The entry lists for the upcoming opening round of the FIA European Rallycross Championship in Riga on 9 and 10 May have been published. The prestigious Euro RX1 class will see a field of 30 drivers – the highest number of entries for a season opener in the last ten years.
A total of 68 drivers have registered for the race in Latvia. They will compete in the Euro RX1 and Euro RX3 classes, as well as in the newly created Euro RX4 and Euro RX5 categories. In addition to the 30 RX1 stars, we will see 15 entries in the Euro RX3 class, 15 in the Euro RX5 class and eight in the Euro RX4 class. In total, 19 different nations will be represented, from Finland and France to Poland and Portugal.
Euro RX1: Champions and young talents meet
Eight-time world champion Johan Kristoffersson tops the main class list. The Swede, who is the most successful driver in the modern era of rallycross, has only competed in the European Championship (Euro RX) once since 2014. This time,
his goal is clear – to start the season on the top step of the podium.
However, the 37-year-old Swede will have to face strong competition. They include three-time European Champion Andreas Bakkerud, 2024 Euro RX1 title winner Patrick O'Donovan, fast Finn Juha Rytkönen, two-time French Supercar
champion Fabien Pailler, Kristoffersson’s teammate Ole Christian Veiby and local favourite Jānis Baumanis, who is guaranteed the biggest support from the home crowd.
Rising stars, Damian Litwinowicz, the 2025 vice-champion, as well as Joni Turpeinen, Andor Trepák, Martin Enlund and Maiko Tamm, will also be in contention. Each guest is ready for a spectacular battle at the historic Biķernieki track, in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans.
Euro RX3: Competition for young aspirants
The Euro RX3 class will see promising young drivers taking to the start line. With an Audi driver winning the class every season since 2018, it’s only natural that the A1 line-up is particularly strong. The main favourites are last year’s runner-up, Lithuanian Rytis Gurklis,
Antiguan talent Nicolas Geleyns, experienced Czech driver Libor Teješ and young French talent Julien Meunier. However, some drivers have chosen a different technique to challenge the hitherto dominant German hatchbacks. Among them are Dylan Dufas in a newly-built Volkswagen Polo, last year’s Höljes (Sweden) star Markus Røsrud and multiple podium finisher Sámuel Kovács, who will compete in Škoda cars. Also of interest is long-time
European Championship participant Dominik Senegacnik, who will take to the track in an Alfa Romeo MiTo, a brand that has not been seen on the international rallycross scene since the end of 2018.
Euro RX4 and Euro RX5: The future of sport
Demonstrating the FIA’s commitment to the younger generation, the new Euro RX4 and Euro RX5 categories have already attracted a quality entry in their debut season. In the Euro RX4 class, representatives from five different countries will battle it out with Rally4 specification
cars from Renault, Peugeot and Ford. Two very strong Latvians will also take part: Latvian-Lithuanian rallycross champion 2025, Lenards Patriks Lepsis, as well as Ivo Gabrāns, Latvian autocross champion. The Euro RX5 class, on the other hand, complies with the FIA European "Cross
Car" championship technical specifications. We will see 15 promising newcomers with an average age of just 20 years, promising an exciting and unpredictable race. The young and talented Roberts Purmalis, who is only 16 years old, will be the youngest pilot on the start list with a special invitation – a wild card.
The FIA European Rallycross Championship round Euro RX of Latvia will take place on 9 and 10 May 2026. Its organisation in Latvia has become possible thanks to the support of Riga Municipality, Mission Latvia, Travel Latvia and the Road Traffic Safety Directorate.