Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest
Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest

Registrations open for the CRG Rental...

Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest

Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest

In just over 10 days, many rental kart drivers have already registered for the Sprint Cup and several teams have signed up for the Endurance Cup, the two main events of the Rental Kart World Contest...
Registration now open for  30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix
Registration now open for  30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Registration now open for 30th annual...

Registration now open for 30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Registration now open for 30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Registration is now open for the 30th annual The Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest and most prestigious karting street race. This year’s race is August 30-31, 2025 and...
ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report
ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

One month after Jesolo, the ROK Cup Italy is back on track for the fifth round of the season, on the occasion of the "night event" in Lonato del Garda. In total, 262 drivers livened up the...
A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart
A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart

A brilliant start to the International...

A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart

A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart

Drivers in the colours of the Modena Kart team have become regulars on the podiums of the biggest events since the start of 2025, in the WSK Promotion series as well as the ACI Karting Italian...
Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record
Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record

Carr drives towards glory as KZ King...

Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record

Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record

Liam Carr is knocking on the door of a maiden KA2 Junior SP Tools Australian Kart Championship after an immaculate weekend in Newcastle, while double KZ2 Champion, Troy Loeskow, recorded a...
A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO Challenge 2025’ initiative
A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO Challenge 2025’ initiative

A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO...

A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO Challenge 2025’ initiative

A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO Challenge 2025’ initiative

As part of their 2025 ‘ACO Challenge’, Team WRT continues its commitment to meaningful, human-driven initiatives. After winning the 2024 ACO ‘Coup de Cœur’ Award for its...
Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two
Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two

Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart...

Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two

Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two

Jac Preston has taken his first ever SP Tools Australian Kart Championship round win in KZ2 at Murray Bridge, South Australia, while Ky Burke broached the top step of the podium in KA2 for the first...
Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo
Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo

Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with...

Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo

Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo

The ROK Cup Italy continues its seasonal journey with the second round held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo (PV). Almost 200 are the attendants in the seven categories competing, in a...
IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition
IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

IPK strengthens its presence in...

IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

Since its creation in 2010, the IPK factory has rapidly established itself as one of the leading companies in the global karting market, thanks to its innovative technology and the quality of the...
Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne
Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as...

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne

Young Queenslander, Cooper Folley has stunned the field in his first KA2 Junior round at the opening SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol event sweeping to the win at the...
Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy
Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Great weekend for Kalì Kart colours at the 36th Margutti Trophy that took place this weekend in Lonato. In the OK Junior category, Ilia Berezkin dominated the OK Junior by winning all 3 qualifying...
Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener
Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

Italian Champion to line up in...

Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

Italian Champion Moritz Ebner is set to make his Australian debut at the opening round of the 2025 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol in Melbourne next weekend (March 28-30).
Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne
Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Stars of Karting take centre stage in...

Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Melbourne’s Grand Prix week started off with a bang with the Stars of Karting Event at Port Melbourne’s Todd Road facility on Monday. The short and sharp format saw qualifying followed up...
Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit
Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit

Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double...

Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit

Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit

The first event of the 2025 ProKart Challenge program was held on the February 28-March 2 weekend at the new K1 Circuit. The Winchester, California facility welcomed the Superkarts! USA regional...
Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy
Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025...

Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

Karting Australia is proud to announce that Annabel Kennedy (Brisbane, QLD) and Hamish Campbell (Gold Coast, QLD) have been selected to represent the nation in the 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy...
WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026
WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026

WKA Realigns National Road Racing...

WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026

WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026

With a very busy Road Racing Calendar and events so close to each other throughout the year, racers have expressed their concerns that some events are simply not feasible to attend.  Responding...
2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga
2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury...

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

Karting Australia can confirm that the 2025 Rotax National Cup will be hosted at Albury Wodonga Kart Racing Club on September 13-14.
Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne
Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne

Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1...

Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne

Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne

More than 100 of Australia’s top kart racers will take centre stage at the Go-Kart Club of Victoria on Monday, March 10, as the Stars of Karting event launches "Race Week" for the...
2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon
2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the...

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

Fresh off a record setting campaign in Florida, the Superkarts! USA organization is turning its focus on the 2025 SKUSA Pro Tour. Set for its 16th straight season, the championship will again be...
Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!
Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the...

Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

Back in 1978, The Blues Brothers took the world by storm with a skit on Saturday Night Live. A movie followed in 1980, then a sequel and some albums as Dan Aykroyd (Elwood) and John Belushi (Joliet...

