On Friday, October 10th, the 58th Saaremaa Rally will officially start at Kuressaare town square.
10.-11. A total of 144 crews from five different countries have registered for the final round of the Estonian Rally Championship, which will be held on October 10–11 on the roads of Western and Central Saaremaa. Over the two competition days, the drivers will face ten special stages covering 111.52 km. The overall length of the rally route is 514.59 km.
The opening day consists of three stages, with the first two run on the gravel roads of Northern Saaremaa.
The Laugu stage has been run in several versions in recent years, and this time the organizers have once again prepared a new and exciting layout. The second stage, Paatsa, is practically brand new and, in this format, has likely only been driven by Margus Murakas, who will be starting his 35th Saaremaa Rally this year. Friday’s racing day will end with the return of the Kuressaare city stage after a one-year break, this time run around Kuressaare Park. On Saturday, competitors will face seven special stages, including Saaremaa classics Undva and Kaugatoma, as well as the long-awaited return of Taritu and Leedri.
“Considering the number of entries at previous rounds of the Estonian Championship this season, 144 entries is a very positive surprise. It is also great to see strong international participation. I believe we are in for an exciting battle for victory, with the reigning Finnish champion and the recent Paide Rally winner on the start list. It will also be interesting to see Urmo Aava’s pace with a modern rally car. We will see it all in Saaremaa,” said Saaremaa Rally director Rasmus Uustulnd ahead of the final championship round.
The start line of the 58th Saaremaa Rally will be opened by Patrick Enok / Silver Simm, who last year made their Rally2 debut at Saaremaa and finished second. They will once again bring a Toyota Yaris GR Rally2 to the start, having also claimed the Finnish Championship title earlier this season.
“Carrying the number 1 plate is a privilege, and if there is one rally where it is most special to lead the field, then it is definitely Saaremaa. It is one of the most exciting rallies in Estonia, with a long starting field and very strong competition. Of course, it’s an honor, but it also comes with the challenge of road sweeping. Fortunately, we gained valuable experience and confidence in Seinäjoki, so this is nothing entirely new for us. Every rally and every day is different, and the final truth will be revealed on the stages. From a competition standpoint, it’s great to see so many Rally2 and R5 cars entered – Nõgene, Aava, Koik, Kaur, and Volver with the Proto. All the fast drivers are here, so we must give our absolute best. The goal is to push ourselves to the maximum and deliver strong pace with a good rhythm,” said Enok before the rally.
Starting second will be the winners of this year’s Humus Paide Rally, Joosep Ralf Nõgene / Aleks Lesk, followed by Urmo Aava / Janno Siitan, who will be making their first-ever Rally2 start.
Right behind them will be last year’s Saaremaa Rally third-place finishers Priit Koik / Kristo Tamm. All these crews will be driving Toyota Yaris GR Rally2 cars at the season finale. With start number 5, EMV2 points leaders Kaspar Kasari / Rainis Raidma (Ford Fiesta Rally2) will join the battle. Altogether, ten crews will compete in EMV2 at Saaremaa.
The EMV1 field will be led by Cēsis Rally winners Karl Martin Volver / Annika Sõna (Škoda Fabia), followed by Egon Kaur / Ermo Veltson (Ford Fiesta). In total, six crews will fight in EMV1.
In EMV3, Esmar-Arnold Unt / Arro Vahtra (Ford Fiesta Rally3) will take the lead as car number 33, with three more crews contesting the category.
Seven crews will compete in EMV4, including championship leader Hugo Arendi, with rally director of the South-Estonian Rally, Gabriel Müürsepp, as his co-driver in the Ford Fiesta Rally4.
The EMV5 four-wheel-drive class will be opened by points leaders Ralfs Sirmacis / Armands Bite (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII), closely followed by Allan Popov / Aleksander Prõttšikov (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X), separated by just 18 points ahead of the final round. A total of 22 crews will start in EMV5 at Saaremaa.
In EMV6, start number 25 belongs to Lembit Soe / Sander Kermik, driving the fan-favorite Toyota Starlet. This rear-wheel-drive class will feature as many as 35 entries, three of whom will be making their rally debut.
EMV7 sees a championship showdown between Joonas Palmisto / Jan Nõlvak and Sander-Erik Tiits / Rasmus Vesiloo, both driving Volkswagen Golf 2 cars. They will face competition from 20 more crews.
In EMV8, championship leaders Kerli Vilu / Hendrik Klausson (Ford Fiesta R2) will start with number 96. Altogether, 17 entries will contest this class.
Eight crews will enter the EMV LADA category, including points leaders Rauno Plado / Marko Kaasik. They are 23 points ahead of Koit Repnau / Hannes Hannus before the final event of the season. Both will be competing with Lada VFTS machinery.
In the EMV GAZ truck category, nine GAZ-51 crews will compete, with four of them still in contention for the title. Just 23 points separate leaders Ats Nõlvak / Mairo Ojaviir and fourth-placed Martin Kiot with his new co-driver Kevin Uuet.
Additionally, three GAZ Open crews will join the action, led by Rainer Tuberik / Raido Vetesina.
All special stages of the 58th Saaremaa Rally are ticketed. Rally passes cost €30 and can be purchased via Piletitasku online, at S-Link sales points, and during rally week also at Saare Selver. Online purchases will generate a unique QR code sent via email, which must be exchanged for a wristband at official Saaremaa Rally 2025 sales points or stage entry roads.
Single-use special stage passes can also be purchased on the access roads leading to the stages, priced at 15€.
The official afterparty will take place on Saturday, October 11th, featuring the band Terminaator. Tickets are €20. A combo ticket including both the rally pass and afterparty ticket is available with a €10 discount.
58.Saaremaa Rally Start List can be found from here: SIIT
58.Saaremaa Rally schedule can be found from here: SIIT
