World RX of Riga
World RX of Riga
World RX

NESTE WORLD RX OF LATVIA, MOST LIKELY, NOT FOUND ON THE 2020 CALENDAR

RIGA, LATVIA
27/06/2019

After discussions with the Latvian government and the FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX) promoter IMG, it currently looks like Latvia might lose its place in the World RX calendar. There is a chance that this year’s event, taking place in CSDD Biķernieki Circuit on September 14 and 15, will be the final World RX event to take place in Riga in the foreseeable future.

“I would like to thank the Latvian government for their trust, forthcoming and belief in us, which has made it possible to host an FIA World Rallycross Championship round, Neste World RX of Latvia, in Latvia for four times since 2016. This event has brought such motorsports legends as Sebastien Loeb, Ken Block, and Petter Solberg to Latvia, even president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Jean Todt coming to Riga for a hands-on experience of the event!” begins RA Events and Neste World RX of Latvia director Raimonds Strokšs.

“At a time when it is necessary to agree on continuing our collaboration with the World Rallycross Championship promoter IMG about hosting an event here in Latvia, we have been put into a situation where, due to two incompatible circumstances, we cannot definitely say that it will be possible to organise a World Rallycross Championship round here at the CSDD Biķernieki Circuit. IMG requires an answer (along with financial guarantees) in order for Latvia to maintain its place in the 2020 World RX calendar, but the Latvian national budget will only be prepared at the end of this year, which means that we are unable to give any guarantees at the moment. Since IMG cannot wait, and the Latvian government cannot change the way the budget is made, it is very likely that Neste World RX of Latvia will not be part of the 2020 calendar!” explains Raimonds Strokšs.

“It has been a huge responsibility, but also a great honour to showcase Latvia to the whole world, while also having more than our fair share of historic moments. In 2016, the nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb earned his first World RX victory right here at the CSDD Biķernieki Circuit. In 2017, Johan Kristoffersson was crowned as world champion in Riga. And in 2018, competing in his home event in front of all his fans and supporters, the Jēkabpils native Reinis Nitišs won the FIA European Rallycross Championship round and was later crowned European champion here!

The high quality of our event (in the three years of its existence, it has been given a prize as the best organized World RX event twice, as well as has won two Latvian Annual Awards in Sports in the Sports Event of the Year category) has made it possible to make an agreement with IMG to remain in close contact in the future. With that, we will be able to continue our discussions with the Latvian government about systematic changes to the funding allocation, so that the budget for such events is given a year in advance, instead of from the budget of that particular year. If everything goes well, that would mean that, by the end of 2019 (along with confirmation of the 2020 budget), we would be able to give the necessary guarantees about hosting the event in 2021. Even though that would not definitely mean that Latvia would return to the World RX calendar, it would at least give us an option. I would like to use this opportunity to reiterate that we have had a unique opportunity to show the whole world that it is possible to organize a top level event up to the highest possible standards, so I want to invite everyone to come to the CSDD Biķernieki circuit on September 14 and 15 to see the World Rallycross Championship, which might be visiting Latvia for the final time!” concludes Raimonds Strokšs.

FIA World Rallycross Championship event Neste World RX of Latvia 2019 is possible thanks to the title sponsor Neste, as well as the Latvian Ministry of Science and Education, and our partner Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD).

News about the FIA World Rallycross Championship event Neste World RX of Latvia are available on social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. When communicating on social media, we suggest using the hashtag #NesteLatviaRX, which would make it possible to gather all rallycross related posts in one place.

 

On 20.07.2021. RA EVENTS has signed an agreement No. SKV-TL-2021/15 with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia for support provided under the “Promotion of international competitiveness” framework that is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.