Sanxenxo to Host Rallye de Pontevedra Base

Sanxenxo was confirmed this week as the base for the VIII Rallye de Pontevedra, putting the coastal town at the center of a June 5-7 motorsport event that organizers say has already drawn more than 140 entries. The presentation took place at the Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo, where Escudería Congostra Team and local officials outlined the format for the 2026 edition. The rally is the fourth points event in the Xunta de Galicia Rally Championship, according to the Federación Galega de Automobilismo. Organizers said the route will run through Sanxenxo, Cerdedo-Cotobade, Meaño, Barro, Moraña and Poio. ### Why is Sanxenxo back at the center of the rally? Sanxenxo was described by organizers and local officials as the event’s operational hub, with the town again serving as the base after doing so in the previous edition. Faro de Vigo reported on May 21 that Sanxenxo would once more be the “punto base” of the Rallye de Pontevedra, while the official rally site calls Sanxenxo the setting for the 2026 event. (farodevigo.es) The Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo hosted the official presentation on May 20, according to PontevedraViva and Diario de Arousa. Those reports said the venue was used to unveil the route, the format changes and the participation figures for this year’s race. ### What did organizers say about this year’s format? (farodevigo.es) Diana Rivas, identified by local reports as the rally director, said the organizers had reworked the event format for 2026. PontevedraViva quoted Rivas as saying, “Este ano quixémoslle dar unha volta á proba, cambiamos de formato,” and said the route would feature longer stages and fewer liaison sections. (pontevedraviva.com) La Voz de Galicia reported that the eighth edition will include more kilometers, fewer passes and a shakedown, or official test stage, in A Escusa. The official rally website says the event will feature six stages and 105 timed kilometers, while describing the Sanxenxo-Meaño section as the only stage unchanged from 2025. (pontevedraviva.com) ### How large is the field, and who is organizing it? Escudería Congostra Team is organizing the rally, according to Faro de Vigo, PontevedraViva and the official event website. Faro de Vigo said the event had already reached 140 registered participants, and Diario de Arousa reported that the field stood at more than 140 competitors at the time of the presentation. (lavozdegalicia.es) The Federación Galega de Automobilismo lists the Rally de Pontevedra 2026 as a June 5-7 event and the fourth scoring round of the Campionato Xunta de Galicia de Rallyes – Recalvi. That federation listing places the race within the regional championship calendar rather than as a standalone exhibition. ### Which places will the rally pass through? Faro de Vigo reported that the route will be contested across Sanxenxo, Cerdedo-Cotobade, Meaño, Barro, Moraña and Poio. (farodevigo.es) The official event website says the rally will bring together six stages, 105 timed kilometers and more than 140 teams in Sanxenxo. La Voz de Galicia said the route changes are one of the main differences from earlier editions, with organizers presenting a layout with more distance and new elements for competitors. (fga.es) PontevedraViva also reported that the event is being reshaped rather than repeated in the same format as before. (farodevigo.es) ### What happens next before the cars start? June 5, June 6 and June 7 are the scheduled rally dates listed by the Federación Galega de Automobilismo and the official event website. Congostra Team’s site says spectators, media and participants can use the event channels for information on registrations, accreditations and rally details ahead of the start in Sanxenxo. (fga.es) (lavozdegalicia.es)