Mini Rally "Ērgļi 2026" draws 106 crews to starting list
The fifth round of the Latvian Mini Rally Championship takes place in Ērgļi on September 25-26, with 106 crews entered including competitors from Estonia. It is the penultimate round before the season finale on October 31.
This weekend, on September 25 and 26, the town of Ērgļi and its surroundings will host mini rally "Ērgļi 2026," the fifth round of the Latvian Mini Rally Championship and Cup series. Registration has closed with 106 crews entered, including teams from Estonia alongside Latvian competitors. As the penultimate stage of the season, the event carries added weight for both the race win and overall standings points. The season will conclude on October 31 with the "Latvija" mini rally.
Route and format
On Saturday, competitors will tackle six special stages — three distinct stages, each driven twice. Total stage distance will reach up to 26 kilometers, with the full competition route spanning up to 135 kilometers. One stage will have mixed surface (about 13 percent asphalt, 87 percent gravel), while the other two will be gravel.
Mārtiņš Sesks MRF Tyres Junior Challenge participants face a longer format, driving the same three stages three times each — nine stages totaling 38.52 kilometers of competitive driving, within an overall route of 200.82 kilometers split into three sections with two service zones in Briežkalns. Following the cancellation of Rally Cēsis, Ērgļi was added to the junior development program's 2026 calendar as its fourth round, with junior drivers competing in the 2WD Open class while also contesting U18 and U25 categories.
One of the main spectator areas will be in Sidrabiņi, featuring a roughly one-kilometer town stage accessible from four directions, along with food vendors and supporter activities.
Schedule
The event begins Friday, September 25, at 18:00 with administrative and technical checks at the mini rally center in the Ērgļi parish administration building and the service park in Briežkalns. On Saturday, the first car starts at 12:00, with the championship leader expected to finish in Briežkalns around 16:20; the awards ceremony is set for 20:00.
Competition director Ingus Ķimelis expressed satisfaction with the strong entry list, noting efforts to prepare a varied route for both competitors and spectators.
