The long Friday of Round 3 of the 2026 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy continued this afternoon at Karting Genk: The Home of Champions, where 11 Qualifying Heats officially launched the race weekend. Following this morning's qualifying sessions, the opening races confirmed the strong form of several pole sitters while delivering plenty of close battles across all seven categories.

After securing pole position in the morning, Oscar Kenney maintained his momentum by winning the opening heat, strengthening his position ahead of Saturday's remaining heats in the Mini MAX.

In Junior MAX, overall pole sitter Finlay Lines converted his qualifying pace into victory in one of the afternoon heats. The second race went to Albert Friend (Dan Holland Racing), immediately placing himself among the leading contenders for the overall classification.

The highly competitive Senior MAX category once again produced a variety of winners. Overall pole sitter Jeremy Reuvers (Karting Club Campillos) continued his impressive run with two heat victories, while Tereza Babickova (Dan Holland Racing), Tom Langlois (Sodikart), Macauley Bishop (Dan Holland Racing) and home favourite Lars Lambers (Bouvin Power) each claimed one win, confirming just how open the category remains heading into Saturday.

In DD2, Patryk Donica (Birelart by KSB Racing) backed up his pole position by taking victory in the opening heat, while Nicolas Picot (Privateer) once again proved untouchable in DD2 Masters, continuing his unbeaten run throughout the 2026 season.

The electric categories also completed their first competitive races of the weekend. Anna Benedek (KMS Europe) emerged victorious in E20 Senior, while home driver Carl Cleirbaut (Bouvin Power) added a heat win to his morning pole position in E20 Masters.

With the opening heats completed, attention now turns to Saturday, when the remaining Qualifying Heats will define the starting grids for Sunday's decisive Prefinals and Finals.