FIA Euro RX5: First historic victory for the Ligier XC04 cross car with Volland Racing and Tim Braumüller

The Ligier XC04 made a strong debut in the FIA European Rallycross Championship. In the opening round of the new RX5 category, held at the Biķernieki circuit in Latvia, on 9-10 May 2026, Tim Braumüller delivered a historic victory for Volland Racing and Ligier.

At the end of a particularly hard-fought final, the German driver claimed victory at the wheel of the Ligier XC04 and became the very first winner in the FIA Euro RX5 category.

The Ligier XC04 at the sharp end from the start of the weekend

From the opening sessions, Tim Braumüller established himself among the front-runners. In a new but already highly competitive category, the Volland Racing driver showed strong and consistent pace throughout the weekend.

After a closely contested qualifying phase, he confirmed his performance level in the semi-final. Finishing second in his race, he secured his place in the final and positioned himself among the contenders for victory.

A high-pressure final

The final got underway at a fast pace. In a particularly tight field, Tim Braumüller stayed close to the leaders and made the most of a decisive strategic choice to take the advantage.

At the wheel of the Ligier XC04, he also set the fastest race lap in 00:49.705. In the closing moments, the German driver held on to his lead and crossed the finish line as the winner, with nearly a one-second advantage over his closest rival.

This victory marks an important milestone for Ligier, Volland Racing and the FIA Euro RX5 championship: the Ligier XC04 becomes the first chassis to win in this new European category.

A successful launch for the Ligier XC04 in FIA Euro RX5

With this first victory in Latvia, the Ligier XC04 got its FIA Euro RX5 season off to a perfect start. Designed as a true stepping stone toward the highest levels of rallycross, the model confirmed its competitiveness and sporting potential from its first European appearance.

For Ligier, the arrival of FIA Euro RX5 also marks an important step in the evolution of the discipline toward a more structured and professional environment. With the Ligier XC04, the brand continues its commitment to the FIA rally pyramid and supports the development of a new generation of drivers and teams in rallycross.

To learn more about the Ligier XC04, CLICK HERE.

To learn more about the FIA Euro RX5 championship, CLICK HERE.