FIM-E 2025 Champions Review
Top Fuel Bike: Rickard Gustafsson

words and photos by Ivan Sansom and Rose Hughes

It was quite a year for Rikard Gustafsson and the RG Engineering Puma team, starting with the pre-season unveiling of a new look for the Falkenberg-based flying machine thanks to Indian Motorcycles coming on board as a major backer. On track, the FIM-E championship chase was more of a challenge as Gustafsson would miss the round in Germany as a result of an unfortunate calendar clash with the popular Mosten Raceday in Denmark. However, the Swede delivered a weekend spectacular performance at the Euro Finals in September to pick up the 2025 title with a bit to spare.

Sixth FIM-E Top Fuel Bike championship, your fourth in a row and setting track records – how does that make you feel?

“We had a really great season and we are happy that all hard work paid off!”

From the outside it looked pretty much plain sailing this season in comparison to previous years – was that really the case?

“Not really, I never worked so hard as this season even if we did not break anything. Not only racing the European Championship series (except Hockenheim) we also did Mantorp [track record and event win], Mosten [track record and retained the King of Mosten crown] and 3 exhibition events. We were always trying our best to perform at a top level.”

It must be difficult to pick out your season highlight, but your first 5.6 at the Euro Finals must be close? How did that leap forward in performance come about?

“Absolutely! The 5.63 run was one of the highlights this season, as was the whole Euro Finals meeting at Santa Pod, where we closed the FIM-E Championship, set a new European record and track record, and took the win of the race with a 5.65 run.

We have stepped up our program over the years, changing some parts, and with small steps, we have learned things and are trying to go quicker without hurting stuff. The latest upgrade on fuel system and manifold seems to work!”

What can we look forward to from RG Engineering next season?

“We will continue in the same direction, trying to make the bike quicker and even more reliable. We are aiming for to take another championship and break some more track records in 2026!”

Sponsors/People to thank?

“I would like to thank my team, all my sponsors, all the people who have been helping me to make this possible. We are also delighted and grateful for our cooperation with Indian Motorcycle this year and hope this will bring more high-profile companies looking to support our sport.”

2026 promises to be another landmark season for Gustafsson. If conditions prove favourable, we certainly wouldn’t rule out 5.5s before year’s end, coupled with the need for an extension to the trophy cabinet at the RG Engineering base close to the shores of the Kattegat.

To see the complete listing of FIM-E 2025 points, CLICK HERE. 

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