Rincón de la Victoria will host the 35th Rallye Gibralfaro this weekend, with 60 cars and an RFEDA inspection that could advance organizers’ bid to join the Campeonato de España de Rallyes in 2027. The route crosses nine Málaga towns.
Forty cars will compete in the speed class and 20 in regularity. Drivers and fans will fill the streets and mountain roads of the nine towns. Escudería Gibralfaro runs the event with support from the local council and the Diputación de Málaga. Racing starts Saturday morning and continues through Sunday afternoon. Both the ceremonial start and the trophy ceremony will take place in Plaza de la Constitución, in the center of Rincón de la Victoria. The city’s official tourism website lists Rallye Gibralfaro among its basic weekend events, a sign of its importance to local tourism.
This year, the test extends beyond the course. For the first time, an official from the Real Federación Española de Automovilismo (RFEDA) will be on site to assess whether Rallye Gibralfaro meets the standards for the national championship calendar. Escudería Gibralfaro president Juanma Gómez called this edition “special” because it could raise the rally’s status. Regional media report that the organizers requested the RFEDA observer as part of the formal pre-inspection process.
Local leaders have stressed what is at stake. Antonio José Martín, councillor for Tourism and Sports, said the rally brings together teams and fans from across Andalusia. Mayor Francisco Salado pointed to the economic and tourism boost expected from hosting a major event. Municipal authorities have also cited the anticipated influx of tourists and related activities as expected sources of economic benefit for the city and wider region. The route showcases the Axarquía region, passing through Casabermeja, Moclinejo, Totalán, Comares, Benamargosa, Cútar, Almáchar and El Borge, as well as Rincón de la Victoria. The two-day event starts Saturday and ends Sunday with a ceremony in Plaza de la Constitución.
Fans can find route details, schedules and viewing locations through the official Escudería Gibralfaro channels. Safety tips are also posted to help the event run smoothly.
The bid to join the national championship fits a wider trend in Spanish motorsport, where more regional rallies are seeking greater 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 start and crowds will gather. The outcome of this weekend’s inspection will determine whether Rallye Gibralfaro can step up to the national stage. Organizers aim to turn the established regional rally into a national fixture in 2027. If the event meets RFEDA’s standards, it would mark a major step for motorsport in Málaga, backed by local ambition and community support.
