STORY
2019 - 2025
2019 – THE START OF OUR MOTORSPORT JOURNEY
Motorsport – and rallying in particular – has a long history in Austria. However, the golden era of Walter Röhrl and similar legends is over, and Austrian rallying has become noticeably quieter in recent years. We are determined to change that.
The foundation was laid with our victory in Racing Rookie 2018, the biggest talent search in Austrian motorsport, organised by Ford, Auto Revue and ÖAMTC Fahrtechnik. A total of 480 young girls and boys aged 16 to 21 took part – and only one could win. After several exciting challenges, Luca managed to take this crucial first step and won a Ford Fiesta ST Rally car.
With fresh energy, new ideas and the world’s very first ROOKIE Rally Team, we entered the Austrian Rally Championship for the first time in 2019. We joined mid-season, as most team members had to complete their final school exams (Matura) beforehand.
A 3rd and a 2nd place in our class standings quickly showed what we were capable of.
2020 SEASON – “BRAKED BEFORE WE COULD START”
For 2020, our goal was to compete in the full Austrian Rally Championship. Unfortunately, after a promising 1st place in the Junior category and a top 2 position among the two-wheel-drive cars, we were unexpectedly forced to stop.
Due to Covid-19, all rounds of the Austrian Championship were cancelled, and our Fiesta had to stay in the garage.
One additional highlight was an event in Slovenia in autumn, driving a Ford Fiesta Rally4. Competing in an international field, we were able to demonstrate our performance with strong pace and fast stage times.
2021 – “WE’RE BACK”
After further cancellations at the beginning of the season, rallying in Austria finally resumed from mid-year onwards. With three consecutive victories, we secured the annual title in the ORC 2000 classification at Rallye W4.
Following this success, we began planning a national and international season for 2022. However, due to the technical advantage of Rally4 cars, it became increasingly difficult to move further up the field. This led us to start looking for a new and more competitive “tool for the job”.
2022 – “EVERYTHING CHANGED”
The season planning was already complete and the first sponsor meetings for 2022 had taken place when Luca was forced to pause due to myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle). For health reasons, we had to put all further plans on hold.
As fate would have it, Manfred Stohl (Rally World Champion in 2000) contacted Luca while he was still in hospital:
“Why aren’t you on any start lists? What’s going on?”
Manfred Stohl then made Luca an offer he could not refuse: a full-season contract for 2022 in the international, fully electric ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup.
Just three days after completing all fitness and medical tests and receiving full medical clearance, Luca started this new challenge.
Luca was not fully satisfied with 5th place overall in the Cup standings, but he proved his commitment and competitiveness with impressive stage times. Immediately after the final round, Stohl Racing extended Luca’s contract.
2023 – “FULL ATTACK”
After the contract extension, it was no surprise that Luca would compete in eight international rounds in the Opel Corsa e-Cup during the 2023 season. What made the year even more interesting was that Luca would also compete in the Austrian Rally Championship in parallel.
Even more notable was the team’s approach, which could not be more refreshing – under the motto:
“YOUNG PEOPLE WORKING FOR THE FUTURE”
Thanks to the support commitment from Raytech Automotive, the idea became reality: involving students aged 16–18 from HTL Mödling (Automotive Engineering Department) as engineers and technicians to support the race car operations.
The project is supported and accompanied by mentors and professionals from the motorsport scene. The RayBat Racing Team was founded and Europe’s largest school became part of the motorsport project.
2024 – Luca and Christina on the Road to Success
For 2024, Luca and his co-driver Christina Ettel set a clearly defined sporting goal: winning the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup.
This success was intended to secure the step up into an Opel Corsa Rally4 and therefore participation in the Junior European Championship, ideally in an official Opel Motorsport works cockpit.
The route to the goal: first steps in the Opel Corsa Rally4
The ambition to already compete in additional rounds with the Opel Corsa Rally4 during the season was strong. Luca aimed to gain valuable experience early to be fully prepared for the following year. However, this required additional sponsors to support this ambitious plan.
More than motorsport: “Young People Working for the Future”
Not only did Luca continue to develop sportingly – the project “Young People Working for the Future”, in cooperation with HTL Mödling, entered its next stage.
For each rally, two students were taken along after being prepared during a training day at Abocar. These students were given the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and actively support the team.
2025 – New Challenges & a Dream Comes True
Pröglhöf Racing started the new season full of energy!
After securing the championship title early in 2024, it was confirmed: Luca Pröglhöf and co-driver Christina Ettel would compete in 2025 as works drivers for the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team in the JERC Junior European Rally Championship – the main prize of the international electric racing series.
In addition, Luca became Opel’s official test driver, contributing to the development of new vehicles.
The key objective for Luca in the 2025 season is to succeed in the Junior European Championship and to gain valuable international experience.
With the Opel Corsa Rally4, the focus is on adapting quickly to the new car, being competitive on different surfaces, and proving himself against strong international competition – in particular the gravel-experienced Scandinavian drivers.
In the long run, the 2025 season is intended to be an important step towards a successful international rally career.