Rincón de la Victoria will host the 35th Rallye Gibralfaro, drawing 60 cars and facing a key inspection that could open the door to the Spanish Rally Championship in 2027. The race crosses nine Málaga towns and brings in teams from all over Andalusia.
The 35th Rallye Gibralfaro is more than just another race in Andalusia. This weekend, Rincón de la Victoria turns into the testing ground for a rally aiming to break into Spain’s top motorsport league. Organizers are making a direct push for a spot in the Campeonato de España de Rallyes in 2027.
Sixty cars will line up—forty in the speed class and twenty in regularity. Drivers and fans will fill the streets and mountain roads of nine Málaga towns. Escudería Gibralfaro runs the event with help from the local council and the Diputación de Málaga. Racing starts Saturday morning and runs through Sunday afternoon. Both the ceremonial start and the trophy ceremony will take place in Plaza de la Constitución, right in the center of Rincón de la Victoria.
The official city tourism website of Rincón de la Victoria includes Rallye Gibralfaro as a key event in its weekend program, highlighting its importance for local tourism.
This year, the real test happens off the course. For the first time, an official from the Real Federación Española de Automovilismo (RFEDA) will be on site. Their job is to see if Rallye Gibralfaro meets the standards for the national championship calendar. This pre-inspection is a big moment. Escudería Gibralfaro president Juanma Gómez called this edition “special” because it could raise the rally’s status. Regional media say the organizers themselves asked for the RFEDA observer as part of the formal pre-inspection process.
Local leaders know what’s at stake. Antonio José Martín, councillor for Tourism and Sports, said the rally brings together teams and fans from all over Andalusia. Mayor Francisco Salado pointed to the economic and tourism boost that comes with hosting a major event. The route shows off the Axarquía region, running through Casabermeja, Moclinejo, Totalán, Comares, Benamargosa, Cútar, Almáchar, and El Borge, as well as Rincón de la Victoria. Multiple sources confirm the rally is a two-day event, starting Saturday and ending Sunday with a ceremony in Plaza de la Constitución.
Fans can get full details on routes, schedules, and where to watch through the official Escudería Gibralfaro channels. Safety tips are also posted to help keep the event smooth for everyone.
Municipal authorities have publicly linked the rally to positive economic effects for both the city and the wider region, emphasizing the expected influx of tourists and related activities during the event.
The push to join the national championship fits a wider trend in Spanish motorsport. More regional rallies are chasing bigger recognition and economic impact. As reported earlier, Spain’s car scene is seeing more competition and innovation, with local events helping shape the field.
Engines will fire up and crowds will gather. The outcome of this weekend’s inspection will decide if Rallye Gibralfaro can step up to the national stage. The organizers’ push for 2027 is clear: they want to turn a well-known regional rally into a national fixture. If the event meets RFEDA’s standards, it could be a turning point for motorsport in Málaga and set a new bar for what local ambition can do with the right plan and community backing.
