What Is 2014 European Hill Climb Championship

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 European Hill Climb Championship was the 60th edition of the FIA-sanctioned hill climb series, featuring 10 rounds across Europe and won by Simone Faggioli driving a Norma M20 FC.

Key Facts

The 2014 championship consisted of 10 rounds across Europe from May to September
Simone Faggioli won his fourth consecutive title in 2014
Faggioli drove the Norma M20 FC, powered by a 2.3L turbocharged engine
The series was organized under the FIA European Hill Climb Championship regulations
The final round was held at Mount Kopaonik, Serbia, on September 21, 2014

Overview

The 2014 European Hill Climb Championship marked the 60th running of the FIA-sanctioned hill climb competition, continuing a long tradition of timed motorsport events held on closed public roads with steep gradients and tight corners. This season featured a competitive 10-round calendar spanning Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, drawing top drivers from across the continent.

Organized under FIA regulations, the championship emphasized precision driving, mechanical reliability, and rapid time improvements over multiple runs. The series was divided into multiple classes based on engine displacement and vehicle type, with the top-tier Group E1-Open category attracting the most powerful prototypes like the Norma and Osella machines.

10 official rounds were held between May and September, starting in France and ending in Serbia, covering diverse terrains and climates
Italian driver Simone Faggioli claimed the title, marking his fourth consecutive championship win from 2011 to 2014
Faggioli dominated the season, winning 8 out of 10 rounds and setting fastest times in nearly every event he entered
His car, the Norma M20 FC, featured a mid-mounted 2.3L turbocharged engine producing over 600 horsepower and a carbon-fiber chassis
The championship included events in France, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia, highlighting its pan-European reach

How It Works

The European Hill Climb Championship operates on a time-attack format where drivers complete one or more timed runs up a mountain road, with the lowest cumulative time determining the winner. Each event is structured over a weekend with practice, qualifying, and final runs, judged under strict FIA safety and technical regulations.

Time Trial Format: Each driver completes two timed runs, and the aggregate time determines final rankings; penalties are applied for course deviations
Vehicle Classes: Competitors are grouped into classes such as E1-Open, E2-SS, and E2-SC based on engine size and body type to ensure fair competition
FIA Regulations: All cars must comply with FIA safety standards, including roll cages, fire suppression, and seat harnesses, with technical inspections before each event
Scoring System: Points are awarded based on finishing position, with 25 points for first, scaling down to 1 point for 10th place
Championship Tiebreakers: In case of a points tie, the driver with more individual event wins is declared champion
Event Duration: Each round lasts three days, including setup, practice, and timed runs, with weather often impacting track conditions

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2014 championship compared to recent editions in terms of structure and competition:

Year	Number of Rounds	Champion	Winning Vehicle	Key Change
2014	10	Simone Faggioli	Norma M20 FC	Introduction of digital timing verification
2013	9	Simone Faggioli	Osella FA3/02	Expanded Eastern European participation
2012	9	Simone Faggioli	Osella FA3/02	Harmonized class rules with national championships
2011	8	Simone Faggioli	Osella FA3/02	Return of Slovenian and Croatian events
2010	7	Christian Merli	Osella PA21	Reduced calendar due to funding

The 2014 season represented a peak in both competitiveness and logistical scale, with the addition of the Serbian round expanding the championship’s reach. While previous years had seen fluctuations in the number of events, 2014 stabilized the format and attracted consistent manufacturer and driver entries, particularly from Italy and Central Europe.

Why It Matters

The 2014 European Hill Climb Championship was a pivotal moment in the sport’s modern era, showcasing technological innovation and driver excellence under extreme conditions. Its structure influenced national hill climb series and helped standardize safety and timing protocols across Europe.

The championship demonstrated the evolution of hill climb prototypes, with lightweight chassis and turbocharged engines setting new performance benchmarks
Simone Faggioli’s dominance highlighted the importance of driver consistency and technical preparation in time-based motorsports
The series promoted cross-border motorsport cooperation, with officials, teams, and fans traveling across multiple countries
It served as a testing ground for advanced aerodynamics and tire compounds later adapted in circuit racing
The FIA’s use of digital telemetry and GPS tracking in 2014 improved timing accuracy and anti-cheating enforcement
Increased media coverage and live timing helped boost fan engagement and attract sponsorship to niche motorsport disciplines

Overall, the 2014 season not only crowned a dominant champion but also reinforced the European Hill Climb Championship’s role in preserving historic motorsport traditions while embracing modern technology and safety standards.