The rally community in northern Spain is in mourning after 20-year-old co-driver Soraya Barreiro Rodríguez lost her life during the 49th Rally Villa de Llanes in Asturias on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Barreiro, a native of Llanes, was competing alongside driver Germán Romano in a BMW 325i. According to reports from RTPA, the car left the road on the ninth stage near El Mazucu and caught fire. Romano was able to get out of the car and, according to reports, tried to help his co-driver. He was taken to hospital in Arriondas with burns. Barreiro was only in her second official competition.
What happened
Asturias’ regional emergency service said it received the call at 1:53 p.m. local time, reporting a car that had left the road and was on fire, with one occupant outside and one still inside. Firefighters and other emergency crews were sent to kilometre 14 of the LLN-7 road, on the stage between Llanes and Mere. At 2:09 p.m., the event’s own medical team confirmed that the co-driver had died. Firefighters had the fire out by 2:36 p.m.
The exact cause of the crash has not been confirmed.
Rally suspended as a mark of respect
Organizers Escudería Villa de Llanes stopped the rally straight away and then cancelled all of the remaining timed stages. They called it a decision taken as a sign of deep mourning and utmost respect, and said that at a time like this, sporting competition has no importance. The organizers sent their condolences and support to Barreiro’s family and friends.
Llanes mayor Enrique Riestra spoke for the town council, sending his deepest sympathy and love to Barreiro’s family, friends and everyone who knew her. He also sent support to Germán Romano, and to the whole rally family of competitors, teams, organizers, volunteers and fans. The mayor said Llanes is in mourning, and he ended his message with a short goodbye: “Rest in peace, Soraya.”
A painful reminder for Asturian motorsport
The Rally Villa de Llanes is one of the biggest events on the Asturian motorsport calendar. This is the second time in five years it has been struck by tragedy: two competitors lost their lives at the 2021 edition. As Russpain reports, Saturday’s crash has brought rally safety in Spain back into the spotlight.
Those questions will come in time. For now, the thoughts of everyone here at Backfire Racing are with Soraya’s family, her friends, Germán Romano, and the whole rally community in Llanes and across Asturias.
Sources: RTPA, EuroMotor, The Sun, Russpain.
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