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On August 30, 2026, the high-speed Slovenian track of Ilirska Bistrica took center stage for the FIA European Hill Climb Championship (EHC). At the penultimate round of the season, Europe’s elite drivers put on a thrilling show, battling for hundredths of a second in front of a massive crowd of motorsport fans. While a dominant French driver claimed the overall victory in Category 2 (open race cars), a practice crash by favorite Reto Meisel completely shook up the standings in Category 1 (touring cars).
Category 2 (Race Cars / Prototypes): Petit Unstoppable
In the premier class, Frenchman Kevin Petit celebrated a commanding overall victory, underpinning his absolute peak form. He was followed by top Eastern European drivers, with Igor Stefanovski causing a sensation after his recent step up to the top tier.
- 1st Place: Kevin Petit 🇫🇷 (France) – Nova Proto NP01
- 2nd Place: Petr Trnka 🇨🇿 (Czech Republic) – Nova Proto NP01-2 C
- 3rd Place: Igor Stefanovski 🇲🇰 (North Macedonia) – Nova Proto NP01
Category 1 (Closed Cars / Touring Cars): Taus Seizes the Opportunity
After Swiss championship dominator Reto Meisel was unable to start the race due to a crash during Saturday's practice session, the path was clear for a thrilling battle. Austria's Reinhold Taus seized the opportunity perfectly, celebrating a highly cheered touring car victory.
- 1st Place: Reinhold Taus 🇦🇹 (Austria) – Subaru Impreza P4 Turbo
- 2nd Place: Kevin Raith 🇦🇹 (Austria) – Porsche 992 GT3 Cup
- 3rd Place: Milovan Vesnić 🇷🇸 (Serbia) – Audi RS3 LMS
Following this spectacular weekend, the championship is now entering the home stretch before heading to the traditional season finale in Buzet, Croatia, this September.
In the European Hill Climb Championship overall standings, Croatia's Matija Jurisic leads the touring car category with 204 points, while Italy's "O'Play" leads the race car category with 187 points.
Ranking EHC Overall Ilirska Bistrica
The legendary hill climb in the Swiss Jura once again delivered pure action this year. On the lightning-fast track, Europe’s elite battled for every hundredth of a second. In the open sports car class, France’s Kevin Petit celebrated an emotional maiden victory. He relegated Spain’s Joseba Irarola Lanzagort to second place and the Czech Petr Trnka to third. The European Championship standings for touring cars (Category 1) were dominated by the experienced Swiss driver Reto Meisel. Behind the Mercedes driver, Nicolas Werver from France took second place. The third place on the championship podium was secured by the Swiss driver Roger Schnellmann. It was an all-round successful motorsport festival that fully lived up to its reputation as a European hillclimb classic.
Ranking EHC Overall Les Rangiers
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:
- Joseba Iraola Lanzagorta (Spain) – Nova NP01
- Petr Trnka (Czech Republic) – Nova Proto NP01-2 C
- 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:
- Szymon Piękoś (Poland) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo
- Karol Krupa (Poland) – Skoda Fabia CT
- 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.
At the 65th Coppa Paolino Teodori in Ascoli Piceno on 28 June 2026, Christian Merli (Italy, Nova Proto NP01) won the sports car class, narrowly ahead of Joseba Iraola Lanzagorta (Spain, NP01-Emap-Turbo) and Kevin Petit (France, NP01-Emap-Turbo). The Touring Car Category 1 was won by the Swiss driver Reto Meisel in a Mercedes SLK340 Judd, ahead of Lucio Perrugini (Italy, Ferrari 296), with Meisel securing victory despite challenging conditions.
Ranking EHC Overall Ascoli
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.
- Christian Merli (Italy) – Nova Proto NP01
- Joseba Iraola Lanzagorta (Spain) – Nova Proto NP01
- 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):
- Reto Meisel (Switzerland) – Mercedes-Benz SLK 340 Judd
- Thomas Strasser (Austria) – VW Minichberger Corrado R Turbo
- 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.
Ranking EHC Overall Glasbachrennen
2026 FIA approved
The following ten events are scheduled in the 2026 calendar and approved by the organisers:
| Date | Race Track | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 25 - 26 April 2026 | Hill Climb Rechberg | Austria |
| 09 - 10 May 2026 | Subida al Fito | Spain |
| 16 - 17 May 2026 | Rampa International da Falperra | Portugal |
| 06 - 07 June 2026 | Ecce Homo Sternberk | Czech Republic |
| 13 - 14 June 2026 | Internationales Glasbachrennen | Deutschland |
| 27 - 28 June 2026 | Coppa Paolini Teodori | Italy |
| 18 - 19 July 2026 | Hill Climb Limanowa | Poland |
| 15 - 16 August 2026 | Course de côte St. Ursanne - Les Rangiers | Switzerland |
| 29 - 30 August 2026 | GHD Ilirska Bistrica | Slovenia |
| 19 - 20 September 2026 | Buzetski Dani | Croatia |
The organiser reserves the right to modify unilaterally the calendar in case of necessity.