In excellent weather conditions, the superb organisation by 3MK Events, in collaboration with BRP-Rotax, enabled the 370 drivers from 47 nations across five continents competing in the 2026 Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy to take part in an intense and spectacular competition at the Le Mans circuit.
The eighth edition of this event confirmed its standing and global impact through races that were both lively and full of suspense. Sportsmanship was evident across all six categories thanks to respectful yet firm management of the technical and sporting aspects. Great Britain won every category, securing a total of six victories.
The RMCIT continues to bring great satisfaction to the drivers and their teams, who are always keen to return each year to take part in this major event. The warm and festive atmosphere that characterises the RMCIT continued right through to the podium ceremonies, accompanied by a prize draw with generous prizes courtesy of the competition’s partners, including Rotax, 321 Perform, WFR, ITAKAshop, Bell Helmets, Porsche France, KSP Reportages, Print H24 and Extrême Limite. Notably, a Can-Am Ryker was given away in the prize draw, along with Bell helmets. The most coveted prizes remain the tickets to the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, which will take place in Portugal from 7th to 14th November 2026 at the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão. The six winners, all British nationals - Jayan Prakash in Micro Max, Austin Oman in Mini Max, Albert Friend in Junior Max, Sean Butcher in Senior Max, Mark Kimber in DD2 Max and Jack Dex in DD2 Max Masters - thus received their long-awaited passes.
Micro Max: Prakash dominates
Starting from pole position in Qualifying and winning all three of his heats, Jayan Prakash (GBR) undeniably dominated the category at the RMCIT. He faced a challenge in the Super Heat from Jules Chech (FRA) - who was penalised - and Arthur Bowers (GBR), but this did not prevent him from starting from pole position in the Final. Leading from the start, he was briefly challenged by Samar Chopra (ARE), but reacted very quickly and controlled the race right up to the chequered flag. Albert Pharoah (GBR) finished 3 tenths behind him, with Chopra finishing two seconds further back.
Micro Max Final Results
1- Jayan Prakash (GBR - KR/Rotax/Mojo - Sam Pollitt Racing)
2- Albert Pharoah (GBR - KR/Rotax/Mojo - Sam Pollitt Racing)
3- Samar Chopra (UAE - LN/Rotax/Mojo)
4- Arthur Bowers (GBR - Kosmic/Rotax/Mojo - KR Sport)
5- Jules Chech (FRA - DAP/Rotax/Mojo - Kart Pro Racing)
Mini Max: Oman’s winning comeback
Austin Oman (GBR) started from a distant 16th place in Qualifying. He initially moved up to 5th at the end of the Qualifying Heats before making a big impression by winning the Super Heat following Joshua Cooke’s (GBR) problems at the start. Starting from pole position in the Final, Oman immediately pulled away from Cooke and Sebastian Bearman (GBR). Oman maintained a very strong pace, managed his race well and secured a comfortable victory by a margin of a second.
Mini Max Final Results
1- Austin Oman (GBR - KR/Rotax/Mojo)
2- Joshua Cooke (GBR - Kosmic/Rotax/Mojo - KR Sport)
3- Sebastian Bearman (GBR - KR/Rotax/Mojo - Sam Pollitt Racing)
4- Charlie Page (GBR - Kosmic/Rotax/Mojo)
5- Alfie Garrett (GBR - Sodi/Rotax/Mojo - Sodi)
Friend takes victory in the Junior Max Final
Finlay Lines (GBR) had dominated the Qualifying sessions right up to his victory in Super Heat A ahead of Albert Friend (GBR). Leading the Final until the seventh lap, he was forced to concede to Friend, who took the lead. Zdenek Babicek (CZE) launched a fierce attack on Friend on the final lap, but was subsequently penalised for his aggressive driving. Friend duly reclaimed 1st place, finishing 6 tenths ahead of Rares Pascu (CHE) and Majus Mazinas (LTU).
