Race Rotax confirms dates and location for RMC US Trophy Final
Race Rotax confirms dates and location for RMC US Trophy Final

Race Rotax confirms dates and location...

Race Rotax confirms dates and location for RMC US Trophy Final

Race Rotax confirms dates and location for RMC US Trophy Final

The ultimate opportunity of the year for North American and international karting talent to secure a ticket to the RMC Grand Finals in Bahrain is here. Race Rotax proudly announces the RMC US Trophy...
E20 categories won’t take place in Sarno
E20 categories won’t take place in Sarno

E20 categories won’t take place in Sarno

E20 categories won’t take place in Sarno

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RMCIT: Superb conclusion at Le Mans
RMCIT: Superb conclusion at Le Mans

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RMCIT: Superb conclusion at Le Mans

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Livestream Super Heats Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2025 at Le Mans

Livestream Super Heats Rotax MAX...

Livestream Super Heats Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2025 at Le Mans

Livestream Super Heats Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2025 at Le Mans

No fewer than 354 drivers are expected at the Le Mans International Circuit this year, confirming the immense appeal of the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy. 3MK Events, in collaboration with...
The heat is on during the RMCIT Qualifying Heats
The heat is on during the RMCIT Qualifying Heats

The heat is on during the RMCIT...

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In increasingly hot weather, the 343 drivers competing in the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy contested 36 Qualifying Heats before tackling the Super Heats on Saturday morning to select...
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Livestream Friday Heats: Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2025 at Le Mans

Livestream Friday Heats: Rotax MAX...

Livestream Friday Heats: Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2025 at Le Mans

Livestream Friday Heats: Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2025 at Le Mans

No fewer than 354 drivers are expected at the Le Mans International Circuit this year, confirming the immense appeal of the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy. 3MK Events, in collaboration with...
Close qualifying at the 2025 RMCIT in Le Mans
Close qualifying at the 2025 RMCIT in Le Mans

Close qualifying at the 2025 RMCIT in Le...

Close qualifying at the 2025 RMCIT in Le Mans

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The Rotax Electric Kart Cup Italy 2025 doubles the race action in Sarno
The Rotax Electric Kart Cup Italy 2025 doubles the race action in Sarno

The Rotax Electric Kart Cup Italy 2025...

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The Rotax Electric Kart Cup Italy 2025 doubles the race action in Sarno

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Results: Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2025 at Le Mans
Results: Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2025 at Le Mans

Results: Rotax MAX Challenge...

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Live timing: Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2024 at Le Mans

Live timing: Rotax MAX Challenge...

Live timing: Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2024 at Le Mans

Live timing: Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2024 at Le Mans

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Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy entries open for Sarno
Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy entries open for Sarno

Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy entries...

Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy entries open for Sarno

Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy entries open for Sarno

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New records for Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy Season Seven

New records for Rotax Max Challenge...

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No fewer than 354 drivers are expected at the Le Mans International Circuit this year, confirming the immense appeal of the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy.
Intense heat and high stakes in Genk:  Round 3 of the RMCET delivers
Intense heat and high stakes in Genk:  Round 3 of the RMCET delivers

Intense heat and high stakes in Genk: ...

Intense heat and high stakes in Genk: Round 3 of the RMCET delivers

Intense heat and high stakes in Genk: Round 3 of the RMCET delivers

The 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy arrived at Karting Genk ‘Home of Champions’ for its third and penultimate round of the season. Set in one of the most iconic karting venues in the...
Title pressure builds in Genk as the 2025 RMCET nears its finale
Title pressure builds in Genk as the 2025 RMCET nears its finale

Title pressure builds in Genk as the...

Title pressure builds in Genk as the 2025 RMCET nears its finale

Title pressure builds in Genk as the 2025 RMCET nears its finale

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Memorable Sunday at Genk as Round 3 delivers high drama and new winners

Memorable Sunday at Genk as Round 3...

Memorable Sunday at Genk as Round 3 delivers high drama and new winners

Memorable Sunday at Genk as Round 3 delivers high drama and new winners

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Livestream: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round 3 at the Home of Champions – Karting Genk

Livestream: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round 3...

