The 74 Rally KH-7 Costa Brava arrives with stars and new features

The first major event of the European historic rally season, taking place from 5 to 7 March, has been officially presented in Girona.
Once again, Spain’s oldest rally surpasses 200 vehicles and attracts leading names from the motorsport world such as Jari-Matti Latvala, along with high-profile personalities including Jordi Roca and Álvaro Soler.
The sporting spectacle is complemented more than ever by an extensive programme of parallel activities in Girona, at the Service Park, and along the rally’s legendary stages.

In just one week’s time, the 74 Rally KH-7 Costa Brava will fill Girona and the most iconic stages of the region with the atmosphere and spectacle of European historic automobile competition at its very best. The 2026 edition of Spain’s oldest rally was officially presented this morning in Girona, the event’s headquarters, in the presence of representatives from the organiser, Club RallyClassics, as well as institutional and corporate partners. The key message delivered was clear: the 74 Rally KH-7 Costa Brava will once again be a celebration packed with sporting highlights and a wide range of parallel activities. The event takes place from 5 to 7 March and opens the European historic rally calendar.

In its second year of collaboration with KH-7, Spain’s leading brand in kitchen cleaning and stain-removal products, the Rally KH-7 Costa Brava introduces significant new features. From a purely sporting perspective, the event further consolidates its position as the country’s most heavily attended rally, once again surpassing the 200-car mark, with 210 registered teams.

This year, the Costa Brava also marks the beginning of a new era in the FIA European Historic Rally Championship (FIA EHRC), with the debut of a dedicated championship for Pre-2000 cars, complementing the existing Pre-1992 category. As a result, Girona will host a dozen iconic late-1990s machines, including spectacular Peugeot 306 Maxi Kit Car, Renault Clio Maxi Kit Car, Ford Escort WRC and Subaru Impreza among others.

The 74 Rally KH-7 Costa Brava is the opening round for both European championships, Pre-1992 and Pre-2000, and also counts towards the Spanish (CERH) and Catalan championships in both Sporting and Regularity categories.

Among the Pre-1992 entries, the clear favourite is three-time World Rally Championship runner-up Jari-Matti Latvala, competing in a Toyota Celica ST185. The Finnish driver, co-driven by Janni Hussi, won the Rally KH-7 Costa Brava in 2025 and is the reigning European Historic Rally Champion.

In addition to Latvala, Girona will welcome more than ten national champions and FIA rally champions, including French driver Raphäel Astier, Britain’s Osian Pryce and Seb Perez, Italians Maurizio Verini and Enrico Brazzoli, Germany’s Ruben Zeltner, Ireland’s Donagh Kelly, and Mia Bardolet.

The participating vehicle line-up will represent a unique “museum in motion” in Europe. Alongside the aforementioned cars, spectators will see Lancia Rally 037, Lancia Stratos, BMW M1 Procar, Renault 5 Maxi Turbo, Ferrari 308 GTB Michelotto, Opel Ascona and Manta 400, Alpine A110, Seat Ibiza Kit Car, numerous BMW M3 (E30) models, various Porsche 911 versions, and many other jewels of classic automobile history.

The magic of the setting

However, an event of the magnitude of the Rally KH-7 Costa Brava attracts more than established drivers. It also draws well-known figures from the cultural world. Renowned pastry chef Jordi Roca once again competes as part of the SEAT Históricos team. In his fifth Costa Brava appearance, the Girona native will drive a Seat Ibiza 2.0 GTI, co-driven by Eloi Alsina. Internationally acclaimed singer Álvaro Soler will contest his fourth Costa Brava, competing in a Porsche 911 SC with Ramon Mañas as co-driver.

Once again, the RallyClassics event stands out for its strong international participation. Drawn by the magic of this legendary rally, its demanding stages and the unique landscape and cultural setting through which it runs, 67% of the participating teams come from abroad, representing 17 different nationalities. Furthermore, within the #MotorDona programme promoted by Club RallyClassics, 55 women are taking part as drivers and co-drivers. Women represent 13% of total participants, a figure that rises to 25% among co-drivers.

The Rally KH-7 Costa Brava attracts both top-level and amateur drivers primarily because of the legend surrounding its stages, where rally history has been written. The event begins on Thursday, 5 March with a night stage run over the Santuari dels Àngels. On Friday, the second stage includes two loops over Els Àngels, Santa Pellaia Curt and Salions – Sant Grau Curt. Saturday’s final leg features the well-known stages around Sant Hilari Sacalm: Sant Miquel de Cladells, Collsaplana and Sant Hilari – Osor, each run twice. In total, the 74 Rally KH-7 Costa Brava comprises 13 stages (12 for Regularity teams), with 157.1 km.

A festival of activities

The Rally KH-7 Costa Brava is much more than a rally and this year more than ever. Among the parallel activities, major innovations include the installation of giant screens in various locations thanks to collaboration with telecommunications and fibre provider Vera. Screens will be set up in central Girona (Plaça de la Independència), broadcasting all three days live from Thursday to Saturday. Additional screens will be located at the Fornells de la Selva Service Park village and at the Girona podium. Live coverage will also be available on the RallyClassics YouTube channel.

The event’s popular podium and parc fermé will once again be located at the Pont de Pedret in Girona. On Thursday 5 March at 18:00, a group photo of all FIA Pre-2000 vehicles will take place, followed by an autograph session before the start at 19:30. On Friday 6 March, the second day starts at 08:30 from the podium. On Saturday 7 March from 18:00, the rally will conclude with the arrival of the teams and the prize-giving ceremony.

The other epicentre of the Rally KH-7 Costa Brava will be the Service Park in Fornells de la Selva, hosting regroupings on Friday and Saturday. This area has become highly popular among fans and families, offering close access to teams and drivers at work. To further enhance the atmosphere, the Service Park village will feature bar service under a marquee, merchandising stands, food trucks, music, and Vera’s giant screen throughout the three days.

Additionally, the “Quilòmetres per la vida” campaign, promoted jointly by the Rally KH-7 Costa Brava and the Hospital Universitari de Girona Dr. Josep Trueta, will be present. At the Fornells de la Selva Service Park, the Hospital Trueta stand will accept donations supporting the renovation of its Cardiac Critical Care Unit. For every €5 donated, contributors will receive a ticket for a solidarity raffle featuring a prize hamper valued at over €3,500.

Finally, a dedicated spectator area will be set up at Can Mascort on the Els Àngels stage. During Thursday’s night pass and Friday’s two passes, several activities will transform this iconic Costa Brava location into a true celebration. Thursday evening will also feature a light show.

In summary, as highlighted during the official presentation, the 74 Rally KH-7 Costa Brava will be a top-level sporting celebration with strong popular appeal.