EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP OVER40
GUBBIO SEPTEMBER 4-7 / 2025
The iconic Gubbio track in Italy, already host of two World Championships and several European Championships, welcomed the EFRA 40+ European Nitro Onroad Championships. A unique, technical, and fascinating circuit that once again delivered drama and excitement to everyone present.
In 1:10, there was a clear star of the weekend: Austria’s Gerhard Kandelhart and his IF15-2. The 2016 Champion stamped his authority by topping 4 out of 5 qualifying rounds to secure the TQ. Behind him, Switzerland’s Josua Rolli impressed with consistent speed, earning direct access to the final with starting number 4. Finland’s Sammy Pajalin, on the other hand, endured a more complicated path: inconsistent qualifying forced him into the semi-final, where he recovered to line up 7th on the grid for the 45-minute main.
Once the final got underway, Kandelhart immediately set a relentless and controlled pace, pulling away from the field. The revelation of the race was Pajalin: blisteringly fast, fighting through the pack, even surviving a flameout during refuelling, yet still holding on to finish second overall. Rolli, despite his strong start, ultimately had to settle for sixth place.
The final result underlined the dominance of our platform: a 1–2 finish for Infinity IF15-2, with Kandelhart and Pajalin locking out the top spots and Rolli placing sixth.
In 1:8, the spotlight shone on Switzerland’s Luca Martinelli. Supported by Toty and myself, he worked meticulously on the set-up of his Infinity IF18-3, earning direct access to the final with the number 3.
Italy’s Ferdinando Campagna faced a tougher weekend. Arriving at the track a few days late, he initially struggled to find the right balance, but also with the help from Dario, he improved steadily. Some mistakes in the semi-final denied him a direct ticket, but he redeemed himself with a commanding victory in the Last Chance, securing his place in the main event.
In the final, Martinelli proved just how strong the IF18-3 package was: fast pace, a perfect one-tyre-change strategy, and the speed to fight for victory. Unfortunately, a few on-track contacts cost him precious seconds, leaving him to finish third overall, behind Zugno and Iori but still right on the heels of the leaders. Campagna too showed flashes of speed with his IF18-3, further highlighting Infinity’s strength in the premier class.
This European Championship once again confirmed the extremely high level of competition, while also showing the solid performance of the Infinity platforms. In Gubbio, history was written once again on one of the world’s most iconic nitro onroad tracks.
On to the next one…
Carmine Raiola
