Marktl/Straden hillclimb set for decisive Bergrallyecup round
The penultimate round of the 2026 Bergrallyecup will take place at Marktl near Straden in southeastern Styria, with the 1.3 km course expected to deliver decisive moments in what has been a closely contested season. The challenging layout of the circuit promises competitive racing across multiple classes, while the organising team around Stella's Racing Team will also host a hillclimb slalom on Saturday using a shorter track variant.
In the overall title fight, Styrian driver Reinhold Taus emerges as one of the leading contenders, piloting his Subaru Impreza P4 Turbo. Taus arrives at the event with strong momentum following a dominant season and a recent victory at the European Championship round in Ilirska Bistrica, Slovenia. Among his chief rivals in the Pf Class 1 category will be Rupert Schwaiger, a Styrian hillclimb veteran, who will campaign a Porsche 911 3.5 Bi-Turbo. Thomas Nöst in a VW Polo 6 HCR and Franz Kogler in a newly prepared Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 are also expected to challenge for top positions, with Kogler seeking to build on an impressive debut in the car at Voitsberg. Karl Heinz Binder in a Ford Sierra Cosworth RS rounds out the strong field in this class.
In Pf Class 2a, Peter Probhardt will pilot his Mitsubishi Lancer WRC 05 Evo 3 in pursuit of another podium finish, while Felix Pailer brings a Lancia Delta Integrale to the grid. Markus Binder will compete in a Ford Escort Cosworth, known for his spectacular driving style, and Michael Storath from Bavaria returns with his Lancia Delta Integrale. Nico Winkler in a Skoda Octavia Turbo Evo 3 and Mario Eisner in a BMW E46 Coupe Turbo complete the entry list for this class.
Pf Class 2b promises close competition, with Hannes Kaufmann from Carinthia leading the charge in a Ford Escort Cosworth. Stefan Wiedenhofer in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 and Andreas Miletich in a VW Scirocco Type S are expected to mount strong challenges. Nico Haidenberger in a Lancia Delta Integrale, Roland Wurm and Erwin Heidenbauer in a Seat Leon Cupra TCR, plus Lukas Kicker in a BMW E36 325i Turbo and Rene Piuk in a Honda Civic SIR-S Turbo round out the field.
In Pf Class 3a, Herbert Perwein from Salzburg will be among the favourites in his VW PR Golf 1 Turbo 4×4, having recently won the European Championship round in Ilirska Bistrica. Diethard Sternad in a Honda Civic FK7 TCR, currently leading the class championship, will provide stiff opposition. Local driver Stella Ochabauer competes at her home event in a VW Corrado Turbo, while Kevin Reiß brings a Mercedes Benz 190 Evo 1 Turbo to the grid.
Pf Class 3b is expected to be dominated by Heiko Fiausch in an Opel Astra STW, who has led the class throughout the season. Karlheinz Stranner from Carinthia in a Ford Escort Cosworth, Markus Gruber in a Skoda Fabia Evo 2, and Stefan Karl in a VW Golf 4 GTI will challenge for positions. Christian Biesinger in a newly rebuilt Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 and Kristin Gschiel in an Audi A4 B5 Quattro are also entered, with Florian Feiertag making his Bergrallyecup debut in a Ford Escort Turbo.
In Pf Class 4a, Patrick Mayer from Lower Austria aims for another victory in his VW Golf 1 16V 2.0, while Dieter Holzer in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 will be among the contenders. The event will also feature additional classes with numerous competitors seeking strong results on the demanding 1.3 km course.