by Stella Passegger
On May 8, 2026, a special moment was on the agenda for the Weasels: the Rollout of the JR26. After many months of planning, construction, manufacturing, and teamwork, the new race car was presented to the public for the first time.
Excitement was high when the doors of the Audimax opened at 6:00 p.m. The room quickly filled with numerous sponsors, family members, friends, and motorsport fans who got in the mood for the evening with coffee, cake, pizza, and a glass of sparkling wine.
Gradually, the rows in the Audimax filled up, and nothing stood in the way of the presentation. Johanna Steiner and Elisabeth Seiler guided the guests through the evening and prepared them step by step for the unveiling of the JR26.
A Rollout is not only the presentation of a new race car, but also a moment of appreciation. Throughout the evening, several long-standing supporters and partners of the team were welcomed on stage. Among them was Mag. Martin Payer, who opened the evening with words of appreciation for the Joanneum Racing Graz team.
The Institute for Vehicle Technology / Automotive Engineering was also represented on stage by FH-Prof. DI Dr. Kurt Steiner and DI (FH) DI Thomas Gerstorfer. As were representatives of the sponsors: Karl-Heinz Rinnerhofer from HILITECH and Ing. Gerald Resch for Resch GmbH Fertigungstechnik & Prototypenbau. Not to be forgotten, and greeted with great applause, was DI Michael Trzesniowsk, also known as “Papa-Weasel.” He likewise represented Pankl Racing Systems in the spotlight and shared personal experiences and memories of the early days of Joanneum Racing Graz.
The contributions of the guests made it clear how important strong partnerships are for a project like Joanneum Racing Graz. Behind every component, every test drive, and every further development stands not only the commitment of the students, but also the support of sponsors, companies, and FH JOANNEUM.
Before the JR26 took center stage, the team looked back once more on the previous season. And that review was impressive: Joanneum Racing Graz competed in 2025 at FS Easter, FS Netherlands, FS Austria, and FS Czech. Especially celebrated were the overall wins in Austria and the Czech Republic. In total, the Weasels achieved 13 podium finishes – five gold, seven silver, and one bronze. This placed the team second in the 2025 Formula Student Electric world ranking.
These successes showed impressively how much expertise, commitment, and team spirit are behind Joanneum Racing Graz.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived: the JR26. The new race car stands for many months of intensive work across a wide range of areas. And it is precisely this interdisciplinary collaboration that defines the team. Students from a wide variety of study programs contribute their skills, take responsibility, and work together toward one goal: developing a competitive race car that not only impresses technically, but also reflects the Weasels’ team spirit.
In addition to the unveiling of the JR26, the evening also offered space for exchange, conversation, and technical insights. During the Tech Talk, interested guests could learn more about the work on the car and then speak directly with team members. This made the Rollout not only a presentation, but also a meeting point for everyone who supports Joanneum Racing Graz, accompanies the team, or simply wants to experience motorsport at student elite level. But the evening did not end in the Audimax. After all the conversations had ended, all the food had been eaten, and the last drop from the glass had been drunk, the Weasels and their guests continued to the PPC for the official “Rollout Clubbing.” There, the celebration continued in a great atmosphere.
With the JR26, Joanneum Racing Graz is now starting a new season. After the strong successes of the previous year, expectations are high, but so is the team’s motivation. The motto of the evening summed up this attitude perfectly: “Never Stop Pushing.” The JR26 is therefore not only a new race car, but also a sign that the Weasels will continue to push their limits, learn from experience, and enter the upcoming competitions with full energy.
Never Stop Pushing!
