Organisers have been forced to make minor route changes for the World Rally Championship’s visit to the Canary Islands later this month due to damage caused by a recent weather event.
Last month the Canary Islands were hit by Storm Therese, which resulted in high winds and heavy rain battering the Spanish archipelago. The storm caused widespread flooding, power cuts, road closures and landslides.
The original asphalt route proposed to host the fourth round of the 2026 season (23-26 April) has largely been unaffected, but organisers have been forced to make some alterations to the itinerary for Friday’s leg.
“The damage caused in numerous areas of Gran Canaria by the recent DANA storm that battered the archipelago forced the organising committee to react swiftly and skilfully to revise the initially planned itinerary for Friday’s leg,” read a statement from the rally organisers.
“Thanks to the collaboration of the Gran Canaria Island Council and all the municipalities, the first full day of the 50th Rally Islas Canarias – Rally Spain will still feature a loop of three stages, which festers several changes.”
Stage two – Valleseco – Artenara1 has been shortened by two kilometres, with the start now beginning further into the original test. The stage will run for 13.13km.
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
The Tejeda – San Mateo stage (20.69km) was due to take place at the end of the loop, but has now been moved up the running order to become stage three. The Morgan – La Aldea test (21.80km) will become the final test of the loop and will now be run in the opposite direction.
The itinerary for Saturday and Sunday remains unchanged from the original route published in February.
Prior to the storm, organisers had already announced a change to the original itinerary. The rally had planned to kick off with a stage held at the famous Circuito Islas Canarias, the venue that hosted the legendary Race of Champions from 1992 to 2003.
However, this stage has been replaced by a new super special stage at the Gran Canaria Stadium in Las Palmas. The purpose-built layout will make full use of the 30,000 seater stadium’s interior and is set to feature side-by-side competition.
The stage, named Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, will run twice across the opening two days of the rally. The first pass forms Thursday’s sole timed test at 18:05, while the second will close Friday’s leg at 19:45.
The change means the previously scheduled Las Palmas city stage on Saturday has also been removed in favour of Friday’s second stadium run.
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– The Autosport.com Team
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