The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Iberian Cup has debuted this season in Spain with a total of 16 entries in the Rally da Auga Comarca de Ordes, which represents a new record in the one-make cup organized by Toyota Spain, Toyota Caetano Portugal and Motor & Sport Institute (MSi). 

The second event of the year of the TGR Iberian Cup started on Friday with the dispute of a show stage and the opening ceremony in Ordes, and the key day was Saturday, with 110 kilometers timed on gravel. Local driver Dani Berdomás (Breogán Group) took the lead in the first stage, setting the best time.

Behind, in a nice fight, were the two CSM Automoció drivers: Sergi Francolí and Bruno Bulacia. They were joined by Ricardo Costa (Macedo & Macedo GTW Racing), until he had a puncture in the third stage, which took him away from the leading positions. Manu Gascou and Alberto Monarri, who already felt more comfortable with the GR Yaris, completed the top five places. After the first four special stages of the morning, the five drivers were only 36 seconds apart.

Although the day started out sunny, rain made an appearance in the afternoon. Dani Berdomás (Breogán Group) continued to be unbeatable and Sergi Francolí (CSM Automoció), despite setting the best time in the sixth stage, dropped out of the fight for the victory as he had to add a 20-second penalty to his time, due to having entered late in a time control when leaving the assistance.

Bruno Bulacia (CSM Automoció) set the best time in the penultimate stage and was just 7 seconds behind Dani Berdomás before the last 14 kilometres of the rally. The Bolivian driver was looking for his first victory in the TGR Iberian Cup, but when he went off in a corner he lost all his chances and finally had to be satisfied with the second place on the podium. Francolí, despite trying to make up for the seconds lost due to the penalty against his teammate, this time he was third, which allowed him to continue as leader of the overall classification of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Iberian Cup.

Ricardo Costa (Macedo & Macedo GTW Racing) recovered from the puncture and, after a good end of the rally, finished the Rally da Auga Comarca de Ordes in fourth place, ahead of Alberto Monarri (IPPON Motor Vallés), who remained in the top five throughout the rally.

Jean-Michel Raoux (WINTech Competiçáo), with a constant pace throughout the day, finished in sixth place. Javi Villa, who gained momentum in what has been his fourth rally with the Toyota GR Yaris, moved up to seventh place with the fourth place scratch in the last stage, ahead of Pierre Lafay (CHL Sportauto), Miguel Campos, Pedro Lago (Toyota Caetano Auto), José Carlos Mulero (Labasa) and Albert Llovera (Grupo La Grajera).

Joan Sabater, who was driving a four-wheel drive car for the first time, and Isaac Vera closed the classification after repairing the damage on their cars after going off the road in the morning stages. The only withdrawal was that of Manu Gascou, who was in fourth place in the overall classification until he had some problems. Jonathan Rieu (WINTech Competiçáo), despite being registered for the race, was unable to start due to health problems.

Once again, the Toyota GR Yaris RZ Cup has proved its reliability and efficiency by placing three drivers of the TGR Iberian Cup among the top ten in the overall classification of the Rally da Auga Comarca de Ordes. It is worth highlighting the sixth absolute position achieved by Dani Berdomás, ahead of higher category models, such as the Rally2.

The next round of the TGR Iberian Cup will be held in Portugal, the Rally Terras de Aboboreira, on 29 and 30 April, also on gravel.

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