Red Bull Junior Team driver Jüri Vips with KIC

Red Bull Junior Team driver Jüri Vips with KIC Read more

KIC Motorsport signed Estonian Red Bull junior program driver Jüri Vips - All three KIC Motorsport drivers in excellent pace at test days in Imola

Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix kart races cancelled for 2020

Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix kart races cancelled for 2020 Read more

ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS — With the uncertainty of when the state will reach Phase 5 of Restore Illinois, and with a strong commitment to the health and safety of the racers, volunteers, staff and spectators, the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race, has announced that this year’ Labor Day weekend event will not be held. Planning has already begun for 2021.

WKA Charlotte Karting Challenge Gets Underway This Weekend

WKA Charlotte Karting Challenge Gets Underway This Weekend Read more

With COVID-19 putting a hold on motorsports around the world for more than three months, it is finally time for the World Karting Association (WKA) to return back to the track. With the Charlotte Karting Challenge on the docket over the next two weekends, a return to the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway will kick off this weekend.

California ProKart Challenge returns to action in 2020

California ProKart Challenge returns to action in 2020 Read more

The ProKart Challenge returned trackside on June 12-14 with the second and third rounds contested on the kart track at the Willow Springs International Raceway. Racing for Superkarts! USA had been shut down since the March weekend of the SKUSA Pro Tour WinterNationals in New Orleans, but welcomed triple-digit numbers for each of the two rounds of regional racing program under almost-perfect weather conditions at in Rosamond, California. Attendees followed social distancing guidelines to help keep officials and competitors safe while enjoying the three-day event.

Racing siblings Bäckman once again part of the HMSG Customer Racing Junior Driver initiative

Racing siblings Bäckman once again part of the HMSG Customer Racing Junior Driver initiative Read more

Andreas and Jessica Bäckman have been selected by Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing to be part of their Junior Driver initiative that supports young racing drivers for the second year in a row. It feels super exciting to be one of the few chosen racing drivers for the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Junior Driver initiative once again, Andreas says.

BhaiTech announces Zdenek Chovanec for 2020 Italian F4 championship

BhaiTech announces Zdenek Chovanec for 2020 Italian F4 championship Read more

Zdenek Chovanec will join BhaiTech Racing for the 2020 Italian Formula 4 Championship. Born in 2004, Chovanec is making his series debut after entering the F4 UAE championship last winter. The young prospect will line-up alongside the already announced Sebastian Ogaard and Jesse Salmenautio.

 

Ferrari F1-star Charles Leclerc guest of the Leclerc by Lennox Racing Team + PHOTOS

Ferrari F1-star Charles Leclerc guest of the Leclerc by Lennox Racing Team + PHOTOS Read more

The resumption of racing is approaching also for Charles Leclerc by Lennox Racing Team, which has been engaged in test days at the South Garda Karting in Lonato for the last few weeks.

2020 BNL Karting Series Race Calendar

2020 BNL Karting Series Race Calendar Read more

The organisation of the BNL Karting Series is happy and proud to announce the new calendar for season 2020. “Recently we received good news from Karting Genk: Home of Champions. As from the 1st of July 2020 it is possible to race again on their circuit. Actually this means we will reboot racing on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of July.”

Parolin Racing South Africa eager to get back on track

Parolin Racing South Africa eager to get back on track Read more

The national lockdown in South Africa was recently downgraded to Level 3 which allowed for further restrictions to be lifted coming into effect on 1 June 2020, amongst others the return of kart testing at some circuits across South Africa.

Motorsport South Africa: COVID-19 communique

Motorsport South Africa: COVID-19 communique Read more

MSA is aware that the Regulations published on 28 May 2020 in the government gazette allow professional non-contact sport to continue under the published regulations “… as per directions issued by the Cabinet member responsible for sport….”. These directions are yet to be published.

Championships, ROK Superfinal Tickets and ROK the RIO Entry Packages on the Line in WKA Charlotte Events

Championships, ROK Superfinal Tickets and ROK the RIO Entry Packages on the Line in WKA Charlotte Events Read more

As part of the WKA Mid-Season Shootout, the competitors gaining the most cumulative points in Mini ROK, Junior ROK, Senior ROK and ROK Shifter after the Orlando, Florida, and two Charlotte, North Carolina events will receive ROK Cup Superfinal invitations. The rule that classes must average ten entries to receive these invitations has been removed ensuring that all class champions from these respective divisions will be headed to Italy as part of the WKA and ROK Cup USA partnership.

The first Karting Australia COVIDSafe Race Meeting is set for action

The first Karting Australia COVIDSafe Race Meeting is set for action Read more

The first Karting Australia COVIDSafe Race Meeting is set for action next Sunday. All of the NT Government requirements have been met in accordance with Karting Australia’s COVIDSafe Operational Procedures to ensure a safe environment for all attending.

