The first round of the Latvian Rally Championship the Rally Sarma 2008 took place in Gulbene, Latvia on Sunday and the 'Offroad' T1 (4X4) Class was won by the rally team of Emīls Jakrins and Mārtiņš Priede, who competed in the event with their Fiat Panda 4x4 which is powered by a 1.6-litre engine.

Amazingly the Fiat team left the event favourites Jānis Naglis/Agris Pētersons (Mitsubishi Pajero) and Andris Ozols/Uģis Rēķis (VAZ 21214) behind them. As previously mentioned, Jakrins and Priede competed in the rally in a Panda 4x4, which is a compact and genuinely powerful little car with which the Latvian crew are now competing in for a second season.

Over a year it was customised especially for the needs of competition. And already during the tail end of the Latvian Championship season last year they were achieving very good results, fighting out a third place finish in the final round at Skrunda. The Rally Sarma 2008 comprised 522.77 km (189.94 km timed) split into 2 legs and 14 stages, the longest of which was 32.70 km.

The race, as acknowledged by Jakrins, was very successful, despite a number of problems that the crew faced. During the six special stage on day one a rear wheel on the Panda was damaged, and all the remaining eight special stages needed to be driven with the driver having to manage with only three working brakes. Notwithstanding this, the time advantage gained during the first day was maintained and they eventually won their class.

The dimensionally compact Fiat Panda 4x4 has completely justified itself as a car, that is suitable for roads that are difficult to drive over. It is possible to overcome all kinds of obstacles. Moreover it stands out with its excellent manoeuvrability, excellent steerability, compact dimensions and clearance, which during a rally are especially important characteristics.