I’m not even sure where to begin. I’m still recovering from a weekend filled with very little sleep, an overwhelming number of incredible cars, nonstop action from start to finish, and relentless heat.
That’s Ultrace 2026 in a nutshell. Yet somehow, year after year, the team behind the event continues to raise the bar, delivering a show that’s somehow even bigger and better than the last.
Ultrace 2026 in Gdańsk, Poland, was a spectacle to remember. Thousands of cars descended on the Polsat Plus Arena for a weekend that has become the highlight of the summer calendar for enthusiasts from across Europe, and for yours truly, it was no exception.
With a layout almost identical to Ultrace’s previous venue, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. Even so, that familiar sense of being overwhelmed set in almost immediately.
I say that because each car at Ultrace deserves your attention. From slammed BMW E30s and bagged Ferrari 360 Modenas to Nissan Skyline R34 GT-Rs, every build was packed with thoughtful details, making it impossible not to circle back for another look.
While Ultrace has its roots in the stance scene, the event has gradually broadened its horizons, bringing everything from historic race cars to hypercars and prototypes into the mix. As it turned out, my favorite car of the weekend came from the latter category.
Outside the Koenigsegg booth was a wall that read 143BPM. Inside was a one-off Lotec C1000 hypercar built by German tuner Lotec and Mercedes in 1995. Seeing it inside this red room was such a cool experience that I found myself staring at it longer than I should have. But it wasn’t the only Lotec car on display.
The Lotec Sirius was there too, marking the first time both cars had been displayed together. I probably should’ve taken more photos of it, but I’ll leave that part of the adventure to you and the depths of the internet.
Legendary race cars were scattered throughout the venue. Rennmeister returned with a selection of Jägermeister-liveried machines, and the Loh Collection brought the only surviving Mercedes-Benz CLR from the infamous 1999 Le Mans campaign. My personal highlight was the Sauber-Mercedes C11 prototype.
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, my inner 14-year-old self completely lost it as the legendary BMW E46 GTR in its Need for Speed: Most Wanted livery rolled off the transporter. For many, it’s the most iconic video game car of all time.
Of course, manufacturers and aftermarket brands brought plenty to the table as well.
CSF arrived with six cars, the standout for me being the V8 GT3-powered BMW 1M Coupé. Forget OEM+, this thing is OEM MAX.
The Porsche 992.1 Carrera S, complete with a rear bumper delete, also gave visitors a rare glimpse at CSF’s cooling package in action—something Porsche usually does its best to keep hidden.
The Toyota GR Yaris showcased just how good the platform can look with a tasteful OEM+ approach, complete with ADRO aero upgrades. Next to it sat a white Audi that’s still very much a work in progress. With CSF parts on the way, keep an eye out for a full feature from Mario in the coming months.
On the topic of ADRO, they had a strong presence of their own, with a handful of builds we’ll be taking a closer look at shortly.
One thing Ultrace has consistently delivered over the years is an incredible lineup of international builds, and this year was no different. Ruffian Cars, Oilstainlab, Madlane, and Garage Active are just a few of the renowned names that made the trip to Poland with some truly exceptional cars.
My personal favorite was the Half11, which looks like something straight out of an AI prompt. I will take a deep dive into that one very soon.
Kazushige Sakamoto and the team at Garage Active have become familiar faces at Ultrace, and this year they returned with their carbon fiber Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R. It was one of the most talked-about cars of the weekend, and by the end of it, it had claimed the event’s top prize.
The competition was fierce, too. This year’s Top 16 featured some of the best builds I’ve ever seen at Ultrace, making Garage Active’s overall victory all the more impressive.
Of course, Ultrace isn’t just about static displays.
I could spend hours talking about every build on display, but there’s one part of Ultrace I haven’t mentioned yet: the drifting. I only managed to spend a couple of hours trackside over the three-day weekend, simply because the heat was relentless. I’ve never experienced temperatures like it, and I can only imagine what it was like behind the wheel in a race suit and helmet.
As Europe endured one of its hottest weekends on record, Gdańsk was absolutely baking. Yet that didn’t stop the drivers from giving it everything they had, throwing around show-quality cars all weekend long.
Show cars weren’t the only machines shipped in from overseas. The crew at C’s Garage made the long journey from New Zealand with four drift cars, all running RAYS wheels. I spent some time checking them out over the weekend, so stay tuned for a closer look soon.
As I write this, almost half of the 2026 summer has already slipped by, but Ultrace is still fresh in my mind. The cars are unforgettable, but it’s the people that keep pulling me back. Some of the friendliest enthusiasts I’ve ever met are found here, and that’s reason enough to make the trip to Poland year after year.
The best part? The countdown to the next Ultrace has already begun. If the last few years are anything to go by, next year’s event will somehow raise the bar yet again.
