Timo Schulz wins 2026 European Junior Rally Championship

German driver Timo Schulz has secured the 2026 European Junior Rally Championship title. Driving an Opel Corsa Rally4 for the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team alongside co-driver Maresa Lade, Schulz clinched the championship during the season finale in Portugal.

The title race was an internal battle between two Opel drivers. Schulz’s main rival, Tom Heindrichs, suffered a mechanical failure during the Rally Six Cities North of Portugal when a stone damaged his engine and oil cooler. Although Heindrichs managed to restart the race and finished seventh in the Junior ERC category, the setback left him as the runner-up for the season.

Schulz’s victory marks the seventh Junior ERC title for the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team. In addition to the championship, Schulz also secured the ERC4 title and earned a prize to compete in the Junior WRC in 2027.