Competing against a star-studded international field and an entry list of 150 cars in the FIA European Historic Rally Championship, the British crew showcased the pace of their iconic 1975 Lancia Stratos HF GR4 rally car across the two-day event on the asphalt stages around Girona, setting several front-running stage times.
Perez, with his regular co-driver Dale Bowen, made an immediate impact when the rally began, establishing himself among the leading runners from the opening evening stage SS1Santuari dels Àngels. He set the third fastest time in category and sixth overall in Pre 1992 class over the 9.8km test with a stage time of 7m.32s, immediately placing the Stratos firmly among the rally’s front runners.
However, the demanding nature of the Catalonian mountain roads soon tested the field. Monsoon conditions greeted the crews with about 60mm of rain, Perez coping with the Stratos doing some aquaplaning and keeping it on the road.
Perez again recorded top three stage times in class. He pushed on through the morning loop of stages, the pace continued keeping the British crew inside the overall top positions as the rally settled into its rhythm. On SS2, Els Àngels 1(15.67km) the Derbyshire duo took fastest times and maintain a commanding lead.
Afternoon saw SS5Els Àngels 2 (15.67km), a re-run of the morning’s stage saw them finish second, faster though than the morning session and continue this through SS6Santa Pellaia Curt 2 (9.86km) as well. They finished last stage SS7Salions - Sant Grau Curt 2(11.31km) second overall in class.
Despite the weather setback, the British pair regrouped overnight and returned determined to fight back on Saturday’s decisive stages. The weather conditions had turned better, and Perez was hoping for a good last day to the event.
The response was immediate. On SS8 Sant Miquel de Cladells 1 (8.91km) Perez returned to the front of the timesheets with the second-fastest stage time, beaten only by rally winner, ex WRC driver Jari-Matti Latvala.
Another strong run followed onSS9 Collsaplana 1 (14.88km), where Perez again pushed the Stratos hard through one of the rally’s most technical tests to set the fifth-fastest overall time and second in class on the stage, continuing his climb back up the leaderboard.
Perez and Bowen maintained that momentum through the remaining stages, consistently setting top three class times as they worked their way back into contention during the final leg.
By the time the rally returned to Girona finish, the Chesterfield crew had climbed back to sixth overall and second in class, an impressive recovery given the time lost earlier in the event and the strength of the competition.
Reflecting on the rally, Perez said the result felt particularly rewarding after the team’s fightback on the second day.
“It’s been a brilliant rally but definitely a challenging one,” he said.
“We showed straight away that the pace was there and the Stratos felt fantastic on the opening stages. Unfortunately, we lost some time with a small issue on Friday which dropped us down the order slightly, the weather conditions didn’t help as well,.
“But the team did a great job, and we came back strong on Saturday. The stages here are incredible – very fast, very technical – and you have to be fully committed everywhere.
“To finish sixth overall and second in class against this kind of field is a really good result for us and a great way to start the season.”
Bowen added that the atmosphere and competition at Costa Brava once again made it one of the standout events on the historic rally calendar.
“It’s such a special rally,” he said. “The stages are amazing and the fans here absolutely love the historic cars. The Stratos always gets a great reception and it’s a privilege to compete here.”