English 
Português 
Deutsch 
Español 
The parish of Santa Maria Maior will hold the wooden car ramp (rampa de carros de Pau) on June 25th, an event that always attracts a large public that enjoys these races that speed down the winding streets of the city.
The traditional races with wooden cars (carros de pau) will now be held in the city of Funchal, with the support of the Santa Maria Maior Parish Council, in partnership with the Recreational and Cultural Association of Friends of Wooden Cars of Água de Pena (Associação Recreativa e Cultural dos Amigos de Carros de Pau de Água de Pena), as part of the Regional Championship of "Rampa de Santa Maria Maior".
This is a way to revive an old tradition that existed on the island of Madeira, as it was one of the forms of entertainment and fun used to pass free time and promote healthy interaction among generations. Passed down from fathers to sons and from children to grandchildren, not only the driving skills but also the manual techniques for building these real racing toys.
In the construction of these cars, recycled materials are typically used, particularly wood, which always provides a lot of adrenaline for those who participate. The speed at which most of them descend the steep streets of the city impresses the audience and, on the other hand, attests to the courage of the most fearless competitors.
The race, which is in its 7th edition, starts at 16:00 next to the Estádio da Madeira, with the finish line set up in front of Escola Ribeiro Domingos Dias in Funchal. The respective handing out of the awards will take place between 19:00 and 19:15, followed by a social gathering at the Santa Maria Maior Civic Centre.
