“This year the competition will be very special due to the large number of participants, as well as wide representations of countries. Rivalry for the victory will be very tough, because many strong and titled sportsmen will take place in the competition. Also duels and interesting first-appearances, as well as returning at the wheel of the rally car unseen in Latvia before are expected in rally-sprint “Kalnamuiža 2014,” says the director of rally-sprint “Kalnamuiža 2014” Aigars Bite.

One of the main events will be the struggle of two Latvian N4 group champions – Andis Neikšāns and Jānis Vorobjovs with powerful rear wheel drive “BMW M3” cars. Both sportsmen have already proven before that they can be fast with various kinds of machinery, but until now they have never participated in one competition with the rear wheel drive cars.

Several candidates for the victory are in “4WD Open” class, where last year’s bronze medalists in “4WD Open” class Elviss Hermanis/Gatis Veilands, as well as last years Latvian rally-sprint champion in “4WD” class Kārlis Nebars with co-driver Gundars Berķis will come up against last years winners of overall classification Edijs Bergmanis/Kārlis Bergmanis. Latvian junior champion of 2012 Mārcis Ķenavs, who obtained latest generation’s all wheel drive N4 group "Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X" rally car, will also have a debut in rally-sprint “Kalnamuiža 2014”.

It will also be interesting to watch two-times Latvian rally-sprint champion and Latvian rally champion of 2010 in group N3 Uldis Briedis returning as on of the competitors with front wheel drive "Renault Clio".

The son of well-known Finnish WRC driver Hari Rovanpera – Kalle Rovanpera, who will become 14 in October, will also compete in rally-sprint “Kalnamuiža 2014” with front wheel drive "Citroen C2R2 MAX" car. It will be only second competition in K. Rovanpera’s career – last year in rally-sprint “Gulbis 2013” he obtained 22nd place in overall classification in contest of 39 competitors, whereas in “2WD Open” class young Finnish driver obtained 11th place.

This year the competition is going to be special, because rally-sprint “Kalnamuiža 2014” is the 3rd event of Latvian rally-sprint championship, as well as the 1st event of Lithuanian rally-sprint championship. This rally-sprint will also be a great chance for the competitors to do training before the Champion’s rally in Talsi, taking place one week later, on 17th and 18th of May.

The competition will start on 10th May at 13:00 in "Piena muiža - Berghof", Skrunda area, Sieksate region – from here competitors will leave to well-known Kalvene special stage. It will be followed with Marijas muiža and Podnieki special stages. Competitors will perform Kalvene and Marijas muiža stages three times, while Podnieki road will be performed twice.

Altogether crews will have to perform eight special stages with overall length up to 48,2 kilometers. Finish of the competition is planned at 17:15 in "Piena muiža - Berghof".

Rally-sprint “Kalnamuiža 2014” is organized by association “B&K Rallijs” in cooperation with association “Liepājas Rallija Komanda”. Organizers of the competition express gratitude to Aizpute, Skrunda and Vaiņode regions, in whose territory rally-sprint stages will take place.

Detailed information about rally-sprint “Kalnamuiža 2014” is available on website www.rallykurzeme.lv.

Dzintars Hmieļevskis, "Liepājas rallija komandas" preses pārstāvis. Photo: Rando Aav