Rally Estonia history
The idea for organizing a new rally was born over 11 years ago, when Silver Kütt, who has also participated as a co-driver in seven WRC rallies, presented the idea to his good friend, former WRC driver Urmo Aava. After sharing the idea with “marketing genius” Tarmo Hõbe, who gave the new rally the name “Rally Estonia,” the first steps were already taken.
An idea that first seemed unbelievable back in 2009 has grown year by year, and today Rally Estonia has become a round of the FIA World Rally Championship. The first Rally Estonia took place in 2010, and the rally’s first winner was local hero Markko Märtin, who has won as many as five WRC rallies during his career. The event’s first double champion was Portugal WRC Rally 2012 winner Mads Østberg, who was the fastest driver at Rally Estonia in 2011 and 2012.
The high level of competition, thanks to the contributions of Märtin, Østberg, and the Latvala family, set the bar very high for the organizers. From 2014 to 2016, Rally Estonia was part of the European Rally Championship (ERC), and in 2014 it was even voted the best ERC rally of the year.
In addition to local stars, Rally Estonia has welcomed many of the world’s top drivers over the years, such as WRC drivers Thierry Neuville, Esapekka Lappi, Jari-Matti Latvala, Teemu Suninen, Craig Breen, Hayden Paddon, Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Martin Prokop, Toni Gardemeister, and ERC champions Aleksei Lukyanuk and Kajetan Kajetanowicz, as well as young rising rally star Oliver Solberg, who won the R5 class last year.
From 2018 to 2020, our local heroes and 2019 World Rally Champions Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja dominated the competition, but in 2021, Kalle Rovanperä achieved a historic victory, becoming the youngest WRC rally winner of all time.
Rally Estonia Winners of Previous Years
- 2010 Markko Märtin-Kristo Kraag, Ford Focus RS WRC
- 2011 Mads Østberg-Jonas Andersson, Ford Fiesta RS WRC
- 2012 Mads Østberg-Jonas Andersson, Ford Fiesta RS WRC
- 2013 Georg Gross-Raigo Mõlder, Ford Focus RS WRC
- 2014 Ott Tänak-Raigo Mõlder, Ford Fiesta R5
- 2015 Alexey Lukyanuk-Alexey Arnautov, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X
- 2016 Ralfs Sirmacis-Maris Kulšs, Škoda Fabia R5
- 2018 Ott Tänak-Martin Järveoja, Toyota Yaris WRC
- 2019 Ott Tänak-Martin Järveoja, Toyota Yaris WRC
- 2020 Ott Tänak-Martin Järveoja, Hyundai i20 WRC
- 2021 Kalle Rovanperä-Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Yaris WRC
- 2022 Kalle Rovanperä-Jonne Halttunen, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 HYBRID
- 2023 Kalle Rovanperä-Jonne Halttunen, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 HYBRID
- 2024 Georg Linnamäe / James Morgan, Toyota GR Yaris Rally2
- 2025 Oliver Solberg / Elliott Edmondson, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1