ULTRACE
brings together car enthusiasts from all over the world, showcasing spectacular custom builds alongside classic cars in mint condition, and offers a varied supporting programme featuring numerous highlights, from spectacular drifting action to the after-show party ‘Night Experience’. In 2026, the festival also took place in Germany for the first time. This made Ultrace 2026 the perfect stage for a special anniversary celebration: 40 YEARS BMW M3.
LOCATION: DÜSSELDORF.
LOCATION: DÜSSELDORF.
The Areal Böhler is a former industrial site on the outskirts of Düsseldorf and the venue for the German premiere of the Ultrace 2026. Spread across the entire site, all six generations of the BMW M3 were on display in pairs – one iconic road-legal version and one legendary racing version. In addition, M GmbH took exclusive use of the “Halle am Wasserturm”, an impressive venue with an industrial flair, where several special editions of the BMW M3 were on display. Furthermore, the Contemporary Clubhouse invited the community to linger.
HIGHLIGHTS AND PREMIERES.
HIGHLIGHTS AND PREMIERES.
But that’s not all: a series of exciting premieres took place at Ultrace. Firstly, BMW Lifestyle was using the petrolhead festival as a stage to unveil the new “PUMA x BMW M3 40th anniversary collection”. Secondly, two Friends of the Brand complemented each other in a perfect way for the occasion: BMW M collector Imran Arshad brought his self-built BMW M2 GTS F87, which was treated to a unique, hand-painted livery on site by automotive painter Rae Roberts. Last but not least, the Ultrace featured the ultimate DJ stage made by BMW M: The Ultimate Sound Machine is a live stage based on the BMW XM Label, complete with a DJ set-up, moving stage lights, underbody lighting and a powerful sound system from dBTechnologies.
DJ MIÓD and DJ Greku performed in Düsseldorf. Together with The Ultimate Sound Machine, their sets fused high performance and high fidelity in an unparalleled way.
ABOUT … ULTRACE.
ABOUT … ULTRACE.
What started over 15 years ago as a small-scale gathering for tuned cars in Wrocław, Poland, is now one of the most significant events in the custom car scene in Europe. International enthusiasts gather at Ultrace. Collectors exhibit automotive legends and vintage vehicles, whilst hobbyists – or rather, automotive artisans – showcase their self-modified versions of the most iconic vehicles. The selection is top-class; every year, around 1,000 vehicles take part, hand-picked from tens of thousands of entries worldwide.
This makes Ultrace a platform for the most extraordinary cars, for those who pour their energy and creativity into these cars, and for all the fans who support and drive forward this global automotive culture with their passion.
ABOUT … ULTRACE DRIFT SHOW.
ABOUT … ULTRACE DRIFT SHOW.
One of the undisputed highlights of Ultrace in Poland is the annual drift shows. Many drivers bring their home-built cars onto the track here, where passion and driving skill come together. At the drift show, top drivers and gifted self-taught enthusiasts share the tarmac in some of the most creative custom builts around. Every vehicle tells its own story.
* All article photos courtesy © Jasper Schwering / except title photo © by Leon Greiner
