This weekend (June 5-6) there is one more reason to visit the city of Vlora. In addition to the beach and perfect temperatures, every citizen will have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacle of sports cars, “Rally Albania 2021”.
A real sports competition that will eventually be finalized with another winner, but which is also a very positive indicator for tourism in the country, after the COVID-19 pandemic. Rally Albania 2021, for the 17th year in a row has landed in the coastal city, where 200 pilots, 300 foreigners from all over Europe from 30 countries, will participate in the big race, which takes place under the support of the Mayor of Vlora, Dritan Leli.
The special thing is that this year there is a large participation of girls, compared to previous editions. In an interview for Report Tv journalist, Armand Xhelili, the organizer of this competition, Julinda Dhamo has given the details.
“It is an important race because there are athletes, but also amateurs who like this sport, car, off-roader, off-road motor and a modified SSV car. There are many foreigners, all languages are spoken, we get along through signs, it is important that we started in this city for the first time in 16 years and we wanted such a big place, with so many parking spaces. There are boys and girls not only by car but also motorcycle. Requires a physical preparation. Competition, but also a very good promoter of tourism. The fact that this race grows every year and more, shows that there is a very good approach to all competitors. Competitors also come here on vacation with family. “It is the biggest race in the Balkans,” said Dhamo.
She stressed that this competition also serves the image of Albania in the eyes of foreigners, and said that it has attracted a lot of attention of vacationers in Vlora. “This is the race with the largest participation of the sea now, it is 17 years of competition, many young people who come have an impression different from what we have heard, it is enough to have hotel capacity to have the opportunity to sleep. “Citizens come and see the means and there is a great interest, we have the help of all institutions”, she added.
Unanimously, the pilots say that Albania is a fantastic country. We are Italian, we have the Italian car “Panda”. It is the first time we participate in this competition and we will have a lot of fun. It will be beautiful days. “This is the Italian symbol.”
“Vlora is a very beautiful place, the sea is very good and I ate very tasty food. I have not done many professional races before but there will be everything, racing a forest, mountains and slopes “.
“We race with three cars in this race and 2 engines. It’s not my first time here, I was in 2011, 2012 then there were others in 2013-14-15. “Albania is becoming more beautiful than us, at least the coastline.”
“Everything is very beautiful, Vlora is a very beautiful city, extraordinary views and very clean water and very good food. “There can be no better than that.”
“It is the first time I come to Albania in a Rally race, my first Rally race and we hope that everything will go well.”
“I live in France, in Corsica. Racing is an activity, to secure more points to achieve. It is the first time I come to Albania. I like Albania very much, for example Vlora is very beautiful.
“To get here we have undertaken a 7-day trip through Europe, we arrived yesterday in Tirana and today here in Vlora, where we will close the first stage of the Rally race.
“It is My first time in Albania and in Vlora and the country seems wonderful to me. “The sun shines very, very much and I like it very much.”
“It’s not to discover, it is to learn, but it certainly remains a race. It’s my first time in the Rally. “Pleasure always comes first”, say the pilots.
As it is learned, the race will start from Narta and the next day it will cross the whole part of Karaburun towards the river of Vlora, and then it will go to Gjirokastra. “Rally Albania 2021” will follow the itinerary in Ersekë, Peshkopi and then everything will end in the capital, where the ceremony for announcing the winner of the big race “Rally Albania 2021” will take place.
Rally Albania 2021 has become one of the most important and attractive races of the Albanian navigation, but not only. The peculiarity according to the pilots is that in Albania you can see them all during the race off the paved roads such as rivers, mountains, mud and rocks, which makes this race very exciting. This is not only a sporting event, but also a tourist one, as many foreigners who are familiar with the culture of Albania participate.
