Andris Kulbergs joins 57 crews for the Rīga minirally and ralliesprint season finale at Biķernieku trase on October 31 and November 1, 2026, marking the first time a sitting head of government competes in a domestic Latvian motorsport event.
The 2026 motorsport season in Latvia reaches its climax this weekend as Biķernieku trase hosts the joint championship-closing weekend for minirally, ralliesprint, and rally disciplines. Running on October 31 and November 1, the event drew 57 crews across multiple competitive categories according to regional sports reporting. Competitors face tight points battles, changing autumn weather, and a distinct entry list featuring top-tier international talent alongside national political figures.
Andris Kulbergs Makes History in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI
Andris Kulbergs entered his name into national record books by registering for the minirallijs un rallijsprinta sacensības Latvija. Piloting his familiar Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI alongside co-driver Andis Veinberg, Kulbergs holds the eighth start position in the minirally field. This weekend marks his eighth appearance at the event, having first debuted back in 2014.
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His historical participation underscores a lifelong dedication to the sport that predates his premiership. Over the past decade, Kulbergs secured several notable results in the event, including a third-place overall finish in the minirally and an Open 4WD class victory in 2023.
Mārtiņš Sesks, World Rally Championship Talent, Joins Buggy Field
Beyond political milestones, the entry list boasts heavy-hitting professional talent. World Rally Championship pilot Mārtiņš Sesks takes to the course in a Can-Am Maverick R buggy within the Buggy class as confirmed by championship organizers. He joins a robust roster of international and domestic stars that includes 2025 Latvian rally champion Ralfs Sirmacis, who drives a Mitsubishi Evo with starting number 62, and multi-time champion Aivis Egle paired with co-driver Andis Daugu in a Škoda Fabia R5.
Competition at the sharp end of the field is fierce. Polish driver Aron Domżała leads the Latvian Rally Championship standings in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, claiming the number one starting position. Estonian competitor Karl Martin Volver follows with the second start number in an identical machine. Domżała holds a 23.2-point advantage over Volver in the premier LRČ 1 class standings ahead of the final showdown.
Tight Title Battles and Charity Support for Ivars Lācis
Kaspars Šimkus, head of the Standard Automobile Commission at the Latvian Automobile Federation, notes that narrow margins across multiple classes will keep the competition volatile until the final stages. This round will be decisive in many classes. The battle will take place not only for the championship title, but also for the remaining podium places. Results can change anywhere from fifth place to first, so the suspense will remain until the very end. Competitor interest is very high, and crews from Estonia and Lithuania have also registered. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate everyone who wants to participate because the number of entries is limited,
Kaspars Šimkus, head of the LAF Standard Automobile Commission, said.
The event also embraces a community welfare mission. Spectators attending the action at the Biķernieku racetrack’s A grandstand are encouraged to donate a minimum of five euros to support rally co-driver Ivars Lācis, who sustained a severe spinal cord injury during the 2025 minirallijā “Cesvaine”. Funds collected at entrance donation boxes and via bank transfer will directly assist his ongoing neurorehabilitation at a specialized clinic in Germany.
Kaspars Šimkus, head of the LAF Standard Automobile Commission, stated that minirallies are usually free for spectators, but this time in grandstand A we invite everyone to donate at least five euros to help Ivars Lācis. There will be both a donation box and information on how to donate via bank transfer at the entrance. We want to help one of our own recover and return to everyday life as soon as possible.
The weekend schedule opens on Saturday, October 31, with minirally stages kicking off at 9:30 AM entirely within the Biķernieku complex, covering six technical tests across asphalt and gravel surfaces. The ralliesprint competition starts later that evening at 6:50 PM with night stages in Bauska Municipality, before returning to Rīga on Sunday, November 1, for five asphalt stages that will determine the final champions of the 2026 season.
