“I have vivid memories from Rally Liepāja, having competed here three times. Unfortunately, my first two attempts, when this was a winter rally, resulted in two of my career’s largest crashes. That is all in the past, though, and I have warm memories of the previous time I competed here. In 2016, I was fighting for the European championship in the Junior class, and I needed to win in order to become champion. At the end, that is what I did, winning by a few seconds. It all could have ended differently, but I had become champion! That is still one of the best days in my career, something that I will always remember,” recalls Marijan Griebel.
“Of course, I have gained valuable experience in the past few years, so I hope that at least the Liepāja region stages will not have changed much, so I have to adjust to just a few new stages.” As has been communicated, for 2019 Rally Liepāja will join forces with the Talsi region, providing competitors and fans with an opportunity to enjoy rally in all of the Kurzeme region.
Griebel notes that he is satisfied with the pace he has shown in the first two rounds of the FIA European Rally Championship, but luck has not been on his side. A brake issue destroyed his hopes in the Azores, further followed by a puncture. Similarly unlucky in the Canary Islands, with him reaching the finish line in ninth place, and currently sitting sixth overall in the championship with 18 points.
His main objective in Rally Liepāja is getting to the finish without running into any issues which would cost a lot of time. Before the publishing of all the entries, it is difficult to say what would be a good result to aim for, however, if things turn out well, Griebel hopes to be in the hunt for a podium spot.
Outside of rallying, Griebel works as a police officer. “We could say that I am one half rally driver and one half police officer. I spend quite a lot of time talking to kids and young people about various issues, and showing them my rally car. The important thing is to teach them that rallying is for when you want to race, but safety is the first priority in everyday driving!”
For his fourth time in Rally Liepāja, Marijan Griebel will be driving a Škoda Fabia R5 which was also used in the Canary Islands. He will be co-driven by Stefan Kopczyk.
Tickets to FIA European Rally Championship round Rally Liepāja are available in all Biļešu Serviss locations. News and other information about Rally Liepāja can be found on the official website at www.lvrally.com, as well as on social media Twitter @LVRally, Facebook /LVRally, draugiem.lv /lvrally, YouTube /RallyLiepāja and Instagram /lvrally.
FIA European Rally Championship round Rally Liepāja is possible thanks to the support of the Latvian government, the rally city of Liepāja, as well as the Talsi region. We would also like to thank our sponsors Neste, Ramirent, and SC Grupa, car rental partner Sixt, and our supporters Canon Business Center – IB Serviss, Liepājas Olimpiskais Centrs, Liepājas Speciālās Ekonomiskās Zonas Pārvalde, Pafbet Score, and Swecon. Informative support is provided by news portal DELFI and media partners Go4Speed, JCDecaux Latvija, Kurzemes Vārds, Talsu Vēstis, and Zebra. Rally Liepāja would also not be possible without our rally friends: adGuru, Baltic Taxi, Dardedze, Flora, FN Serviss, Fristads, Jānis Pūce, Latvijas Pārtikas Ražotājs, Lofbergs, Meža Dārzs, Narvesen, Red Bull, Red Sun Buffet, Scan-Plast, SignTech, Sportland, TN Kurzeme, and Törley. Rally Liepāja is realized with support by the regional councils of Aizpute, Durbe, Priekule, Skrunda, and Vaiņode. A special thank you goes out to the Latvian Automobile Federation. Rally Liepāja is organized by RA EVENTS and Speed Festival Kurzeme.
