Paraguay's Diego Domínguez Wins WRC2 Rally on Home Soil

A dream became reality for Diego Domínguez Bejarano on August 30 when he crossed the finish line as the first Paraguayan to win a WRC2 rally on home turf. The 2026 Rally of Paraguay victory represents not just a personal milestone, but a historic achievement for an entire nation.

Domínguez and his Spanish co-driver Rogelio Peñate dominated the challenging red-earth stages in Itapúa, with thousands of local fans lining the routes to cheer them on. The final Power Stage on Sunday drew the biggest crowds, with family, friends, and supporters erupting in celebration as the hometown hero secured the win.

"The dream of my life, Rogelio's dream, the team's dream and the dream of an entire country," an emotional Domínguez said after the race. "I have no words, only gratitude and pride in being Paraguayan and living in a country that breathes and lives for this passion."

The victory is even sweeter given Domínguez's journey to the top. He won the WRC3 category in Chile in 2024, but this WRC2 triumph represents a step up to a more competitive class against tougher competition.

The Paraguayan duo didn't just win their category. They also finished seventh overall in the entire rally, competing against the fastest Rally1 cars and drivers in the world.

The Ripple Effect

Domínguez wasn't the only local hero celebrated that day. Fellow Paraguayans Alejandro Galanti and Marcelo Toyotoshi claimed third place in WRC2, putting two Paraguayan teams on the podium and finishing ninth overall in the rally.

The double podium finish transforms Paraguay from a hosting nation into a motorsport contender. Rally Paraguay only joined the World Rally Championship calendar last year, making it the second edition of the event.

For a small South American country, having drivers compete at this level inspires the next generation of racers. The passionate response from fans shows motorsport has deep roots in Paraguay, and now the country has homegrown champions to prove they belong on the world stage.

One victory can change everything for a sport in a nation, and August 30, 2026 may be remembered as the day Paraguayan motorsport truly arrived.