When discussing contenders for the overall victory, Emīls Blūms and Ralfs Sirmacis stand out, as they already showcased a spectacular duel in the first championship round of the year, battling right to the finish. This duel will likely continue at Rally Sarma. Estonian driver Kaspars Kasari is also expected to join the fight, although his season opener was not particularly successful. However, one must not forget Jānis Vorobjovs, the most experienced Rally Sarma participant, who will be starting this event for the 28th time. Estonian drivers Alans Popovs and Miks Ķenavs might also enter the fray, although they struggled to keep pace with the top contenders in the first championship round. Just behind this leading group, another exciting battle will unfold, featuring rally veteran Guntis Lielkājis against Elvis Hermanis and Lithuanian driver Paulius Beniušis. However, each of these drivers is also capable of challenging the top six. Additionally, they must all be wary of Mārtiņš Ločmelis, whose excellent performance in the first championship round was hindered by an engine failure.
A major new addition to Rally Sarma is the buggy or SSV (side-by-side vehicle) class. This is the first time these vehicles will compete in a major rally event, as they have previously only raced in mini-rallies. Furthermore, this experimental class has attracted one participant from each Baltic country, making the competition even more intriguing. Latvian driver Rolands Puravs explains the situation in this class:
"These buggies are different. We are racing with the new R model, which is technically quite different from the other two X3 models - essentially the older versions. We have a DTC 7-speed gearbox and a standard 240-horsepower 1.0-liter engine. Our competitors have 900cc tuned buggies with a CVT gearbox. As far as I know, the Estonian team has a modified buggy with increased power and a rebuilt gearbox for a higher top speed. The races should be very close since we've had the chance to compete with similar buggies before, and the results have been highly unpredictable. We've raced against the Estonian team in an asphalt mini-rally, but we only know that the Lithuanian team is among the fastest in their country. All three teams have prepared thoroughly, and we won’t be giving each other any leeway. Plus, we have never competed in a winter stage before, so the intrigue is high."
Returning to classic rally competition, the RWD car category will offer a thrilling battle. Expect an intense showdown between Rolands Jaunzems and Dans Leščs, who have returned to rallying after several years with a significantly improved car. However, they may struggle to keep up with the ever-fast Estonian driver Markus Tammoja, who, for unknown reasons, has registered for the historic car category.
Looking at the historic rally car class, which will hit the track before the main rally crews, there won’t be many surprises - Kristaps Dzīvītis, with his flying Audi, is sure to be a crowd favourite. However, neither Intars Rezakovs nor Māris Erts are much slower, so spectators should not miss the early stages of the rally.
In the rallysprint category, several experienced and fast competitors will also take part. Jurģis Meisters, Vigo Rubenis, and Gatis Ābelītis are not only among the fastest in the rallysprint championship but can also challenge some of the rally championship competitors and keep pace with the top ten. Moreover, at this anniversary edition of Rally Sarma, they will have to complete the same distance as the main rally championship participants, allowing for a full comparison of performance.
Regarding the starting order of Rally Sarma 2025, it is important to note that the historic rally cars will hit the track first, followed by a short break with safety crews before the rally championship participants take off. Additionally, Latvian rallies are introducing an international practice where the "green light" – the opening car of the stage – will only enter the track after the last competing car has finished. This rule is being implemented to ensure emergency services have free access to the track while the race is ongoing.
Tickets can be purchased through the e-ticketing platform eKase.lv. Organizers recommend securing tickets in advance, as mobile network coverage may be limited in some stage locations, making online access difficult.