Junior Max Final Results
1- Albert Friend (GBR - LN/Rotax/Mojo - Dan Holland Racing)
2- Rares Pascu (CHE - LN/Rotax/Mojo - Dan Holland Racing)
3- Majus Mazinas (LTU - Kosmic/Rotax/Mojo - KR Sport)
4- Sebastian Clark (GBR - Kosmic/Rotax/Mojo - KR Sport)
5- Finlay Lines (GBR - Kosmic/Rotax/Mojo - KR Sport)
Butcher beats Langlois in the Senior Max class
Sean Butcher (GBR) first had to fight his way back from 38th place in the Qualifying session. He had done just that by the end of the heats, finishing 2nd behind Tom Langlois (FRA). A duel developed between the two men, who had shared the Super Heats between them. Langlois started the Final in the lead, but Butcher took over at the front of the race from the fifth lap onwards. The gap between the top two remained narrow for a long time, keeping Langlois’s hopes alive. But Butcher stepped up the pace a few laps from the finish and won by a second ahead of his rival. Behind them, the order had been set since the fifth lap, with Leon Hastie (GBR) in 3rd, Max Sadurski (NLD) in 4th and Matéo Rivals (FRA) in 5th.
Senior Max Final Results
1- Sean Butcher (GBR - Kosmic/Rotax/Mojo - KR Sport)
2- Tom Langlois (FRA - Sodi/Rotax/Mojo - GKart53)
3- Leon Hastie (GBR - CS55/Rotax/Mojo - Potenza Racing)
4- Max Sadurski (NLD - KR/Rotax/Mojo - SP Motorsport)
5- Matéo Rivals (FRA - EOS/Rotax/Mojo - Dream Racing)
Kimber wins the DD2 Max Final
After setting the 15th fastest time, Mark Kimber (GBR) took the lead in the Qualifying heats, before conceding 2nd place to Enzo Bol (NLD) in Super Heat A. Kimber nevertheless started from pole position in the Final. After a strong start ahead of Jakub Bezel (CZE), the Briton quickly pulled away and calmly managed his lead as the laps went by, whilst battles raged behind him. Kimber won the race 1.4 seconds ahead of Bezel and Bol. He had previously won the DD2 class at the 2022 RMCGF, as well as the Senior Max in 2021 and the Junior Max in 2016.
DD2 Max Final Results
1- Mark Kimber (GBR - LN/Rotax/Mojo - Daems Racing Team)
2- Jakub Bezel (CZE - Tony Kart/Rotax/Mojo - Kraft Motorsport)
3- Enzo Bol (NLD - KR/Rotax/Mojo - SP Motorsport)
4- Leon Mandl (AUT - Birelart/Rotax/Mojo - Birelart by KSB)
5- Emils Akmens (LAT - Tony Kart/Rotax/Mojo - MKC Motorsport)
Dex finally rewarded in DD2 Max Masters
Jack Dex (GBR) had secured pole position straight away in Qualifying ahead of Gabriel Zughella (ARG). He confirmed his form after the heats by leading ahead of Nicolas Claes (BEL). He then won the Super Heat ahead of Alex Fielenbach (GER). Leading in the opening laps of the Final, he was briefly threatened by Claes before coming under pressure from Maxime Gravouille (FRA) towards the end of the race. In a rather chaotic final lap, Claes attacked Gravouille whilst Dex secured victory by 6 hundredths of a second. Claes was subsequently penalised, and Vivien Cussac-Picot (FRA) took 2nd place.
DD2 Max Masters Final Results
1- Jack Dex (GBR - MSKart/Rotax/Mojo - JDR)
2- Vivien Cussac-Picot (FRA - Tony Kart/Rotax/Mojo - NPS)
3- Gustavo Michelsen (PER - Tony Kart/Rotax/Mojo)
4- Maxime Gravouille (FRA - Kosmic/Rotax/Mojo)
5- Harold Watson (PER - Sodi/Rotax/Mojo)