The final round of the 2026 IAME Euro Series began at the Home of Champions, with Time Qualifying setting the first competitive order before Friday’s Qualifying Heats brought changing conditions, a sudden downpour and intense racing across all three categories.
Mixed conditions shaped the opening rotation of heats before heavy rain transformed the circuit, catching drivers on slick tyres and bringing the first X30 Junior race to a halt under the red flag. As the rain moved away and the circuit gradually dried, the racing remained every bit as unpredictable.
Six Qualifying Heats in each category established the order for Saturday’s Super Heats, with championship leaders under pressure and several home drivers rising to the occasion at Genk.
Perfect Friday for Forkes
In X30 Mini, Mayson Hibbert opened the weekend by setting the fastest overall time in Time Qualifying, ahead of championship contender Ilyas Sami. Leo Devahive Garcia and home driver Arthur Jassogne led the remaining qualifying groups.
As soon as the heats began, Chester Forkes delivered a flawless performance, winning all three of his races to lead the combined classification with a perfect 150 points, while Sami responded with a victory of his own and finished second overall, while Time Qualifying leader Hibbert completed three consistent races in second place to take third. With Forkes and Sami arriving at Genk level on championship points, their title fight remains finely balanced heading into Saturday.
Pascu and Bruno level at the top
Rares Pascu secured the fastest time in X30 Junior Time Qualifying while Zoltan Coigny, Ivan Luis Gonzalez Ellul and Colbe Patison completed the four group pole positions.
The opening Junior heat was transformed by a sudden downpour, leaving the field fighting for control on slick tyres as the conditions continued to change. Pascu followed his Time Qualifying success with two heat victories, but home driver Priam Bruno matched him on 138 points after a win and two second places. Nilas Malik completed the top three after producing an impressive charge to victory in B–C. Gonzalez Ellul strengthened his championship challenge with a heat win and fourth in the combined classification, while championship leader Max Endacott ended a more difficult Friday in 16th.
Carenini applies the pressure
Vince Vanderhallen gave the Belgian crowd an early reason to celebrate by topping X30 Senior Time Qualifying. Roxanne Lantinga followed just 0.010 seconds behind, with championship leader Aaron Garcia and Bran Vanderveken qualifying behind.
Danny Carenini took control once the heats began, scoring two victories and a second place to end Friday at the top of the combined classification with 144 points. Vanderhallen added two heat victories to finish second overall, while Garcia placed third. Carenini’s direct win over Garcia in B–C added further pressure to a title fight that began the weekend with 19 points between them.
Everything to play for
Time Qualifying and Friday’s heats have created three finely balanced championship pictures. Forkes holds the early advantage in Mini, Gonzalez Ellul has gained ground in Junior and Carenini has carried his momentum into the Senior decider.
Follow Saturday’s Super Heats and Finals live on the IAME Euro Series YouTube channel as the 2026 champions are crowned at Genk. Saturday’s Super Heats will set the grids for the final three races of the 2026 IAME Euro Series, where every title will be decided.