History 1990s

1996 Rallye de España – Catalunya (Spain)

Overview

Event Name: 1996 Rallye de España – Catalunya

Date: October 19–22, 1996

Host Country: Spain

Surface: Asphalt

Total Distance: 509.00 km (competitive stages)

Championship: Round of the 1996 World Rally Championship

Held on the smooth roads of Catalonia, the 1996 Rallye de España provided a challenging series of twisty mountain stages. Local expertise and precise driving were key as Spanish star Jesús Puras delivered a memorable victory on home ground.


Route

Technical Hairpins: Demanding corner sequences in the hills surrounding Salou and Tarragona.
Smooth Asphalt: High grip levels rewarded clean lines and minimal sliding.
Elevation Changes: Repeated climbs and descents tested engine performance and braking balance.

Set in the Catalonian hills and coastal inland terrain, the stages featured:

While weather conditions remained mostly dry, shaded forest sections and evening runs added difficulty with inconsistent grip levels.


🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Jesús Puras & Marc Martí · Ford Escort RS Cosworth
2nd Place
Armin Schwarz & Manfred Hiemer · Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205
3rd Place
Oriol Gómez & Joan Josep Santamaria · Citroën ZX Kit Car

Puras’s victory was a triumph of local talent and technical mastery, bringing Spanish fans to their feet and elevating his status in the tarmac rally scene.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Pace Note Timing: Fast-changing corners and short straights demanded accurate and rapid co-driver communication.
  • Brake Management: Descents and hairpins required careful cooling and setup adjustments.
  • Home Crowd Pressure: Spanish drivers faced the added mental pressure of performing in front of passionate fans.

The 1996 Rallye de España emphasized technical execution, tarmac rhythm, and local advantage—resulting in a historic win for Jesús Puras and a celebration of Spanish rallying excellence.

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