Departures of note

Jesús López, widely known by his nickname 'Pijo', was a Galician motorsport driver from Ourense who built an extensive career competing across nearly every discipline of the sport. Over the years he took part in hillclimbs, rallies, rallysprint, rallymix and slalom events, becoming one of the most recognizable names in Galician motorsport.

A particularly iconic part of his career was tied to his Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, with which he competed for years in Galician competitions. The pairing of López and his Talbot was remembered by the Rallye Ourense Recalvi as one of the most mythical in Galician motorsport, and he was described as a tireless driver who competed in almost every motor discipline that existed.

López died at the age of 48 in August 2026 following a serious accident during the seventh edition of the Subida a Taboadela, a hillclimb event in Ourense counting toward the Galician Mountain Championship. His death prompted an outpouring of grief across the Galician motorsport community, with tributes from the Rallye Ourense Recalvi and the Deputación de Ourense.