Livestream: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round 3 at the Home of Champions – Karting Genk

Livestream: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round 3 at the Home of Champions – Karting Genk

The 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy moves into its third and penultimate round with a stop at one of its most iconic venues: Karting Genk – The Home of Champions. A staple in the RMCET...
Spencer, Ashcroft, Butcher, Bol and Picot lead the way after Heats in Genk
Spencer, Ashcroft, Butcher, Bol and Picot lead the way after Heats in Genk

Spencer, Ashcroft, Butcher, Bol and...

Spencer, Ashcroft, Butcher, Bol and Picot lead the way after Heats in Genk

Spencer, Ashcroft, Butcher, Bol and Picot lead the way after Heats in Genk

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Results: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round 3 at the Home of Champions – Karting Genk
Results: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round 3 at the Home of Champions – Karting Genk

Results: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round 3 at...

Results: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round 3 at the Home of Champions – Karting Genk

Results: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round 3 at the Home of Champions – Karting Genk

The 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy moves into its third and penultimate round with a stop at one of its most iconic venues: Karting Genk – The Home of Champions. A staple in the RMCET...
Qualifying and first heats complete as Round 3 begins under clear skies at Genk
Qualifying and first heats complete as Round 3 begins under clear skies at Genk

Qualifying and first heats complete as...

Qualifying and first heats complete as Round 3 begins under clear skies at Genk

Qualifying and first heats complete as Round 3 begins under clear skies at Genk

The third round of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy is underway at the legendary Karting Genk – The Home of Champions, where the action resumed today under mild conditions after a rainy...
Live timing: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round 3 at the Home of Champions – Karting Genk
Live timing: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round 3 at the Home of Champions – Karting Genk

Live timing: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round...

Live timing: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round 3 at the Home of Champions – Karting Genk

Live timing: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Round 3 at the Home of Champions – Karting Genk

The 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy moves into its third and penultimate round with a stop at one of its most iconic venues: Karting Genk – The Home of Champions. A staple in the RMCET...
RMC Euro Trophy Winter Cup crowns winners under the Spanish sun

Published on Tuesday, February 21, 2023

RMC Euro Trophy Winter Cup crowns winners under the Spanish sun

The first international Rotax race winners have been determined. Last weekend, the RMC Euro Trophy Winter Cup kicked off the new season in Campillos, Spain. Nearly 180 riders went full throttle on the demanding course in Andalusia and delivered exciting racing action at the start of the season.

The 2023 racing season of the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy is about to start. The Winter Cup of the European Rotax championship has become a tradition to open the racing action and offers numerous competitors from a variety of nations the chance for the first test of strength of the year. In the best weather conditions, the participants delivered exciting races on the 1,588-meter Circuito Karting Campillos before the start of the duels for the championship standings last weekend. In the evening, Jacob Ashcroft (Mini MAX), Kasper Schormans (Junior MAX), Kai Rillaerts (Senior MAX), Patriks Noels Locmelis (DD2) and Martynas Tankevicius (DD2 Masters) were beaming from the top podium positions of the individual categories.

 

Mini MAX: Jacob Ashcroft puts exclamation mark on exciting finale          
34 junior racers made the trip to Campillos in the Rotax Mini MAX category. Jacob Ashcroft (Dan Holland Racing) presented himself in top form at the first meeting of the new season. With first place in qualifying and three wins in the heats, the youngster did everything right.      

In the prefinal, the Briton also impressed across the board. The young racer kept his rivals at bay over the entire race distance and won ahead of Albert Friend (Strawberry Racing) and Felipe Reijs (RR Racing). Zdenek Babicek (TEPZ Racing Team) and Nikita Ljubimov (Bouvin Power) completed the top five.    

