This Saturday, the Murça Rally, a new addition to the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Iberian Cup (TGRIC) calendar, will serve as the final battleground for the season’s championship title. Organized by Toyota Caetano Portugal, Toyota Spain, and the Motor & Sport Institute (MSI), the competition will witness young Bolivian driver Bruno Bulacia (CSM Automoció) in a prime position to secure his first international rally title.
Bulacia eyes TGRIC title victory
After securing third place in the 2023 TGRIC season, Bulacia has emerged as a dominant force this year, claiming four wins out of seven events, including Fafe, Aboboreira, Lisbon, and Catalonia. He has proven his versatility, excelling on both dirt and asphalt surfaces, with standout performances on gravel—his preferred terrain—and an impressive victory on Lisbon’s asphalt.
With a 31-point lead over Javier Villa (Asturhíbrido), a former Spanish Mountain Champion, 22-year-old Bulacia is set to clinch the title on his favored gravel tracks in Murça. This marks the last time the Toyota GR Yaris RZ will race on gravel stages this season, adding an extra layer of significance to Bulacia’s potential win.
Villa fights to secure second place
Javier Villa, who has shown strength on asphalt with wins in Sierra Morena and Villa de Llanes, enters the Murça Rally aiming to secure his second-place position in the championship standings. Though less comfortable on gravel, Villa will focus on defending his spot against Josep Bassas (IPPON Motor Vallés). Bassas, winner of the Rias Baixas Rally, is only 11 points behind Villa and could contend for the runner-up position. Meanwhile, Bassas must also remain vigilant of Pedro Lago Vieira (Toyota Caetano Auto), who is just 11 points behind him in fourth place, making this final race a high-stakes contest.
Final push for fifth place
In the absence of Miguel Campos (Macedo & Macedo GTW Racing), José Lamela (Grupo Breogán) has the opportunity to finish the season in fifth place. The Murça Rally has attracted a compact but competitive field, with just seven entries, including Manuel Martins and Ivan Rana, rounding out the participant list.
Murça Rally details
The Murça Rally kicks off Saturday morning with three distinct stages. The longest stage spans 14.34 km, with two stages featuring three runs each, and one stage with two runs, totaling 90.60 km overall. With the championship on the line, the rally promises thrilling battles and heightened stakes, as this final event carries a 1.5-point coefficient, impacting both final classifications and individual stage wins.