STATEMENT from the Ministry of Sport of South-Africa

STATEMENT from the Ministry of Sport of South-Africa Read more

On Saturday 30th May 2020, the Honourable Minister Nathi Mthethwa announced details of the Directions for Sport, Arts and Culture under the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) to the media and public.

Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno! Sorrentino family: "We are taking the necessary precautions to restart our activities"

Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno! Sorrentino family: "We are taking the necessary precautions to restart our activities" Read more

At the foot of the Vesuvius volcano, the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno is a great venue for kart racing which has been regularly included in the FIA Karting Competition calendar for many years. Under the guidance of Giuseppe Sorrentino, both the site and the track are constantly being improved to the delight of the competitors, who often cite it as one of their favourite circuits.

VIDEO Crash Karting: pile-up in the exit of the pitlane! The karts stack on top of each other!

VIDEO Crash Karting: pile-up in the exit of the pitlane! The karts stack on top of each other! Read more

For some drivers, it is very difficult to keep their patience as we can see in the following video! Already at the exit of the pitlane, there is a huge pile-up! Even before the kart drivers left the pitlane for some track action, they collided. The karts stack on top of each other!

PF International Kart Circuit in Brandon (UK) will be re-open for testing 5th and 6th june

PF International Kart Circuit in Brandon (UK) will be re-open for testing 5th and 6th june Read more

PFI are happy to inform you that we will be re-open for testing beginning on the Friday 5th & Saturday 6th June! Following these dates, if everything goes well we will be open every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, but pre-booking will be required and we will only be running with limited numbers for TVKC Members only.

Covid-19 pandemic: the Arena 45 Grand Prix will take place in 2021

Covid-19 pandemic: the Arena 45 Grand Prix will take place in 2021 Read more

The worldwide development of the Covid-19 pandemic means we cannot envisage the 1st Arena 45 Grand Prix going ahead in good conditions as planned this year. Faced with uncertainty surrounding the possibility of organising an international competition this year, Didier André and his partners have wisely chosen to postpone their event until 2021.

Brad Jones Racing is set to launch a Junior Development Team in association with Tom Williamson Motorsport

Brad Jones Racing is set to launch a Junior Development Team in association with Tom Williamson Motorsport Read more

Brad Jones Racing is set to launch a Junior Development Team in association with Tom Williamson Motorsport to help guide the next generation of motorsport stars.

Karting Australia Webinars lead clubs back to the track

Karting Australia Webinars lead clubs back to the track Read more

Karting Australia is leading its affiliated Clubs back to the track as the world emerges from the COVID-19 Pandemic. Throughout this week, Karting Australia Chief Executive Officer Kelvin O’Reilly and Chief Operating Officer Lee Hanatschek have hosted four webinars alongside Sports Community’s Steve Pallas with Clubs across the country.

Kartstars Canada season start delayed – Covid 19 update

Kartstars Canada season start delayed – Covid 19 update Read more

As we continue to monitor issues surrounding COVID-19, we are faced with a very dynamic and ever-changing situation, both professionally and in our personal lives. As we follow the advice of our government and health officials regarding how to best deal with the current crisis, it is obvious that we will need to postpone our season-opening event.

First2223242527293031Last
Rotax Max Euro Trophy Open at Genk: Competitive racing and Grand Finals tickets awarded
Bas Kaligis
/ Categories: Rotax

Rotax Max Euro Trophy Open at Genk: Competitive racing and Grand Finals tickets awarded

Genk, Belgium – Karting Genk once again lived up to its slogan of being "The Home of Champions" where the winners of the first Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy Open were crowned on the 1,360-metre long track in Belgium from April 19th to 21st, 2019. Almost summerlike conditions made for perfect racing throughout the Easter weekend, welcomed by the 127 drivers from over 20 countries around the world who joined the international competition. The positive interest from afar was not by chance, as the RMC Euro Trophy Open provided an early season way to qualify for the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals in Sarno (ITA) in October this year. The winners of the Junior-, Senior- and DD2-classes could win one of the coveted invitational tickets. The best DD2 Masters driver was rewarded with free entry for the series in the RMC Euro Trophy 2019. So, it was no surprise that the three-day competition was thrilling until the chequered flag!

Juniors: Mike van Vugt prevails

Reigning Euro Trophy Junior Champion Mike van Vugt (JJ Racing) set the tone at the beginning of the weekend. The Dutchman drove the fastest time in qualifying by a time of 55.109 seconds and a lead of almost two-tenths of a second. The youngster repeated this pace in the following two heats, which he won convincingly to start on pole position for the first final on Sunday. Meanwhile, his compatriot Kris Haanen (Bouvin Power) obtained enough points to line up alongside the pole-sitter.

