Rally Costa Brava ushers in exciting new era for Historic rallying

As well as hosting the first of 10 eagerly anticipated FIA EHRC rounds, Rally Costa Brava marks the start of an exciting new era for the championship with iconic rally cars homologated between 1993 and 2000 allowed to take part after Appendix K of the International Sporting Code, which governs historic car eligibility, was updated.

For 2025, cars such as the Ford Escort Cosworth RS, Renault Clio Maxi Kit Car and Subaru Impreza 555, will compete in the new P2000 (P2) class. And while they won’t be eligible for FIA EHRC points and will run behind the final Category 1-4 competitor on both legs of an event this season, their participation provides an exciting glimpse into the future as motor sport’s world governing body finalises the 2026 FIA EHRC structure.

Based in the city of Girona north of Barcelona, Rally Costa Brava is a highlight of the historic rallying fixture list. Using all-Tarmac stages and celebrating its 73rd edition with title sponsorship from KH-7, the event has attracted entries from 59 FIA EHRC crews. They will put themselves and their cars to the test on 13 special stages covering a timed distance of 151.284 kilometres.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2025?

In addition to the creation of the Pre-2000 category, the FIA EHRC calendar for 2025 includes Rallye Antibes Historic in France (May 16-18), Ardeca Ypres Historic Rally in Belgium (June 27-28) and Historic Rally Fafe in Portugal (November 7-8). These three events will be included alongside seven rallies that helped to make the 2024 FIA EHRC a huge success. They are Rally Costa Brava (Spain), Historic Vltava Rallye (Czech Republic), Historic Rallye Weiz (Austria), Lahti Historic Rally (Finland), Historic Acropolis Rally (Greece), Rallye Elba Storico (Italy) and Rally de Asturias Histórico (Spain). Click HERE to view the 2025 FIA EHRC calendar.

Although the 2025 FIA EHRC schedule gives crews 10 opportunities to compete, the sporting regulations allow drivers and co-drivers to count their best six scores for all categories, classes and trophies. Apart from Lahti Historic Rally and Historic Acropolis Rally, all events run on asphalt.

On all FIA EHRC events, cars in Category 1-4 will be grouped together on each leg. Any other cars, including those homologated between 1993-2000, will be seeded behind.

Ten bonus points will be awarded to crews starting Historic Vltava Rallye, round two of the season in April, and Historic Rally Fafe, the deciding event of the season in November. Two bonus points will continue to be awarded to crews starting all other rounds.

WHO’S IN IT TO WIN IT?

Several previous Rally Costa Brava winners will be chasing FIA EHRC points on round one of the season. They include Luigi “Lucky” Battistolli, who returns alongside co-driver Fabrizia Pons, Tony Fassina, Jesus Ferreiro and Pascal Perroud. Last season’s Category 1 champion James Potter and overall runner-up Ernie Graham are also entered along with stalwart FIA EHRC competitors such as Tim Jones, Carlo Fiorito, Éric Guignard, Antonio Parisi, Jesus Villaroel and László Mekler, who has switched from an Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA to a Lancia 037 Rallye. Motor sport all-rounder Romain Dumas and 18-time FIA World Rally Championship event winner Jari-Matti Latvala are also registered for FIA EHRC points. Tibor Érdi Jr, the 2024 FIA EHRC champion, will start his campaign later in the season, as will Piotr Gadomski, who won the inaugural FIA EHRC Front-Wheel-Drive title last season. The full Rally Costa Brava entry list will be available HERE in the coming days.

RALLY COSTA BRAVA: THE ROUTE IN SHORT

It will be a Rally Costa Brava with a difference this year with the return of the Els Angels night stage from 20:05 hrs local time on Thursday March 13 after a one-year break. Following the opening test, the action continues on Friday March 14 with two loops of three repeated stages, including Salions – Sant Grau Curt, the longest of the day at 11.315 kilometres. Santuari Dels Àngels is up first from 08:05 hrs. Saturday’s (March 15) deciding leg also consists of three stages run twice with the 14.882-kilometre Collsaplana the rally’s longest test. The day begins with the 8.911 kilometres of Sant Miquel de Cladells from 08:50 hrs, while the podium ceremony in Girona’s Rotonda Pedret due to get under way at 18:40 hrs. In total, 13 stages are scheduled over a competitive distance of 151.284 kilometres. The service park is located in Fornells de la Selva. Click HERE to view the event itinerary.

Approximately 500 people will be volunteering their time without financial reward to make Rally Costa Brava happen.

FIA EHRC’S FLEXIFLY PARTNERSHIP CONTINUES

FlexiFly, a specialist aircraft hire company, remains an official partner of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship in 2025.

During each round of the FIA EHRC, registered crews will take part in an official photocall and receive a commemorative cap. Bespoke digital content highlighting the partnership between the FIA EHRC and FlexiFly will also be produced.

Under the guidance of FIA EHRC stalwart contender Ernie Graham, FlexiFly has grown to become one of the United Kingdom’s leading providers of private aircraft hire services. It’s also a long-term supporter of the FIA EHRC through its participation in the FIA European Historic Rally Championship for Teams. FlexiFly driver James Potter won the FIA EHRC Category 1 title in 2024.

European Historic Rally Championship

EHRCSEASON 2025SportHistoric1SportEuropean Historic Rally ChampionshipHistoricSEASON 2025EHRC00Monday, March 10, 2025 – 11:00amMonday, March 10, 2025 – 11:00am