First run in 1977 the rally was quickly popular for its location and climate as well as the Canary Islands reputation as a tourist destination.

So much so that despite its isolated location, over 100 kilometres from the coast of Western Sahara, it has since 1979 been a part of Spain's national championship and has been an international event since 1982 when it was first included in the European Rally Championship.

Spain's world champion, Carlos Sainz won the event in five consecutive years from 1985-1989 in a variety of cars.

Fellow Spaniards Jesús Puras and Luis Monzón have taken three wins as has Czech driver Jan Kopecký.

It returned to the West region in 2007 before shifting to the Rally Cup South permanently in 2008.