2024-04-07 16:07:08
The first WRC stage in history will take place in Latvia from July 18 to 21. The rally will cover the territory from Liepāja to Riga, with speed stages also taking place in Tukums, Talsi and Talsu districts, Kuldīgas and Dienvikkurzeme districts.
Stroks pointed out that, continuing the organization of the WRC round, there is now a completely clear plan on how the competition will proceed, and the implementation phase has begun.
“Everything has been agreed, all the previous actions have been done, we are currently making technical solutions so that all objects have everything necessary. This is the stage of event implementation, when we will not make any further changes to the plans. At the moment, we will only implement. Everything is planned,” Strokš said.
He revealed that after all the costs were calculated for the original plan, changes had to be made to fit the event budget.
“The initial version of the wishes was such that the budget did not allow us to do it when we saw the total costs. We had to see the costs by the end of February and then in March we made adjustments. We did that and now everything is already clear. We had to cut quite a lot from the wishes, our dreams were a little daring and had to come down to earth,” explained the event director.
The stages of the European Rally Championship (ERC) have been held in Latvia before, but Strokš did not hide that organizing the WRC stage is a much more difficult task.
“With our, I think, a lot of experience in the motorsport environment, we haven’t had a bigger and more difficult test than the WRC stage. We still face complexity, and in my life it’s definitely the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. Mainly it’s logistics, layout, requirements, responsibilities and other challenges. It’s completely different when production teams are involved,” said the event director.
At the press conference, Strokš also indicated that a small fan zone is also being planned in Dome Square, where those interested will be able to watch live broadcasts of the competition from the capital.
“There will be a screen and live broadcasts from all stages. It will be a free-form event where passers-by can stop and watch the rally. A free-form event without certain restrictions,” he added.
On the other hand, the first speed stage of the competition will take place in Riga on July 18, with the crews competing on the Biķernieki track, and Strokšs emphasized that planning and approving it was not easy.
“The planning of this stage took quite a lot, because it is complicated. We still had to agree on the special starting order, because it is unusual for the everyday rally. The cars will start two by two with an interval of two minutes, but the third will go on the track only when the previous two have finished It is a non-standard solution and the desire was to make it a long and enjoyable event for the audience,” he explained.
Strokš also revealed that currently it is known that Latvian pilots Mārtiņš Sesks and Matīss Mežaks will compete in the WRC stage in Latvia, but five to eight Latvian crews could take part in the competition.
In the Latvian WRC stage, the distance to be covered in the stages will exceed 250 kilometers, but together with the crossings, they will be more than 1000 kilometers
2024-04-07 16:07:08