Motorsport news

Aggregated news from official channels of racing series, circuits and the motorsport community: race results, event announcements and coverage.

Marktl/Straden hillclimb set for decisive Bergrallyecup round
HCF·8 September
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.
Antoszewski clinches Porsche GT3 title at Spa; Sobczyk keeps GT4 hopes alive
RandR·8 September
Antoszewski clinches Porsche GT3 title at Spa; Sobczyk keeps GT4 hopes alive
Jan Antoszewski has secured the Porsche Sprint Challenge Deutschland GT3 championship with one round remaining after winning both races at the fifth event of the Porsche Sports Cup Deutschland at Spa-Francorchamps. The Polish driver's double victory, combined with strong performances from fellow countrymen, underlined a dominant weekend for the contingent at the 7,004-metre Belgian circuit. Antoszewski set the pace throughout qualifying, posting the fastest time overall at 2:22.039 seconds and backing it up with 2:22.799 seconds to claim pole position in GT3 for both sprints. In the first race, he built an immediate advantage and set the fastest lap of the day—2:24.254 seconds—on lap two, eventually crossing the line 9.171 seconds clear of Joel Hohmann. The second sprint proved similarly commanding; despite light drizzle and 17-degree conditions, Antoszewski led from start to finish, winning by 8.894 seconds over Hohmann. The seventh victory of his season in ten races mathematically confirmed his title with the season finale still to come at Hockenheimring on 3–4 October. Nikodem Sobczyk maintained his championship hopes in GT4, though he finished second in both races behind Rasmus Vendelbo. A first-lap error in race one cost Sobczyk the lead, and despite setting the fastest lap in class and closing to within 1.414 seconds, he could not find a way past the Dane. In the second sprint, Sobczyk briefly led after Vendelbo made an early mistake, but the Danish driver regained the position on the Kemmel Straight and held on by 4.332 seconds. Sobczyk's consistency—ten podiums in ten races, comprising one win, six second places and three thirds—keeps him in contention for the title heading into the finale, though he trails Vendelbo by 32.4 points in the overall standings. Michał Perel claimed both GT3 ProAm victories. Starting from second in each race, he quickly moved ahead of Josef Hrdlička in the opening sprint and controlled the class battle to finish fifth overall and 18.872 seconds clear in category. The second race saw a tighter contest; Perel led for most of the distance but Hrdlička moved ahead late on. Perel responded decisively in the final chicane, making contact as he reclaimed the position, and crossed the line just 0.177 seconds ahead—a margin that grew to 5.177 seconds after Hrdlička received a five-second penalty for track-limit violations. Piotr Szukalski scored two further podiums in GT4 ProAm, finishing third in race one (after receiving 45 seconds in penalties for track-limit breaches and a missed pit-lane pass) and second in race two, 0.527 seconds ahead of Daniel Reiter. From 2027, the Porsche Sports Cup Deutschland and Porsche Sprint Challenge Benelux will merge into a new international series, Porsche Sprint Challenge Germany, organised by Belgian outfit Prospeed. The new calendar will comprise five rounds at Nürburgring, Hockenheimring, Red Bull Ring, Spa-Francorchamps and Circuit Zandvoort, mostly within ADAC Racing Weekend packages. Each weekend will feature two 30-minute sprints plus an optional one-hour endurance race with mandatory pit stops and driver changes. The series will be open to Porsche 911 Cup cars (992.2 and earlier generations), all Porsche GT4 generations, and the new Porsche 911 Challenge. The 2026 season will be the final year of the current Porsche Sports Cup Deutschland format.
Fiore wins fifth Ucria hillclimb in Sicily
ilT·8 September
Fiore wins fifth Ucria hillclimb in Sicily
Silvio Fiore claimed victory at the fifth edition of the Città di Ucria hillclimb in Sicily, extending his recent run of success with a commanding performance in his Radical SR4 1150. The event, organised by ASD Ucria Racing, counted towards the Italian South Trophy, Sicilian Hillclimb Championship, AC Messina Social Championship, and Nebrodi Trophy. Fiore posted the best score of 157.36 points, set during the second run with a clean time of 2'37.36 and no penalties. The Biancavilla driver had encountered electrical issues during the opening run that forced him to retire, but a battery replacement allowed him to attack decisively on the second ascent. Gabriele Di Bartolo finished second in his Gloria B5 with 160.90 points, 3.54 adrift, while Giovanni Greco took third place in a Radical SR4 1600 on 164.55 points. Di Bartolo had touched a cone marker during the first run, which affected his momentum for the remainder of the event. The hillclimb attracted 102 entries with 94 starters, reflecting strong local support and the growing reputation of the Ucria Racing club's organisation. The event drew spectators throughout the weekend, with significant attendance during scrutineering and along the course itself, including many younger enthusiasts. Messina-based drivers Santi Leo and Giuseppe Bellini rounded out the top five in identical Radical SR4 1400cc machinery, while Antonino Di Matteo claimed sixth in a Gloria C8 1600cc. Category winners included Salvatore Giunta in E2SH, Alessio Truscello in Racing Start Plus, Mattia Tirintino in Group N, and Claudio Giamboi in Group A. In the women's classification, Angelica Giamboi prevailed in her Fiat X1/9, ahead of Rossella Pappalardo in a Fiat 500 and Alice Gammeri in a Renault Clio Williams N2000.
