This is the first season that Andalucía Rally features in the calendar of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies. Last year, however, the Spanish round only made it as an emergency replacement when the expansion of the coronavirus triggered the suspension of Rally Morocco, a traditional preparatory event for the Dakar. 

Faced with this major setback, the director of the legendary raid, David Castera, devised an alternative event that would serve as a preparatory test ahead of the toughest race in the world, and managed to organise the Andalucía Rally in just two months. 

Following the success of its inaugural edition, which brought together the greatest stars of off-road rallying, the Spanish round has now made it to the international calendar.

Starting today and until the 16th of May, the rally aces will get back into action after a long period of inactivity. An initial prologue of 32-kilometer will give way to four stages comprising more than 1,200 kilometres in total. The list of entries is made up of 120 cars and 85 motorcycles among which are the greatest names of the specialty.

Cars category: Sainz vs Al-Attiyah

In four-wheels, we can expect a thrilling duel between the Spaniard Carlos Sainz and the Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah. This trio, latest winners of the desert rally, add up 6 Dakar trophies between them. 

As for ‘El Matador’, he is changing his vehicle at the Andalucía Rally. He will share a Mini 4×4 with his faithful co-driver Lucas Cruz, casting aside for this occasion his usual buggy from the German firm. 

The orography of the race has motivated this change, with two-wheel-drive vehicles much better suited to it than ‘all-wheel drive’ cars. The Spaniards´ Mini JCW Buggy, by the way, will be used this time by Mattias Ekstrom, former Swedish Rally Cross and DTM driver. 

The Female Spaniard Laia Sainz, will try and carve herself a place among the list of great names that are taking part in the Andalucía Rally. The Catalan motorcycle pilot, who has now made the switch to cars, will debut at this high-level rally with a Mini 4×4 similar to that used by her partner in Extreme E. Laia began her journey on four wheels at this new ‘off-road’ electric category in February in Dubai, harvesting some very good sensations. 

Also taking part in the Andalucía Rally will be her compatriot Cristina Gutiérrez with an OT3. Gutiérrez is hoping to shine bright enough in this appointment so as to earn herself a seat at Prodrive alongside Nani Roma and Sebastien Loeb. 

Bikes category

Chilean pilot Pablo Quintanilla is one of the great names of the motorcycle category. Just 48 hours after signing with Honda, the 2020 Dakar runner-up will debut with the Japanese brand in Spain.

Alongside him, will be his new partner in the squad of the golden wing, the Spaniard Joan Barreda. Other prestigious nationals competing in Andalucía will be Lorenzo Santolino (Sherco), seventh in the previous edition of the Dakar, and the Catalan Joan Pedrero (SHAD / LS2). 

Images of Andalucía Rally: Andalucía Rally Twitter.