After a longer break, Rally “Kurzeme” returns to the Latvian Rally Championship, opening the 2026 summer rally season. Although rally competitions in various formats, including the World Rally Championship (WRC), regularly take place on Kurzeme’s roads under different names, this year it will once again be the well-known and much-loved Rally “Kurzeme”, familiar to Latvian and Baltic motorsport fans, with two days of competition and legendary special stages.
The organisers of Rally “Kurzeme 2026” invite crews to apply for the 2026 event and become part of one of Latvia’s motorsport traditions. The roads of Kurzeme have long been known for their speed, technical corners, and changing surface conditions, which have always provided both challenges and a special racing atmosphere for competitors and thrilling views for spectators.
“Rally has never left Kurzeme. Our region’s famous roads have been included in rally sprint and mini rally events, as well as in European and even World Championship routes, but there was a feeling that something was missing. That is why this year we decided to restore, so to speak, our “trademark” — Rally “Kurzeme”,” says rally director Mārtiņš Zviedris. “The organising team is working to make the event interesting and exciting for both competitors and spectators, while preserving the special atmosphere for which Rally ‘Kurzeme’ has become known over the years.”
Rally “Kurzeme” is one of the oldest and most tradition-rich rallies in the Baltic States. The rally made its official debut in 1965, and within 10 years, it grew from a small local event into a round of the USSR Championship, which at the time was the highest-level rally competition in the country.
After Latvia regained its independence, Rally “Kurzeme” continued this progress, now looking towards Europe. In 1997, “Kurzeme” officially gained international rally status, approved by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), while at the beginning of the 21st century, the dream of generations of Rally “Kurzeme” organisers was fulfilled — the event was included in the European Rally Championship calendar.
“For me, Rally “Kurzeme” is not just a photograph in an album featuring several generations of the Sesks and Francs families. It is respect, responsibility, and now also obligations that have been quietly passed on from my grandfather — Mārtiņš Sesks Sr., one of the founders of Rally “Kurzeme” — to me. It is an honour for me to promote and support the organisers of this historic event and the keepers of this motorsport tradition as much as I can,” says Mārtiņš Sesks.
“In 2024, I fulfilled not only my grandfather’s dream, but also the dream of his contemporary Mārtiņš Bite and many others who helped shape the story of Latvian rallying — that the roads of Kurzeme would become part of Latvia’s WRC round. I also fulfilled my own and Renārs’ dream of driving a Rally1 car on the roads of Kurzeme. This is not just nostalgia, but purposeful work to continue promoting the name of Kurzeme around the world. That is why I am happy about the return of Rally “Kurzeme” to the Latvian Rally Championship calendar — both with its name and, as always, with an excellent route that competitors will truly enjoy,” adds Mārtiņš.
Rally “Kurzeme 2026” will take place over two days — 29 and 30 May. As usual in the Latvian Rally Championship, Rally “Kurzeme 2026” will also include competitions in several disciplines, including the traditional Mini Rally “Karosta”. Its participants will compete on Saturday, 30 May.
“This year, the rally route will be designed while preserving the classic character of Rally “Kurzeme” roads. The route will include both very well-known and fast Kurzeme special stages, as well as one stage that was used in the rally around the year 2000,” reveals Mārtiņš Zviedris. “At the same time, there will also be a completely new special stage that has never before been included in the rally route. It could become one of the most interesting places for spectators, as the stage is planned to be highly visible and convenient for fans to watch.”
Rally “Kurzeme 2026” is the third round of the 2026 Latvian Rally Championship, the Latvian Rally Sprint Championship, and the Historic Car Cup, as well as the first round of the Mārtiņš Sesks MRF Tyres Junior Challenge.