The countdown is on: 100 days until Latvia launches landmark season

Located on the outskirts of the city, the circuit is the country’s only permanent motor racing facility with a history dating back to the 1950s, when a temporary course was constructed within the surrounding forest.  Biķernieki joined the FIA World Rallycross Championship calendar for the first time in 2016, using a bespoke 1,295m layout created by Apex Circuit Design.

Incorporating sections of the asphalt race track, a long unsealed zone through the wooded infield and three jumps – two on the standard lap and one in the joker – its demanding nature made it an immediate hit amongst drivers and fans alike, with its combination of high-speed sections and technical features calling for commitment and precision in equal measure.

Motorsport legends Johan Kristoffersson, Mattias Ekström and Sébastien Loeb have all conquered Biķernieki’s formidable challenge to triumph in seasons gone by, with the circuit producing close, competitive action and no shortage of memorable battles over the years.

Local hero Jānis Baumanis famously thrilled the passionate crowd by producing a peerless performance to prevail on home soil in Euro RX1 in 2021, and the former Super1600 (now Euro RX3) champion has hinted at a potential competitive comeback on 9-10 May.

While the circuit layout remains unchanged since the series’ last visit, several sections of the track will be renewed ahead of the event. These upgrades are aimed at enhancing both the spectator experience and the sporting show.

“We’re incredibly proud to welcome the FIA European Rallycross Championship back to the iconic Biķernieki Circuit in Rīga,” commented event promoter, Jānis Bergs. “Rallycross has always had a strong following here in Latvia, and with the sport entering an exciting new phase, it feels like the perfect moment for Euro RX to return. 

“Fans can expect tight, hard-fought racing, a fantastic atmosphere and a venue that continues to evolve. This is more than just a race weekend – it’s a celebration of motorsport in Latvia, and we cannot wait to see the grandstands full and hear the engines roar once again.”

Not only will spectators be able to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the fire-breathing Euro RX1 beasts and get a glimpse of the rising stars of the sport in Euro RX3, but the advent of the Euro RX4 and Euro RX5 grassroots categories in 2026 heralds a bold new era for the dual-surface discipline. Balancing elite-level competition with greater accessibility for emerging talent, these new classes will add further depth to the race programme and deliver even more entertainment for racegoers.

Ticket information and the full event schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

Following the curtain-raising contest in Rīga, the season will stop off at Nyirád in Hungary (30-31 May), Höljes in Sweden (4-5 July), Mondello Park in Ireland (18-19 July) and Lohéac in France (29-30 August) prior to concluding at Lousada in Portugal over the weekend of 12-13 September.