Most of the motorsport season is over, but there are still several exciting races to come. Photo by Pille Russi
By 2023, three quarters will be over and one quarter still to go. We are already looking ahead to the new season and making big plans to improve our results and further enhance our reputation as a motorsport country.
Both the political and the economic situation are causing anxiety, and we need to act wisely. Finding sponsors and partners is like the precision sports, where it is the well-known racers who win the most, but fortunately young athletes have also found supporters, some of whom are also reaching the absolute top. I am optimistic that, despite the frenzy of the great green revolution and the fear of the car tax, roaring engines will continue to dominate the racetracks for quite some time to come, and this will be extremely important in attracting hundreds of millions of fans. E-sport is certainly taking its own hold across the globe and it is a sign of the times, but one does not mix with the other.
EAL's 2023 season will be summed up on 13.01.2024 once again at a gala evening in the ERM in Tartu, and it will certainly be an even bigger evening than the last one. Today, it is appropriate to take stock of the events that have stood out most for me and, I believe, for many of you.
For starters, the victory of Ott Tänaku/Martin Järveoja in Rally Sweden and the dignified organisation of Rally Estonia. The opening of the Raassilla rallycross track in the spring and the thorough renovation of the Kuningamäe sword complex were very important for us. Martin Miilberg, as the new organiser, and his team staged the Estonian Grand Prix 2023, an international car and motorbike circuit event at a high level on the Porsche Ring. The Paide Rally organisation again showed its power and the event turned out to be an excellent performance.
The world-class LaitseRallyPark has just hosted its first-ever championship round of the world championship in karting, although the track is not yet officially open.
Circuit racer Paul Aron had a brilliant season in the FIA F3 class, finishing third overall, with the higher F2 series ahead.
Jüri Vips got the chance to drive two rounds in the world's second strongest Formula 1 series, Indycar, and proved to everyone that he deserves to be the main driver in both Indycar and F1.
Andres Arnover was again a serious performer on the acceleration track in the Pro Modified class, resulting in third place at the European Championships.
Maiko Tamm took first place in the Rally X Nordic Pro Am class in the Nordic Rallycross series.
Risto Kappet took home fourth place in the official e-sport series of the World Electric Formula Championship, while Kevin Pesur put in a strong performance in his debut season at the Drift Masters European Championship, finishing seventh overall.
Estonian off-road drivers brought home a triple victory from Poland in Rally Breslaul in the Extreme Car Open class. Hardo Mere took first place together with Piotr Kujawski from Poland, followed by Rait Mändla / Rauno Lahi and Rainer Rüütli / Rainer Oja in third.
Martin Rump, Ralf Aron, Ruben Volt and Romet Reisin - all outstanding circuit riders on motorbikes. We could go on, but let's leave it at that this time.
There are still a number of big events to come from October, but one of the real highlights will be the Saaremaa Rally, where a record number of participants - 185 - have pre-registered so far. One wonders where they all come from....
I believe that Villi Pihl, Rasmus Uustulnd and their whole team will do a great job once again.
The popularity of motorsport among Estonians is understandable, and the supporters of the sport deserve all the more thanks and praise. Not every motorsport has its fair share of supporters, all of whom deserve great respect and praise. I would like to express my special thanks today to the supporters of the Estonian Motor Sports Association, in particular the family company Terminal Oil Grupp, Tridens, the Cultural Endowment, Tallink and EAS.
Great things are born out of good cooperation, and I can see that by the end of the 2023 season, we will be in a position where we can expect some very good developments, and hopefully forge some great results at international level. Let's wait patiently and then all together in January for the awards gala in Tartu.
And finally - all the best to you all.
Toivo Asmer
EAL president
