Latvia has become the 37th country in the world to host the championship.
On Thursday, July 18, from 17:00 to 20:20, LSM.lv will broadcast live the opening of the World Championship round in Riga's Rātslaukums.
Liepāja has been chosen as the base for the rally, where the heart of the event - the service park - will be located.
In total, the rally includes 20 special speed stages over a distance of 300 kilometers (km).
40 crews will take to the start line in the Latvian WRC. For the first time this season, 10 crews will compete in the prestigious and fastest "Rally1" class, joined by another 24 drivers from the "Rally2" category, as well as athletes from the lower classes.
Although the rally will start in Riga and then continue throughout Kurzeme, with the event taking place over a relatively large area, the distances involved are not so great for the traditional scale of the rally. This means that the influx of people cannot be expected only in the municipalities hosting the rally. Traffic restrictions are in place in Riga and Kurzeme during the rally.
The organizers estimate that around 50,000 people could attend the Latvian stage. Domestic fans are expected to be the most active, while Estonians and Lithuanians are the most active ticket buyers from abroad.
Local businesses, accommodation owners, and caterers have also been looking forward to the race. For example, more than 90% of accommodation in the Liepāja and Kuldīga area is sold out. In Tukums, Talsi, and Liepāja, the rally venues will host a food festival, offering a variety of meals prepared by Latvian caterers. Various entertainment programs are also planned during the event, including concerts in Riga, Liepāja Beach and Talsi. An exhibition on the history of Latvian rallying will be held in Liepāja.
