Perwein sets track record to win Marktl/Straden hillclimb

Herbert Perwein claimed overall victory at the 2026 Bergrallye Marktl/Straden hillclimb, establishing a new track record on the 1.3 km course in Austria. Driving a VW PR Golf 1 Turbo 4×4, the Salzburg-based driver set his first record in the opening race and improved it again in the decisive third run, securing a commanding win in favourable weather conditions.

The event, organised by Stella's Racing Team under race director Jimmy Kahr, drew 87 competitors and was completed efficiently, finishing shortly after 16:30 despite minor delays during practice sessions. Reinhold Taus of Styria finished second overall in a Subaru Impreza P4 Turbo, claiming first place in the Pf Class 1 category despite grappling with a drivetrain issue during the races. Thomas Nöst, also from Styria, rounded out the podium in third with a VW Polo 6 HCR, taking second in Pf Class 1.

Franz Kogler placed fourth overall with a newly prepared Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, securing third in Pf Class 1 in what he described as his biggest hillclimb success to date. Markus Binder completed the top five, just 0.96 seconds behind after two scored runs, winning Pf Class 2a in a Ford Escort Cosworth. Hannes Kaufmann finished sixth, a mere 0.2 seconds further back, taking Pf Class 2b honours in another Ford Escort Cosworth.

Further down the order, Rupert Schwaiger placed seventh in a Porsche 911 3.5 Bi-Turbo with fourth in Pf Class 1, while Peter Probhardt took eighth in a Mitsubishi Lancer WRC 05 Evo 3, finishing second in Pf Class 2a. Heiko Fiausch claimed ninth overall and victory in Pf Class 3b with an Opel Astra STW, and Patrick Mayer rounded out the top ten with a VW Golf 1 16V 2.0, winning Pf Class 4a.