 S2000
5. Alexandre Camacho (P) - Peugeot 207 S2000
6. Kris Meeke (GB) - Peugeot 207 S2000
7. Freddy Loix (B) - Peugeot 207 S2000
8. Nicolas Vouilloz (F) - Peugeot 207 S2000
9. Vitor Pascoal (P) - Peugeot 207 S2000
10. Guy Wilks (GB) - Proton Satria Neo S2000
11. Julien Maurin (F) - Skoda Fabia S2000
12. Corrado Fontana (I) - Peugeot 207 S2000
14. Vitor Sá (P) - Peugeot 207 S1600
15. Fernando Peres (P) - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
16. Bernardo Sousa (P) - Abarth Grande Punto S2000
17. Ricardo Moura (P) - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
18. Richard Frau (F) - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
19. Adruzilo Lopes (P) - Subaru Impreza N2009
20. Miguel Nunes (P) - Peugeot 207 S2000
21. Davide Di Benedetto (I) - Peugeot 207 S2000
22. Marco Cavigioli (I) - Abarth Grande Punto S2000
23. Albert Llovera (AND) - Abarth Grande Punto S2000
24. Luigi Fontana (I) - Peugeot 207 S2000
25. Filipe Freitas (P) - Renault Clio S1600
26. Manuel Villa (I) - Fiat Punto S1600
27. Rui Madeira (P) - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
28. João Magalhães (P) - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
29. Rui Pinto (P) - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
30. Manuel Maneschi (I) - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
(...)
Total of entrants: 70
IRC Standings:
1. Kris Meeke (GB) 30
2. Jan Kopecky (CZ) 29
3. Freddy Loix (B) 24
4. Giandomenico Basso (I) 17
5. Nicolas Vouilloz (F) 14
6. Juho Hanninen (FIN) 14
7. Sebastien Ogier (F) 10
8. Carl Tundo (EAK) 10
(...)
Past winners:
2008. Nicolas Vouilloz - Peugeot 207 S2000
2007. Giandomenico Basso - Fiat Punto Abarth S2000
2006. Giandomenico Basso - Fiat Punto Abarth S2000
2005. Renato Travaglia - Renault Clio S1600
2004. Vitor Sá - Peugeot 306 Maxi
2003. Miguel Campos - Peugeot 206 WRC
2002. Andrea Aghini - Peugeot 206 WRC
2001. Adruzilo Lopes - Peugeot 206 WRC
2000. Piero Liatti - Subaru Impreza WRC
1999. Bruno Thiry - Subaru Impreza WRC
(...)
TV Coverage:
Friday
21:00 - 1st day highlights (Eurosport)
23:30 - 1st day highlights repeat (Eurosport 2)
Saturday
07:30 - 1st day highlights repeat (Eurosport 2)
22:00 - 2nd day highlights (Eurosport)
23:30 - 2nd day highlights repeat (Eurosport 2)
Sunday
07:30 - 2nd day highlights repeat (Eurosport 2)
All Times GMT.
Plus a lot of coverage in local and national TV, including live stages.
I might go watch the superspecial today, not sure yet.