1 May 2025, Ronalds

Let us begin with the basics, what is Folkrace in Latvia?

Folkrace is a low-cost grassroots motorsport category where standard passenger cars compete in cross-style races, all of which are started together, thereby making the competitions spectacular to watch. The idea is to keep the car preparation costs as low as possible. There is a fixed purchase price for every car (in Latvia, €1100 for the "Folkrace Super" class, €3950 for the 4WD class, and €2350 for the RWD class). Any spectator can place an application to purchase a car for the fixed price at the time of the event. This concept is imported from Scandinavia (where it is known as folkrace or bilcross), and the regulations are designed to give justice and fair opportunity to all the participants.

Main Rules and Conditions of Participation:

The price of every car is fixed, and during the event, everyone can file an application to buy a specific car regarding the prices mentioned above. Once a car is applied for, it must be sold for the fixed price, no exceptions.

All participants are required to have a valid racing license issued by the Cross Commission of the Latvian Automobile Federation. Safety measures are strictly adhered to: the car must be equipped with a roll cage and other safety equipment approved by the Federation. Additional technical rules may apply, for example tire limitations.

Races are organized as multi-round series, such as the Winter and Summer Cups, but no national champion title is officially awarded. There are round winners, and overall series winners receive trophies. The events are organized by the Cross Commission of the Latvian Automobile Federation and judged by licensed judges.

Contestants are traditionally divided into classes based on drivetrain (front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive). Classification, however, is homogeneous in a way that allows for equal and easy competition. Each subcategory – Debutantes, Ladies, Juniors, and the Main Class, has its own awards ceremony.

Interestingly, the technical regulations of Latvian folkrace prohibit the use of side mirrors — only an interior rearview mirror is allowed. The purpose of this regulation also includes maintaining strategic racing dynamics and competitive intensity. The ban on exterior mirrors is inherited from Swedish folkrace traditions. One of the main ideas is to allow cars to line up as closely as possible at the start. Another key reason is to increase the intensity of on-track battles — without side mirrors, drivers can no longer comfortably follow the leader in a 'shadowing' mode, which forces them to rely more on spatial awareness and tactical skill. In other words, the absence of mirrors keeps drivers alert, relying on hearing and instincts rather than visual feedback from reflections.

This is how the Folkrace system works in Latvia. Since we do not have, at the moment, an Italian national autocross championship, in our view, this can be an excellent example to revive grassroots motorsport in Italy. We hope that the Italian motorsport federation takes note and begins to act. We are open to a collaboration!