There are currently six entries in the most powerful class, LRC ABS. Valerii Gorban, a Ukrainian driver with WRC experience, will be competing in a BMW-Mini John Cooper Works WRC. Gorban was on the podium in the first two rounds of the Latvian Rally Championship (LRČ), which has put him in first place in the overall standings.

Spectators will also be able to see the well-known Lithuanian driver Benediktas Vanagas, who has gained significant experience while competing in multiple Dakar rally-raid events. The Lithuanian will be driving a Škoda Fabia R5, and will be one of the drivers battling for the Champions Cup. In addition to Gorban and Vanagas, three competitors – Latvian Jānis Berķis, Lithuanian Egidijus Valeisa, and Israeli Sergey Uger – will be contesting the event in Ford Fiesta R5 rally cars. Another Ford Fiesta, prepared in accordance with Proto group rules, will be driven by Polish driver Robert Kocik.

The largest entrant, with seven crews in various classes, has been Rallyworkshop. Their entries include Edijs Bergmanis, Kaspars Kaņeps-Kalniņš, as well as the LRC2 class winner in the first two rounds, Emīls Blūms – with all three driving Mitsubishi Evo rally cars. Another competitor for the Champions Cup, Alexander Mikhaylov, will also be driving an LRC2 class car – Mitsubishi Evo X.

In total five crews will be lined-out by Neiksans Rallysport, including the one that will be piloted by FIA European Rallycross Championship leader Reinis Nitišs. He will drive LRC2 class Mitsubishi Evo X car, with his co-driver for the event – experienced Andris Mālnieks.

Other internationally known drivers have also registered for the event, including one of the leaders of the FIA European Rally Championship Junior U27 class, Mārtiņš Sesks, as well as Oliver Solberg, the son of motorsports legend Petter Solberg. Both drivers are currently at the top of the LRC3 class standings, and will be driving Peugeot 208 R2 cars.

In addition to rally crews, with representatives from eleven countries – Latvia, Estonia, Israel, Norway, Russia, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, Ukraine, Germany, and Sweden – Rally Talsi will also determine the winners in classes for historic rally cars and in a regularity rally. Among the first entries in the Sport class of historic cars was Ivars Velme with an Audi A2 Quattro, Gatis Panavs with a Mitsubishi Evo IV, and Arnis Alksnis in a Ford Escort RS2000.

Registration is open until 18:00 on May 8.

List of entries is available HERE>

The current LRČ standings are available HERE>

Tickets to Rally Talsi, with entry to all special stages, cost 12 EUR if bought on or before May 13. Starting May 14, the ticket price will be increased to 15 EUR. At the entrance of special stages, it will also be possible to buy a ticket to attend that particular stage, at a price of 8 EUR. Children up to 10 years of age and people with disabilities can attend the event for free.

Tickets can be bought HERE>

When attending Rally Talsi, it is important to remember that the tickets must be exchanged for wristbands before heading out to the special stages. All information about ticket exchange points is available on www.rallytalsi.lv.

Rally Talsi would not be possible without our supporters, so we would like to thank the rally city of nine hillocks – Talsi, sponsors Neste and Talce / SC Grupa, as well as the official car rental Sixt. We would also like to thank our supporters Canon IB Serviss, Krauzers, Ramirent, and Swecon. Thanks to our media partners Delfi, JCDecaux, Kurzemes Radio, Talsu Vēstis, and Zebra, for their informative support. The event would also not be possible without our rally friends – Alfa SLS, Dardedze Hologrāfija, Esi Draugs, Flora, FN Serviss, MeFab, Meža Dārzs, Red Bull, Sportland, Törley, Venden, and the Latvian Automobile Federation.

More information about Rally Talsi: www.rallytalsi.lv and http://autorally.lv. News and other information about Rally Talsi can also be found on social media: Twitter @RallyTalsi, Facebook /RallyTalsi, Draugiem.lv /RallyTalsi, and YouTube /RallyTalsi.

Jānis Unbedahts, Media officer, RA EVENTS. Photo: RA Events / MVFoto