Fontana claims maiden rally victory at Casciana Terme
ilT·8 September
Fontana claims maiden rally victory at Casciana Terme
Matteo Fontana secured his first career rally win at the 44th Rally Casciana Terme, driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 alongside co-driver Alessandro Arnaboldi. The WRC3 defending champion and current series leader, competing for HMI team, topped the eight-stage event organised by Laserprom 015 and Squadra Corse Città di Pisa across roads in the province of Pisa. Fontana used the outing—valid for the Coppa Rally di Zona 7—to develop familiarity with the car on asphalt for the first time. Fontana moved to the lead during the third timed stage on Sunday, overtaking Claudio Arzà, who had controlled the opening two stages on Saturday evening. The battle intensified on the final day as Rudy Michelini, piloting a Skoda Fabia RS for P.A. Racing with Nicola Angilletta on notes, challenged Arzà's second-place position. Michelini prevailed to secure second overall despite competing with a lingering injury from August, while Arzà completed the podium in third. Fontana's international FIA priority meant he did not score in the Zona 7 classification, allowing Michelini to claim maximum points in that contest. The top five was rounded out by Lorenzo Sardelli in fourth on a Skoda Fabia RS and Daniele Silvestri in fifth, also in a Fabia RS. Further down the order, Filippo Puccetti and Mirko Luisotti finished seventh in a Skoda Fabia Evo on their first Casciana Terme appearance, while Mirco Straffi and Camilla Carini took eighth in a Ford Fiesta Rally3. Fabio Pinelli made his debut in a Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 but was hampered by front-end contact on the final stage, finishing ninth. In the historic rally category, Brunero Guarducci won the 3rd Historic Casciana Terme at the wheel of a BMW M3 with Emanuele Mischi navigating. The Pistoia driver finished ahead of Lio Tommi and Roberto Ricci in an Alfa Romeo 33, with Federico Scatena and Michele Benedetti third in a Peugeot 205 Rallye. A minute's silence was observed during the closing ceremony in respect of recent fatalities in Italian motorsport.
Albag and Ferrari win Imola 3-hour, lead Italian GT Endurance
ilT·8 September
Albag and Ferrari win Imola 3-hour, lead Italian GT Endurance
Guy Albag and Lorenzo Ferrari dominated the third round of the 2026 Italian GT Endurance Championship at Imola, steering their Mercedes-AMG GT3 for Antonelli Motorsport to victory in the 3-hour race. The pair controlled the race from the opening lap, resisting four safety car periods and multiple full-course yellow phases without surrendering the lead. The win elevated them to the top of the GT3 absolute standings with 56 points heading into the season finale. Albag made a decisive move at the start, passing pole-sitter Jordan Perel to take command immediately. The Antonelli Motorsport crew maintained composure through the race's disruptions, crossing the line at the 100-minute mark to secure bonus points and never relinquishing first place through the chequered flag. The victory marks a significant shift in championship momentum with one round remaining. Spirit of Racing claimed the GT3 Pro-Am class and second place overall with Braschi-Ponzio-Rackstraw in a Ferrari 296 GT3, mounting a strong recovery from fourth on the grid. Stablemates Duran-Perel finished third, just 1.625 seconds behind, after a recovery drive that saw them climb from fifth position. Cola-De La Iglesia-Denes in a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2 for Imperiale Racing took fifth overall and retained the Pro-Am class lead by six points. In the GT3 Am category, Ryndziewicz-Altoè-Altoè won with a Ferrari 296 GT3 for Kessel Racing, moving to the top of the provisional standings. The previous leaders, Cuhadaroglu-Fumanelli-Pulcini, were forced to retire early after a race incident. The GT Cup saw Galli-Ferrara mathematically clinch the 1st Division Am title with one round to spare, while Agoglia-Bucci-Cremona took the 1st Division Pro-Am victory and moved into the class lead. The championship will conclude at Mugello on 1 November, where Albag-Ferrari arrive as leaders but with the title still to be decided across all categories.