Last Updated on September 13, 2026, at 8:07:20 p.m.
As always, the more than 120 riders at the starting line put on a great sporting spectacle: there was no shortage of passing moves, head-to-head battles, and even a few spectacular crashes—which, fortunately, always ended without any problems for the riders.
Maggiora Offroad Arena remains the home of European Autocross, with a history spanning nearly fifty years: in fact, the first European race was held there in 1978!
Let's take a closer look at how each category performed.
Super Buggy: Nikodém Rules the Track
In the Super Buggy class, the Czech driver Petr Nikodém lived up to expectations: behind the wheel of the CM Buggy/CM SB, he got off to a great start and maintained the lead throughout, completing the seven laps of the final in 5’03”638. Behind him was Dutch driver Mike Bartelen, in a Trackline/SuperBuggy, who finished second in 5’05”447 after an excellent race, while French driver Robert Theuil took the third spot on the podium in his Alfa Racing, finishing in 5’06”118. The top three were separated by just 2”480.
Worth noting is Dino Semenzato ’s (Rom Sport/01) excellent sixth-place finish, the best result for the Italian team this weekend in Maggiora.
With this victory, Nikodém extends his lead even further over Theuil, his closest competitor in the overall standings.
Buggy 1600: Novotný Ahead of Jaspers and Reding
In the Buggy 1600 class, Jakub Novotný of the Czech Republic took the win: driving his Alfa Racing/Hayabusa, he clocked a time of 5’20”330. Second place went to Dutch driver Styn Jaspers, in an Alfa Racing/Buggy1600, who finished in 5’21”672, while Luxembourg’s Kenny Reding, behind the wheel of his Peters Autosport/Peters 2026, rounded out the podium with a time of 5’26”545.
Mattia Grasselli, the only Italian in the final in this category who withdrew during the race, was placed eighth.
This victory is very important for Novotný, who is expected to take the lead in the overall standings, since the previous leader, France's Malone Feuillade, was forced to withdraw in the semifinals.
Junior Buggy: Czech Hat Trick
It was an all-Czech podium in the Junior Buggy class, where Martin Kolomý took the win behind the wheel of an Alfa Racing/Yamaha with a time of 5’27”210. Behind him was Eliška Plná, driving her Marat Engineering/Adel, who finished second in 5’28”579, just 1”369 behind the winner. Third place went to Ladislav Hanák, driving an Alfa Racing/Suzuki, who completed the seven laps in 5’29”342.
In the overall standings, Hanák has extended his lead by a few points over Luňák, who finished sixth in the final.
Cross Car: Gillouin Wins at Maggiora
Everyone was expecting a showdown between David Meat and his closest rival in the overall standings, reigning European champion Ivan Piña Chinchilla, but instead Yoann Gillouin emerged as the winner: The French driver, behind the wheel of his Rapace/X-Evo, got off to a great start and, above all, executed a textbook first turn, taking the lead and going on to win with a time of 5’19”721. Second place went to Spain’s Piña Chinchilla, driving his LifeLive/TN11, with a time of 5’21”960. Rounding out the podium was Meat himself, in his Speedcar/Wonder R, who finished third in 5’23”458.
The overall standings remain largely unchanged, with Meat in the lead ahead of Piña Chinchilla.
Overall, then, the Czech Republic was the standout performer with three victories—thanks to Nikodém and Novotný—as well as an all-Czech podium in the Junior Buggy class, while France claimed the win in the Cross Car class with Gillouin.
The next round of the FIA European Autocross Championship will take place on September 18–20 in Saint-Igny-de-Vers, France.
As for the Maggiora Offroad Arena, the next event will be the 4×4 Maggiora Experience on October 9, 10, and 11.