Foto: Latvijas Rallija Čempionāts
Autors: Ģirts Avotiņš
Avots: Autorally.lv
One of the oldest rally events in the Baltic States – the winter classic Rally Sarma 2026 – has published its supplementary regulations and officially opened competitor registration one month ahead of the Latvian Rally Championship’s second round, which will take place on 7 February in Gulbene Municipality. Interest became evident already in the very first minutes, as brothers Ivars and Andris Velmes announced their participation, planning to start their 2026 season at Rally Sarma with the crowd-favourite Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2. These will also be the first winter rally starts for the crew with this particular car.
The Velmes brothers’ historic Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 needs little introduction – rally fans across Europe are always eager to see it in action. Following two successful appearances at the Sanremo Rally Legends, the car has become a rally video sensation in Poland and a highly anticipated guest at events elsewhere. After opening the season at Rally Sarma, the crew plans to continue with rallies in Spain, Portugal, Poland, and most likely further destinations across Europe. It is therefore especially pleasing that the car will also be tested in a winter rally – and specifically at Rally Sarma. In many ways, this feels fitting, as the rally car series that debuted in 1985, and on which the Velmes brothers’ car is based, perfectly matches an event that celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. It is also worth noting that with their previous rally car, the Audi Quattro A2, the Velmes brothers claimed victory in the historic category at Rally Sarma 2017 and 2018.
Reklāma
“The start is very promising. Winter has arrived properly, with snow and frost, and the entry process has also begun very actively. Usually, when Sarma is the second round of the championship, we only see real movement in the entry list after the first round is finished. This time, not even 24 hours have passed and we already have four entries,” says Vilhelms Sniedzāns, Director of Rally Sarma.
At Rally Sarma 2026, competitors will face a total distance of 284.64 kilometres, of which 97.35 kilometres, divided into seven special stages, will be run competitively. All selected special stages are located relatively close to each other for the convenience of both competitors and spectators, in the Sinole, Tirza and Beļava areas of Gulbene Municipality. The rally regulations and official documents are available on the Latvian Rally Championship website, while information about accommodation options in the region can be found on the Visit Gulbene website.
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