Welcome

Over the past weekend (19 July 2026), the legendary Limanowa Hill Climb once again drew Europe’s elite drivers to Poland for the seventh round of the FIA European Hill Climb Championship (FIA EHC). On the extremely demanding 5.4-kilometre track, the competitors delivered spectacular battles against the clock under challenging and changeable weather conditions.

In Category 2, the duel for the overall victory reached a dramatic climax. Ultimately, Spain's Joseba Iraola Lanzagorta triumphed with an outstanding performance behind the wheel of his Nova NP01, securing the top step of the podium. Just a blink of an eye behind him came Czech driver Petr Trnka, who launched an aggressive pursuit in his Nova Proto NP01-2 C. The open-wheel podium was completed by Frenchman Kevin Petit, also driving a Nova Proto NP01. The top 3 in Category 2 at a glance:

1. Joseba Iraola Lanzagorta (Spain) – Nova NP01
2. Petr Trnka (Czech Republic) – Nova Proto NP01-2 C
3. Kevin Petit (France) – Nova Proto NP01

Category 1 also delivered high-class motorsport for the numerous fans lining the track. Polish local hero Szymon Piękoś made perfect use of his track knowledge, piloting his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo to a well-deserved victory. He was closely followed in second place by fellow countryman Karol Krupa (Poland), who delivered a characteristically strong performance in his spectacular Skoda Fabia CT. The final podium spot was secured by Swiss hill climb veteran Reto Meisel, who successfully steered for the first time a powerful Mitsubishi Lancer Evo to third place. The top 3 in Category 1 at a glance:

1. Szymon Piękoś (Poland) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo
2. Karol Krupa (Poland) – Skoda Fabia CT
3. Reto Meisel (Switzerland) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo

Following this thrilling race weekend, the European hill climb elite leaves Poland behind and looks forward to the next traditional highlight on the calendar: in mid-August, the championship will visit the Swiss classic in St. Ursanne – Les Rangiers.

From 12 to 14 June 2026, thousands of motorsport fans flocked to Germany’s longest and most modern hillclimb circuit to experience the fifth round of the FIA European Hillclimb Championship (EHC) up close. In changeable conditions that were extremely demanding for the drivers, the 135 drivers delivered top-class racing on the legendary, over 5-kilometre-long track up to the Rennsteig.

Category 2 (Racing Cars): Christian Merli remains the king of Glasbach

In the category for open racing cars and sports prototypes (Category 2), the reigning and multiple European champion secured an impressive victory. The close competition at the top of the prototype class produced some spectacular lap times.

The top three in the racing cars (Category 2): Merli underlined his exceptional status in European hillclimbing with a flawless performance and secured overall victory on the Thuringian tarmac.

1. Christian Merli (Italy) – Nova Proto NP01
2. Joseba Iraola Lanzagorta (Spain) – Nova Proto NP01
3. Kevin Petit (France) – Nova Proto NP01

Category 1 (Touring Cars): Swiss driver Reto Meisel triumphs in the premier touring car class

An equally thrilling spectacle unfolded in the high-calibre field of closed-top cars (Category 1). Fans witnessed a spectacular battle between the touring car giants.

The top three finishers in the touring cars (Category 1):

1. Reto Meisel (Switzerland) – Mercedes-Benz SLK 340 Judd
2. Thomas Strasser (Austria) – VW Minichberger Corrado R Turbo
3. Javier Villa García (Spain) – BRC 2056

Swiss veteran Reto Meisel celebrated a well-deserved overall touring car victory following a consistent and masterful driving performance.

The European Hillclimb Championship bids farewell to Germany and travels on to the next continental showdown: in two weeks’ time, the paddock will set up camp for the Coppa Paolino Teodori in Ascoli, Italy.

The day’s victory in Braga, Portugal, went to the Spaniard Joseba Iraola Lanzagorta, who finished 0.26 seconds ahead of the Czech Petr Trinka and 0.32 seconds ahead of Christian Merli (ITA). Kevin Petit (FRA) and Alexander Hin (GER) followed in the remaining places in the sports car category. In the touring car category, the Swiss driver Reto Meisel won in his Mercedes SLK340, setting a new track record, ahead of the two Spaniards Javier VILLA Garcia and Jose Antonio Lopez Fombona.