Hillclimb Fans

Voitsberg hillclimb set for competitive Austrian cup battle

19 August 2026

The Austrian Bergrallyecup resumes its summer break with the Voitsberg-Lobming event in western Styria, marking the start of the championship's decisive phase. The 1.6 km course is expected to deliver spectacular racing, with an exceptionally strong field of drivers competing across multiple classes.

Class 1 (Pf Klasse 1) will see Reinhold Taus leading the championship standings in his Subaru Impreza P4 Turbo as one of the main favourites. He faces stiff competition from hillclimb veteran Rupert Schwaiger, piloting a Porsche 911 3.5 Bi-Turbo, who impressed recently at the Austrian hillclimb nationals. Thomas Nöst brings a well-prepared VW Polo 6 HCR, while Karl Heinz Binder is working to have his Ford Sierra Cosworth RS ready. Franz Kogler will debut his newly built machine at the event.

Class 2a (Pf Klasse 2a) features Peter Probhardt in a Mitsubishi Lancer WRC 05 Evo 3 as a championship contender, alongside Felix Pailer in a Lancia Delta Integrale. Markus Binder (Ford Escort Cosworth), Reinhold Nauschnegg (Opel VMAX Calibra Turbo), Michael Storath (Lancia Delta Integrale), and Nico Winkler (Skoda Octavia Turbo Evo 3) are also entered.

Class 2b (Pf Klasse 2b) sees Hannes Kaufmann (Ford Escort Cosworth) as a favourite, challenged by championship leader Stefan Wiedenhofer in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. Dietmar Lustig-Jungwirth (Ford Escort Cosworth RS03), Andreas Miletich (VW Scirocco Type S, making his cup debut), Erwin Heidenbauer (Seat Leon Cupra TCR), and Roland Wurm (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) complete the field.

Class 3a (Pf Klasse 3a) includes Diethard Sternad (Honda Civic FK7 TCR), fresh from strong Austrian nationals performances, Kevin Reiß (Mercedes Benz 190 Evo 1 Turbo), Stella Ochabauer (VW Corrado Turbo), and local driver Martin Ranner (VW Golf 1 16V) making his debut.

Class 3b (Pf Klasse 3b) is led by Heiko Fiausch (Opel Astra STW), one of only two drivers to win every round so far. Karlheinz Stranner (Ford Escort Cosworth), Markus Gruber (Skoda Fabia Evo 2), and Severin Gschiel (VW Golf 1 16V) are among the contenders. Christian Biesinger debuts his newly built Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, while Stefan Karl (VW Golf 4 GTI), Kristin Gschiel (Audi A4 B5 Quattro), Rudolf Windbacher (Honda Civic EG6/K20, competing at his home event), Manfred Liendl (Ford Escort Turbo), and Christoph Rappold (BMW E36 M3) are also entered.

Class 4a (Pf Klasse 4a) features Patrick Mayer (VW Golf 1 16V 2.0) as a leading contender, with Dieter Holzer (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) and Mario Papst (Subaru Impreza GT) among the challengers.