Ruiloba completes his comeback in the 'Island of Volcanoes' with a victory by a tenth of a second

Diego Ruiloba and Ángel Vela enter the history of the Rallye Isla de Los Volcanes – Trofeo Ciudad de Arrecife as the winners of the first edition of the Lanzarote event valid for the Supercampeonato de España de Rallyes (S-CER). The Asturians culminated a heroic comeback with their scratch in the tenth and final special stage of the event organized by Club Deportivo Evesport, in which they finally made up the difference that separated them from the top of the general classification.

The Lancia Corse España officials, who at the end of the second stage on Friday were more than half a minute behind the lead, erupted in joy upon learning the times of the repeat of ‘Baleària – Tinajo’, which turned into a sprint of true heartbreak. At the wheel of their Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, they set the time they needed to confirm themselves as winners by the narrowest possible margin. After more than a hundred kilometers against the clock, by only a tenth.

Pepe López and David Vázquez finished with the taste of ashes. The three-time champion of the highest national event, who has not savored victory in a state-validity event since October 2024, lost the lead he had held for practically the entire weekend at the last moment. He tried to maximize the performance of his Hyundai i20 N Rally2 ‘Step2’ on the unique Lanzarote roads, but his efforts were insufficient in that battle.

Yeray Lemes and Aitor Cambeiro were in charge of closing the podium of the Supercampeonato de España de Rallyes (S-CER) and, simultaneously, of leading the corresponding one for the Campeonato de Canarias de Rallyes de Tierra (CCRT). The locals, at the wheel of a Citroën C3 Rally2 that they had never driven on gravel before, put in a positive performance against the best drivers in the country. Just behind the locals finished Sergi Pérez and Axel Coronado with their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.

Giovanni Fariña and Alejandro Rodríguez, debuting in the Archipelago with a Rally2 category vehicle, secured a fifth place with which they consolidate their positive trend among the Spanish elite. Ferran Jubany and Alejandro López, who enjoyed the challenge of Lanzarote's varied tracks, obtained a sixth position at the wheel of their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. By a very narrow margin, they managed to precede Borja Pérez and Rubén Pérez, (Škoda Fabia R5), who finished seventh overall.

A series of unfortunate punctures penalized the options of Juan Carlos Quintana and Jonathan Hernández. The Gran Canarian and the Majorero put in a display of endurance to save seventh place overall and fourth within the Canary Islands regional championship, but were ultimately disqualified after completing a section with a destroyed wheel following a double puncture. José Luis García and Daniel Cué were eighth with their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. The top nine was rounded out by the fastest in the Desafío Peugeot, Javier Sosa and Carlos Javier Fragiel, who dominated the decisive day with authority and took category 2 and the two-wheel-drive trophy within the CCRT.

The final celebration with the trophy presentation was once again massive and brought together a large institutional and sporting representation from Lanzarote, Arrecife, and the main sponsors, in addition to the RFEDA, FCA, and FALP, on the spectacular finish ramp at Playa del Reducto in Arrecife.

The organization of CD. Evesport is very satisfied with the development of the event and believes they have passed this first edition in the S-CER with flying colors, receiving congratulations from all organizations, participants, and fans from the very moment it concluded.