Round two of the Latvian Rally Championship, Rally Sarma, comprised intense battles on the snow and icy roads around Gulbene, Latvia.
This year’s rally went down in history with the fact that after a fifteen-year break, the Latvian crew – Emīls Blūms and Didzis Eglītis – triumphed in the overall standings. In the intense battle until the last kilometres, Blūms had to keep a cool head to keep Jānis Vorobyovs behind him. “Of course, we drove with the goal of winning and expected a tough fight, which it was. It is always easier to catch than to protect, and this time we also had to reckon with technical problems, but we managed to reach the finish line,” said Emīls Blūms after the victory.
Rally director Vilhelms Sniedzāns emphasizes: “Sarma has always been a rally with a special character. We are proud to be able to offer such exciting and technically challenging special stages that allow athletes to prove their skills. This year, the competition turned out to be very dynamic – the changing conditions, icy sections, and fast stages made every kilometer and every second important.”
Jānis Vorobjovs, who has already competed in the “Sarma” rally 28 times, did not hide his excitement about the work done by the organizers: “The speed stages have been designed thoughtfully – there are places where you can pick up the pace, and there are places where maximum concentration is required. Sarma always surprises with something new, and this year, it was especially noticeable.”
The stages of the Rally Sarma were particularly diverse this year. The first stage combined the legendary Garsha and Kamalda roads, offering variable speed sections, while the second stage, which included part of the Zaķukāja and Troški tracks, became one of the most difficult in this rally. The third stage surprised with its icy surface and technical forest bends, which required special precision and courage from the athletes.
The rally organizers express their great gratitude to all the supporters, without whom the holding of such a high-level competition would not be possible. Special thanks to the Gulbene County Council, which has always been a reliable partner in the development of the rally, and to the rally sponsors – local companies and farms, who, with their support, have helped create an excellent celebration for athletes and spectators. With the conclusion of the Sarma 2025 rally, participants and fans are already looking forward to the next one – the Sarma 2026 rally.
Overall Rally Sarma Results
01: E. Blums/D. Eglitis (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) – 44m 35.80s
02: J. Vorobjovs/E. Zakmane (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII) + 1m 18.23s
03: K. Kasari/A. Birjukov (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) + 2m 32.32s
04: G. Lielkajis/V. Mikelsons (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) + 2m 32.34s
05: K. Dzivitis/M. Rudevics (Audi 80 Quattro) + 2m 40.59s
06: M. Tammoja/O. Mesikapp (BMW M3 E36) + 3m 19.87s
07: R. Sirmacis/A. Bite (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII) + 3m 21.12s
08: A. Aigro/A. Vahtra (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) + 3m 23.71s
09: M. Erts/M. Erts (Subaru Impreza GT) + 3m 31.63s
10: P. Beniuisis/K. Adinavicius (Citroën C3 N5) + 3m 44.77s