In the first final, the tide turned for Mike van Vugt. In the beginning of the race, the Dutchman dropped back a few positions, putting him in a chaser role. By the end, he made his way up to second place again, but could ultimately not prevent the victory of Kris Haanen. However, the Exprit pilot struck back in the second final. At an early stage, he made it to the front and managed a safe victory over the 13-lap race distance, despite the lasting challenge from Thom Reinaerdt (GKS Lemmens Power) in P2. Mike van Vugt secured both the day's victory and an entry at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals 2019. Kris Haanen came in second on the podium overall, while Thom Reinaerdt (GKS Lemmens Power) completed the Dutch triple success in Junior MAX.

Seniors: Double victory for Ilian Bruynseels

A very close competition was shown in the big grid of seniors. At the end of the qualifying session, not less than 43 of the 47 drivers were separated by just one second. First and foremost, it was local hero Ilian Bruynseels (Bouvin Power) who set the quickest lap of 53.797 seconds, thus having the best chances for the qualifying heats in the afternoon. And indeed the Belgian seized his advantage by taking both race wins, which boosted him to first place in the rankings.

Even on the final day the local hero was unbeatable. Although he had to fight hard in the finals, he claimed both victories in the end. Behind the winner it was the Swedish racing lady Mathilda Olsson (Strawberry Racing) and the Brit Bradley Barrett (Dan Holland Racing), who took the prizes for best supporting roles in second and third place in both races. This order corresponded to the results of the overall classification, so Bruynseels was awarded with the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals ticket.

DD2: Niklas Graenz dominates Finals

In the gearbox category, Xen de Ruwe (SSC - Sportstil) – one of the most experienced and successful RMC Euro pilots – underlined his skills in qualifying and set the bar for the weekend with a time of 53,530 seconds. But during the heats, his opponents caught up, preventing a walkover of the Belgian driver, who is racing under a Slovenian license. After Xen de Ruwe won the first heat, German Niklas Graenz (42 Competition) won the second race, while Polish driver Piotr Wisnicki (Wyrzykowski Motorsport) was successful in the last heat. However, in the general points ranking, it was Xen de Ruwe still leading. He secured pole position by only one point for the first final on Sunday from Niklas Graenz. Austria’s Daniel Machacek (Daems Racing Team) moved up to third place with consistent top results.

On Sunday, Niklas Gränz had his magic moment. The German was in the best shape and celebrated a controlled double victory in both finals, which he was never in great danger of losing. This gave the reigning German RMC champion the win in the overall classification and the much-sort-after ticket to the Rotax Grand Finals in Italy. Behind the KR-pilot, Daniel Machacek took second place in both races and on the podium. In third, the Finn Ville Viiliaeinen (Pentti Viiliaeinen) made it onto the podium, although he ended on equal points with Xen de Ruwe, but the best result from Final 2 determines the order. 

DD2 Masters: Roberto Pesevski takes the victory

Slawomir Muranski (46 team) lived up to his reputation as the reigning Rotax Euro Trophy champion from the very beginning of the weekend. The Pole set the fastest lap in qualifying and was unbeatable in the heats. With two wins, he defended the first place in the intermediate ranking ahead of the Austrian Roberto Pesevski (KSCA Sodi Austria Team) and the German Michael Becker (RS Competition).

In the first final on Sunday, Slawomir Muranski was in a class of his own. He clearly won the first major race, therefore heading into the decisive second final as the favourite. But, here the Pole had to leave the way to his opponents. He dropped back several positions, watching Roberto Pesevski taking both, the race win and day`s victory. Slawomir Muranski had to be satisfied with second place on the podium. Third place went to the German Sebastian Rumpelhardt (RS Competition) with two solid final results.

After the successful Open event, the European Rotax racing series now looks forward to the first round of the championship which takes place from May 31st to June 2nd, 2019. The Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy will officially kick off its season on the modern Adria Karting Raceway (IT) close to Venice. Throughout the year the year, the series visits the top karting tracks of Kristianstad in Sweden and Wackersdorf in Germany. The grids are already filling and promise a highly competitive season, at the end of which the best-placed drivers will be rewarded by a total of 7 tickets for the RMC Grand Finals.

Previous Article LeCont Tyres - Sporting and technical success for LeCont at Angerville
Next Article From karting to Formula One
Print
11644 Rate this article:
No rating
Please login or register to post comments.