Diego Ruiloba and Ángel Vela are back at the Rally Villa de Llanes, this time with Lancia Corse España. The team wants to take the podium again and mark Lancia’s comeback on Asturian roads.
Diego Ruiloba and Ángel Vela are coming back to the Rally Villa de Llanes with one goal. After their win in 2024, they now race for Lancia Corse España. They want to win again and show that Lancia is back on Asturian tarmac.
This year is a big one for Lancia. The brand officially returns to the Rally Villa de Llanes after more than thirty years away. The Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, a new car for this season, will run its first rally on these tricky, winding roads. For Ruiloba and Vela, this is more than just another race. They are racing at home, in front of their own fans. They want another trophy, but also a win that means something for them and for the team.
The official entry list for the 2026 Rally Villa de Llanes confirms Ruiloba’s participation with Lancia Corse España among 72 crews.
The Rally Villa de Llanes is a tough stop on the S-CER (Supercampeonato de España de Rallies) calendar. The roads here have made legends. Lancia won four times between 1986 and 1992, with drivers like Salvador Servià, Chus Puras, and Gustavo Trelles. Now, Ruiloba and Vela want to add their names to that list and carry the brand’s story forward.
Just fifteen days ago, Ruiloba and Vela set a personal best with seven stage wins at the Rally Blendio Princesa de Asturias. They also took their third bonus stage on gravel. That run gives them momentum for Llanes. The rally starts Thursday evening in the town center. On Friday, there are five special stages, including a night run through Toró. Saturday brings eight more stages. The service park at Área La Talá will be Lancia’s base for the weekend.
“The Rally Villa de Llanes is one of the most cherished events for every team in the Supercampeonato de España, and for Ángel and me, it’s especially meaningful,” Ruiloba said. “Our victory two years ago was a turning point. The stages here are spectacular, and our only goal this weekend is to win. We have the car, the team, the speed, and everything we need to get back on top of the podium, so we’ll be pushing from the very first kilometer.”
According to local press, the 2026 edition is set to be one of the main duels of the weekend, with Ruiloba currently second in the S-CER standings and José Antonio Suárez leading the championship by a significant margin. The event will take place from September 24 to 26 in Llanes, as confirmed by official announcements and the tourist board.
Lancia’s return is not just about looking back. The brand’s record in Llanes matches its four wins at the Rally Blendio Princesa de Asturias, with three of those wins coming in a row. In 1986, Salvador Servià and Jordi Sabater won in the Lancia Rally 037. Then came wins in 1990 and 1992 with the Lancia Delta Integrale 16V, and another by Gustavo Trelles and Ricardo Ivetich in between. This year, the Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale is here to chase that winning feeling again.
Lancia Corse España has strong backing from sponsors like Distrigo, Pirelli, TotalEnergies, Quartz, and Volan FAPA. The team is serious about the S-CER. They want results, and only a win will do as the championship heads into its final rounds.
The Spanish rally scene is known for close title fights, as seen in recent reports. That shows how intense and unpredictable the sport can be at this level.
Lancia’s return to Llanes is not just about history. It is a move to show the brand still matters in Spanish rallying. With Ruiloba and Vela driving, the team wants to turn old memories into new wins. If they pull it off, it will prove that Lancia’s story is still being written on the roads of Asturias.
