Girona is already enjoying the 74 Rally KH-7 Costa Brava

● The opening round of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship and Spanish Historic Rally Championships got underway on Thursday evening, attracting large crowds to the Girona podium and to the first night stage.
● For the fourth consecutive year, more than 200 historic rally cars are competing in the Rally KH-7 Costa Brava, the oldest rally in Spain.

The 74 Rally KH-7 Costa Brava is officially underway. On Thursday evening, Jari-Matti Latvala and Janni Hussi gave the starting signal to the opening round of both the FIA European Historic Rally Championship (FIA EHRC) and the Spanish Historic Rally Championship (also counting towards the Catalan Championship). In front of a large and enthusiastic crowd, the Finnish crew winners of last year’s Costa Brava — were the first to leave the podium located in Girona, carrying number 1 on their Toyota Celica ST185. Thus began another historic edition of Spain’s oldest rally, marking the fourth consecutive year with more than 200 registered vehicles. Until Saturday evening, Girona, Fornells de la Selva and the province’s demanding special stages will host the spectacle of Europe’s finest historic rally machinery.

Historic Pre-2000 Photo

On Thursday afternoon, the parc fermé area and the podium in Girona hosted the official pre-event ceremonies of the 74 Rally KH-7 Costa Brava. A historic group photo was taken featuring the dozen cars entered in the newly created FIA EHRC Pre-2000 championship, gathered together for the first time. These Kit Car and WRC category cars thrilled rally fans during the second half of the 1990s, including iconic models such as the Peugeot 306 Maxi Kit Car, Renault Clio Maxi Kit Car, Ford Escort WRC and Subaru Impreza, among others. The Costa Brava is the first rally where competitors score points towards this new European title, marking a new era in historic rallying that complements the traditional Pre-1992 championship.

The autograph session followed, where Jari-Matti Latvala, three-time World Rally Championship runner-up, once again proved the star attraction. In addition to the Finnish ace, more than a dozen national champions and FIA rally champions are competing in Girona, including France’s Raphäel Astier, Britain’s Osian Pryce and Seb Perez, Italy’s Maurizio Verini and Enrico Brazzoli, Germany’s Ruben Zeltner, Ireland’s Donagh Kelly and Spain’s Mia Bardolet.

All of them are at the wheel of cars that have shaped rally history: 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) and Porsche 911 models. The Rally KH-7 Costa Brava offers fans the chance to see, hear and experience these classic motorsport legends up close.

After the autograph session, competitors in the Sporting Speed category crossed the Pont de Pedret podium at nightfall before heading to contest the Santuari dels Àngels stage. Despite rainy conditions, it proved a major celebration, with a dedicated spectator area and activities set up at the famous Can Mascort corner. The main favourites, Jari-Matti Latvala and Janni Hussi, set the fastest time on this opening stage and lead both the overall classification and the Pre-1992 category. Mattia Perosino and Alessia Binello (Renault Clio Williams) were the quickest in the Pre-2000 category.

Atmosphere in Fornells de la Selva

With the 74 Rally KH-7 Costa Brava now in full swing, Fornells de la Selva and the province’s most iconic stages take centre stage. On Friday and Saturday, Fornells hosts the popular Service Park, designed as a space where fans can get close to the cars, observe the teams at work and interact with the drivers in a welcoming, family-friendly environment.

From a sporting perspective, Regularity competitors join the Sporting field on Friday. Among them are well-known figures from the cultural world, including renowned pastry chef Jordi Roca, competing for the fifth time as a member of the SEAT Históricos team in a Seat Ibiza 2.0 GTI, and internationally acclaimed singer Alvaro Soler, who is contesting his fourth Costa Brava in a Porsche 911 SC.

With that, the caravan of more than 200 vehicles is complete. On Friday, the rally returns twice to the Els Àngels stage (now in its longer configuration), as well as to Santa Pellaia Curt and Salions – Sant Grau Curt, each run twice. On Saturday, the final leg features two passes over the legendary Guilleries stages: Sant Miquel de Cladells, Collsaplana and Sant Hilari – Osor.

In total, the 74 Rally KH-7 Costa Brava includes 13 stages (12 for Regularity competitors), covering 157.1 timed kilometres (147.2 km of Regularity). The event will conclude on Saturday afternoon at the Pont de Pedret podium in Girona, where the trophy ceremony will take place from 6:00 pm onwards.