What makes Rally Islas Canarias so unique?

What makes Rally Islas Canarias so unique

With three crews representing the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy (Jon Armstrong/Eoin Treacy, Aoife Raftery/Hannah McKillop and Jack Brennan/John McGrath) set to contest this week’s Rally Islas Canarias, it is a good time to look at what makes the rally stand out from other events on the FIA European Rally Championship calendar.

A drivers’ parade, a stage inside a sports arena and roads made from lava, this rally has it all!

While the island of Gran Canaria is a popular holiday destination, there will be no time for the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy drivers and co-drivers to unwind.

That’s because precision-key asphalt roads that climb and descend and twist and turn with rapid frequency combine with changeable mountain weather for a challenge that’s not to be underestimated.

And the abrasive surface, constructed partly from volcanic lava, means grip levels are high but tyre wear can increase.

The first stage of Rally Islas Canarias, SSS1 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is set to provide another ERC season highlight.

Featuring a spectacular section inside the Gran Canaria Arena, the 1.80-kilometre route might be short in terms of length but there will be no shortage of fans with all 8000 available tickets snapped up almost instantly.

SSS1 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which is due to get under way at 20:35 local time on Thursday, is one of many fan-focused attractions in store during round two of the 2024 ERC season.

The ceremonial start returns to the centre of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria from 21:00 on Wednesday, while a drivers’ parade is another exciting addition to the itinerary from 19:45 on Thursday.

Three stages run either side of service at the spectacular Estadio Gran Canaria on both Friday and Saturday with the San Mateo Valsequillo Power Stage due to begin at 17:05 on Saturday.

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