Key rally stage cancelled in Gran Canaria due to numerous illegally parked cars
The Rally Islas Canarias in Gran Canaria was forced to cancel one of its most important stages yesterday, Friday, after members of the public ignored clear restrictions and parked their vehicles in a prohibited area.
Organisers confirmed that the first run of the ‘Tejeda–San Mateo’ stage had to be called off after numerous cars were left in zones strictly closed to traffic.
The affected section includes parts of the GC-600 road up to the Los Llanos junction and the GC-130 access route leading to the same point.
According to the organisers, access rules had been clearly communicated when the route was unveiled. It had been made “sufficiently clear” that private vehicles were not allowed to enter the restricted stage area.
Storm changes create new problems
The inclusion of this stretch was not part of the rally’s original design. Due to the sensitive natural environment and recommendations from environmental authorities, it had initially been left out of the official route.
However, the impact of Storm Therese on the island’s road network forced organisers to adapt the course at short notice, bringing this section into play as an alternative.
What began as a necessary adjustment due to adverse weather has now turned into a logistical headache, with teams working against the clock to clear the area.
Vehicles removed
With the stage cancelled, recovery teams removed the improperly parked vehicles in an effort to ensure the second pass of the stage, scheduled as the sixth section of the rally, could go ahead.
Despite the disruption, the competition continues. The rally resumed later in the day with the ‘Mogán–La Aldea’ stage, starting at 11:16am, organisers confirmed.
Warning to spectators
The incident serves as a clear warning to the thousands of fans who travel to watch the rally each year. Driving into restricted areas is not only prohibited but can disrupt the event, affect participating teams, delay schedules, and spoil the experience for others.
The Rally Islas Canarias-Rally de España remains one of the standout fixtures in Spain’s national rally calendar and a major event for Gran Canaria, drawing drivers, teams and fans from across the country.
