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A Motoring Festival

As the final engine tunings are made and the expectation has reached its highest peak, I gladly acknowledge that all is set for the most important edition ever made in SATA Rally Azores History, which already is a long and worthy one.
Indeed, this year, Azorean motoring has restated its strength thanks to this Rally’s integration in one of the highest landings of the international calendar thus putting our archipelago definitely clear in the map of world’s sports. This is not only the fulfilment of the regional rally pioneers’ dreams but also qualifies the Azores as a modern and developed place, capable of corresponding to the demands that an event of this kind produces.

Grupo Desportivo Comercial has managed a conjugation of endeavours on these last decades, keeping alive this remarkable motoring regional festival, which calls up thousands of fans to our roads as well as carries out a wide range of economical activities whose aim is tourism. All summed up allows us to frame SATA Rally Azores in Azores best of and its managers worthy of compliments and stimulus so that the good work may proceed.
Azores will be the centre of all attention on account of the international broadcasting that this year’s Rally will bring us; therefore, one half of success seems to have been reached already. My deepest wishes are that SATA Rally Azores shall correspond to what managers, technicians, candidates and the thousands of fans that will follow it closely expect it to be.

To all, I wish fair work and good luck.
Carlos César
President of the Azores Government
 


 
 

Welcome to SATA Rallye

The Azores islands are increasingly being recognized as a tourist destination of excellence for their unique beauty and rich diversity. Particularly for Europeans and North Americans, the Azores offer a tremendously rich value proposition as a tourist destination: close but exotic, different yet familiar. For this reason, it is perfectly reasonable to expect the Azores’ socio-economic development to focus strategically on the tourism sector, based on appropriate promotional efforts and sustained flights.
SATA considers this focus on tourism an integral part of its corporate purpose. Over recent years, it has cultivated this vision by opening routes to major cities in Western Europe and North America, reinforcing domestic and inter-island flights and – of particular importance – investing in promoting the Azores as a destination.
SATA’s current presence as a key carrier from the Azores in important North Atlantic gateways – from Toronto to Frankfurt, Boston, London and many other major outbound travel markets – is the pinnacle of SATA’s consistent, proactive commitment to connect the Azores with the world, and a testimony to its organizational excellence.
The SATA Rallye, as an integral part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), undoubtedly shares this vision and outlook with SATA: The SATA Rallye puts the Azores at the centre of the sports world, while proving that everything needed to organize world-class events can be found in the Azores. Congratulations to Grupo Desportivo Comercial for this notable feat, visible at every level, that will greatly enrich the Azores’ profile in the world! Grupo Desportivo Comercial should be commended.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to all of those collaborating and participating in the SATA Rallye, with our hope that the SATA Rallye will take place in a setting that mirrors the essence of SATA itself: Cordiality and Safety.

Chairman of SATA
 
 
 
 
Message from Grupo Dsportivo Comercial Chairman

It is with undisguised pride, I state in this moment of great emotion, and with the determination of whom embraced a task, over two years after we have assumed the leadership of Grupo Desportivo Comercial and consequently the Presidency of the SATA Rallye Azores, the dream has become reality - the SATA Rallye Azores is now a part of IRC/Eurosport and is alongside of the greatest events of this nature.
Let me begin by addressing a word of heartfelt thanks to those who in one way or another, contributed to the 44th edition of the 2009 SATA Rallye Azores.
It was not easy to fulfill our dreams, but it is up to me to say that we did it with the help of our leaders and sponsors.
Among these, highlight is owed to the President of the Government of the Azores, who believed that this project could put our region in a spot of high visibility, where, clearly, the promotional gain will be great, mainly because of this new project called IRC - Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
The merit today acknowledged to this competition, allows us to be in a position to collect the gains, which are the promotional condition of excellence alongside with touristic destinations like Monaco, Brazil, Italy, Belgium, Russia, UK and Japan.
The quality of our special stages guarantees the arguments to sometimes compete, and why not say it, surpass in a context marked by the insular living, but where the exoticism of our islands will make a difference.
The task of taking the name of the Azores to the world is a huge responsibility, but it is also a task undertaken with great natural commitment from all who are part of this team.
Let us therefore wait with serenity the coming of a wider number of participants, who have the ultimate responsibility of providing a first-rate show, where each one of them will do his best.
Finally, I appeal to all Azoreans in order that we join efforts to enhance these paradise islands, now united by a common cause towards a worldwide promotion, trough the relevant presence in the Eurosport channel.
The importance of SATA Rallye Azores does not end at this moment it is rather a work in progress.
We also want to publicly acknowledge the help and commitment of our sponsors. First and foremost, Grupo Marques that with their initiatives and creativity has managed to bring, once again, the special stage Marques, which for many is among the best in the world.
A word of thanks to the Technical Board for its enthusiasm, professionalism and dedication that contributed significantly to the fulfillment of this event and also to everyone that, one way or another, gave their cooperation.
 The beginning is close, the teams are already preparing… let the best man win... because the Azores ... have already won!
Francisco Coelho
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