After a dry day of testing on Thursday, rain took over completely at the Steel Ring in Trinec today, making conditions significantly more complex for teams and drivers as Qualifying and the opening Heats of Round 4 of the 2026 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy got underway.

Cees Muijs (Sodikart) set the fastest lap in Mini MAX, ahead of Jan Wozniak (KRZ's Motorsport). Muijs confirmed his form by winning the opening heat of the day as well.

In Junior MAX, Emerson Macandrew-Uren (Dan Holland Racing) topped Group 1, ahead of championship leader Zdenek Babicek (TEPZ Racing). Sebastian Clark (KR Sport) was fastest in Group 2 and set the overall pace. The day's two heats went to Macandrew-Uren and Leo Gonzales (MKC Motorsport).

Senior MAX outsider Dovydas Gudelevicius (Kraft Motorsport) set the best time in Group 1, while Freddie Lloyd (Evolution Motorsport) topped Group 2 and set the overall fastest lap. Lewis Gilbert (Potenza Racing Engines) was quickest in Group 3. The four heats of the day were shared between Gilbert, Ties van Wijk (Dan Holland Racing) and Cian Geraghty (Strawberry Racing), who took two wins.

Lenn Nijs (Schepers Racing) adapted best to the changing conditions, setting the fastest lap in DD2, with Nicolas Picot (Privateer) second overall and leading DD2 Masters. Nijs and Picot both backed up their pace with victory in the afternoon heat.

Lucas dos Santos Pinheiro made it back-to-back poles in E20 Senior after Genk, and backed it up with victory in the afternoon heat. In E20 Masters, Roman Jager (RS Competitions) completed the pole and heat win double.

Attention now turns to Saturday, when a marathon programme of 16 Heats will complete the picture ahead of Sunday's Prefinals and Finals.