The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Iberian Cup, one of the most exciting single-brand cups of the rally scene given its high competitiveness, returns this weekend (3 and 4 November) with the Rally La Nucía-Mediterráneo Trofeo Costa Blanca. It will be the last event of the season for the Toyota GR Yaris RZ Cup on asphalt and the second to last of the championship, where two drivers are tied on points at the top of the classification.

Sergi Francolí (CSM Automoció), who abandoned in the Vidreiro Rally, the last event held in Portugal, lost the lead to Dani Berdomás (Breogán Group), who took a victory that put him at the top of the overall classification. Although both drivers are tied (103 points), the Galician is in first place with three victories, and Francolí is in second place with two victories. Both are favourites to win again, although their rivals will not make it easy for them.

Bruno Bulacia (CSM Automoció), third in the overall classification and who also abandoned in the Vidreiro Rally, is one of the drivers who has managed to climb to the top in a race this year and, despite being 17 points behind the leader, he still has mathematical options to fight for the title in the single-brand cup organized by Toyota Spain, Toyota Caetano Portugal and MSI. At least, he has already secured the first place in the Junior category (under 24 years of age).

Alberto Monarri (IPPON Motor Vallés), one of the most regular drivers of the season and one of the most experienced in the TGR Iberian Cup, ranks fifth in the overall classification (74 points). The driver from Madrid could surpass Ricardo Costa (Macedo & Macedo GTW Racing), who has not entered this race and from whom he is three points apart.

Javi Villa (Asturhíbrido), who is enjoying a season on an upward trend, is in sixth position (67 points) following a second-place result in his last race. The Asturian will be one of the contenders for the podium in La Nucia, as he has proven to be the most competitive on this surface, due to his experience in the Spanish Hillclimb Championship, where he has won the title on nine occasions.

Pedro Lago (Toyota Caetano Auto), who also scored important points for the overall classification after finishing fifth in the last rally, will be the only Portuguese representative, in the absence of Costa and Miguel Campos (Macedo & Macedo GTW Racing), who suffered a serious accident in Vidreiro.

José Carlos Mulero (Labasa), Joan Sabater (CSM Automoció) and Antonio Sainz (KOBE Motor), the brother of two-time world rally champion Carlos Sainz, return to repeat in the entry list, as well as Albert Llovera (Grupo La Grajera) and Pierre Lafay (CHL Sportauto), who were absent in Portugal.

The Rally La Nucia will hold the ceremonial start on Thursday. On Friday 3 and Saturday 4 the 12 scheduled stages will be disputed, totaling a timed distance of 151.45 km. This event scores for the Spanish Rally Superchampionship and has Jos Verstappen among its participants. The father of the newly crowned Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen competes in the highest category of the event with a Rally2, a category in which Toyota will be entering next year.

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing drivers will follow a first aid course this Thursday to further increase rally safety. Also, on Thursday the participating teams will donate food to an NGO as part of the event.