Over the years, the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy has become one of the biggest Rotax events in the world. Organised by 3MK Events in close collaboration with BRP-Rotax, this international event is set to attract a large following, with 380 drivers expected from 46 nations across five continents at the prestigious Le Mans venue (France) from 13th to 18th July 2026.
As a top-level Rotax competition dedicated to private teams with their own equipment, the RMCIT is a must-attend event on the sporting calendar. The extremely high-calibre field promises numerous on-track battles across the six competing categories: Micro Max (8-11 years), Mini Max (ages 10-13), Junior Max (ages 12-14), Senior Max (ages 14 and over), Max DD2 (ages 15 and over), and Max DD2 Masters (ages 32 and over). Mojo is the event’s official tyre supplier.
A meticulously organised event
The organisers, 3MK Events / BRP-Rotax, guarantee a high-quality event to ensure the best possible racing conditions for all participants. From technical stewards to race stewards, via WFR race control, everything is in place to ensure a fair and equitable competition that lives up to the RMCIT’s reputation. The Circuit International Karting du Mans provides an exceptional setting for this event. Its renowned 1,386-metre-long circuit will notably host the next FIA Karting KZ World Championship this coming September. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) will do everything in its power to ensure this edition is a success. The YouTube live stream will allow viewers to follow the competition remotely from Thursday 16th to Saturday 18th July.
An exceptional prize line-up
Prestigious partners such as Rotax, 321 Perform, WFR, ITAKAshop, Bell Helmets, Porsche France, KSP Reportages, Print H24 and Extrême Limite are contributing to the event’s success. A major prize draw with a wealth of prizes will take place immediately after the Finals and prizes will include a Can-Am Ryker and Bell helmets. The top drivers will also be rewarded during the podium ceremony, where six places will be awarded for the 2026 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. Six Rotax engines will also be given away, along with €1000 gift vouchers.
A sporting and festive atmosphere
The Rotax Max Challenge has built its reputation on a combination of performance, reliability and fairness - values championed by high-calibre organisations such as the RMCIT, which can count on the legendary Le Mans circuit to attract competitors. The programme includes a photo shoot for everyone on Tuesday and the ever-popular drivers’ parade on Wednesday evening, followed by a cocktail reception with a DJ and a spectacular podium prize-giving ceremony on Saturday after the Finals.
The field
Micro MAX, 36 drivers
Runner-up last year, Britain’s Albert Pharoah (KR) arrives this year as the leader of the British Kart Championship’s Micro MAX category, ahead of his team-mate Jayan Prakash (KR). Along with Kaiden Hanley (Alpha Karting) and Arthur Bowers (KR), four of the top five British drivers are entered. Also worth noting is the presence of Bobby Slater, the younger brother of Freddie and Alfie, who are now competing in F3 and F4. Jules Chech (Praga) is now the frontrunner for the French contingent.
Mini MAX, 36 drivers
The 2025 Micro Max winner, Britain’s Charlie Page (Kosmic), is competing this year in the higher category alongside his compatriots Austin Oman (KR) and Joshua Cooke (Kosmic), who are in the top two places in their national championship. Jaimy Septier (OK1), who finished 9th last year in Micro Max, is aiming for a strong result in Mini Max this year. The son of the F1 champion, Robin Raikkonen (KR), is returning to the category following his debut in 2025.
Junior MAX, 85 drivers
Leading the RMC Euro Trophy, the Czech driver Zdenek Babicek (LN) is well placed against the Swiss driver Rares Pascu (LN), the Slovak driver Martin Soltys (Tony Kart) and the British drivers Finlay Lines (Kosmic), Harry Taylor (LN), Sebastian Clark (Kosmic), Albert Friend (LN) and Jenson Chalk (Kosmic). On the French side, Charles Ural (Redspeed), Bruno Matrullo (LN), Carsten Soer (Tony Kart), Mathis Huard (Sodi), Théo Battisti (Sodi) and Téo Policand (EOS) all look set to be strong contenders.
Senior MAX, 126 drivers
The French contingent is looking strong with 54 Senior MAX drivers at Le Mans. Last year, Simon Périgny (FRA-KR) finished 5th ahead of Titouan Lescalié (FRA-Tony Kart), Nolan Lemeray and Paul Grisel (FRA-Kosmic). This year, Tom Langlois (FRA-Sodi) is 8th in the Euro Trophy behind Lescalié. Mehdi Lassoued (FRA-Sodi) leads the NSK standings ahead of Lemeray and Langlois. Matéo Rivals (FRA-EOS) has a strong chance of success.
The 2025 RMCIT winner, Macauley Bishop (GBR-LN), is defending his title against his closest rival, Lewis Gilbert (GBR-Exprit). Jeremy Reuvers (ESP-LN), who finished 2nd in Junior Max last year, is competing in Senior Max this year alongside Maximov Boaz (NLD-Tony Kart), who finished 4th in Junior Max. Tereza Babickova (CZE-LN) will no doubt have a say in the outcome, as will a number of other top drivers such as Sean Butcher (GBR-Kosmic) and Mathias Kjellerup (DNK-LN)
MAX DD2, 69 drivers
The 2025 winner, Belgian Lenn Nijs (KR), and his runner-up, Latvian Edgars Vilcans (Sodi), are competing again this year. Briton Lewis Goff (Kosmic) will be trying his luck in DD2. Czech driver Jakub Bezel (Tony Kart), Dutch champion Stan Pex (KR) and his compatriot Imke Arts (KR), Danish driver William Norbaek (Birelart), Polish drivers Dawid Maslakiewicz (Kosmic) and Patryk Donica (Birelart) are among the drivers to watch, along with a host of French drivers: Hugo Dupont (Sodi), Antoine Barbaroux (LN), Steven Servant (Sodi), Mathieu Ferré (LN) and Maxime Geley (Sodi).
MAX DD2 Masters, 27 drivers
Slovenian Xen de Ruwe will not be defending his title this year. Frenchman Charles Seguin (Sodi) will face several of his compatriots, including Vivien Cussac-Picot (Tony Kart), Maxime Gravouille (Kosmic), Romain Mangé (LN) and Christophe Capitaine (EOS). Also worth keeping an eye on are Belgian Steve Vermeulen (KR), Dutchman Riccardo Romkema (KR) and Argentine Gabriel Zughella (Birelart).
Provisional schedule
Due to the high temperatures forecast for the coming days, the organisers are adjusting the timetable to help the drivers cope with the heat.
Monday and Tuesday will be split into two separate sessions: from 8.00 am to 12.00 pm, and then from 8.00 pm to midnight.
Monday 13 July
Unofficial Free Practice (1x8’ & 1x7’)
Tuesday 14 July
Unofficial Free Practice (2x8’ & 1x10’)
Wednesday 15 July
08.40 - 14.23: Official Free Practice (2 x 8’)
15.43 - 17.19: Qualifying sessions (1x5’)
18.00 - 19.00: Drivers’ Presentation
19.00 - 21.00: Drinks reception and DJ set
Thursday 16 July
08.45 - 17.47: Qualifying Heats
09:38 - 17:37: Qualifying Heats
17:45: Drivers' parade, cocktail party and DJ set
Friday 17 July
08.45 - 17.47: Qualifying Heats
Saturday 18 July
07.45 - 08.54: Warm-up
09.17 - 12.23: Super Heats
14.00 - 17.00: Finals
18.00: Prize draw and podium ceremonies