The final was hard to beat in terms of excitement. The top drivers of the classification followed each other like a string of pearls and fought gripping duels. Reijs, Friend, and Ashcroft took turns at the front and each collected a few leading moments. The latter even found himself in fourth position for a while, but then really turned up the heat. On the penultimate lap, Ashcroft found his rhythm again and passed Friend to take the win. Behind him at the finish, Ljubimov was happy to take third position. A blink of an eye behind, Babicek finished fourth ahead of Cole Denholm (Dan Holland Racing) in fifth for the final scoring run.

 

Junior MAX:  Kasper Schormans wins        
Kasper Schormans (JJ Racing) took the top spot in qualifying in the Rotax Junior MAX class. Things also looked good overall for the fast Dutchman in the heats. However, a time penalty cost him grid position one for the prefinal. Nikita Nikishov (KR Sport) also won the prefinal twice.        

Nikishov led the field of juniors after the start but had to give up his place to Sebastian Minns (KR Sport) early on. The duo then pulled away from the pack and battled among themselves for the win. However, a slow phase brought the field back together in the second half of the race. After the restart, however, Minns once again underlined his potential and did not allow himself to be deprived of victory until the chequered flag fell. Schormans fought his way up to second place at the last moment. Third place went to Thomas Bearman (KR Sport) ahead of Nikishov and Boaz Maximov (Bouvin Power).

In the final, Minns also made good progress at the start. However, scuffles led to shifts at the front. Schormans placed perfectly and took the reins at the halfway point. The JJ Racing driver followed by Bearman and Minns took the lead. However, constant attacks by his rivals did not make it easy for Schormans. In the end, however, the polesitter held his breath and won ahead of Bearman and Minns. Maximov took fourth place to lead Ties van Wijk (JJ Racing).

 

Senior MAX: Kai Rillaerts with strong final performance to victory 
For Kai Hunter (Dan Holland Racing), the Winter Cup opener initially took a good run. The Briton set the fastest time in qualifying but then had some bad luck in the heats and consequently had to relinquish his place to Zsombor Kovacs (Kraft Motorsport). The Hungarian took the top spot in the intermediate rankings with two heat wins and was therefore considered the clear favorite for the qualifying rounds.

However, the hour of Matthew Higgins (Strawberry Racing) struck in the prefinal. The Briton passed Kovacs directly after the start and defended his position until the chequered flag fell. Kai Rillaerts (Kraft Motorsport) put in a strong performance behind him and fought his way up into the top three. German Austin Lee (Strawberry Racing) took fourth place, followed by Archie Walker (KR Sport) in fifth.

In the final, too, Higgins kept his nose in front after the start. However, the Strawberry Racing protégé was targeted by his pursuers early on. Higgins drove a fighting line, lost important speed, and consequently had to let Rillaerts pass. The Belgian then seized his chance, set a remarkable pace and ultimately celebrated an uncontested victory. "Although we only arrived on Friday morning, we quickly found the necessary speed and had a perfect weekend. A super debut in my new team. Many thanks to everyone involved for the great support," explained the 16-year-old in the winner's interview. The places in the top three were quickly distributed behind him. Lee held on for second ahead of Junior MAX up-and-comer Ethan Jeff-Hall (Strawberry Racing) in third. Close behind, Kovacs lined up ahead of Lewis Gilbert (Kraft Motorsport).

 

DD2 MAX: Patriks Noels Locmelis takes Winter Cup final win        
In the Rotax DD2 MAX field, Tereza Babickova (TEPZ Racing Team) caused a stir at the start of the event. In her first appearance in the Rotax king class the Czech convinced right from the start and left nothing to be desired. The pole position in qualifying was followed by three heat wins for the Birel ART driver, clearly underlining her ambitions.        

Babickova also had a firm grip on events in the prefinal. Right from the start, she completed her laps without any mistakes and gradually pulled away from the chasing pack to take a commanding victory. Patriks Noels Locmelis (MRG Racing) was second and got into tough duels with his opponents. Axel Saarniala (SP Motorsport) put on a lot of pressure and finished the race in the slipstream in third place. Martijn van Leeuwen (Schepers Racing) followed in fourth ahead of Michael Rosina (54 Squarda Corse).

In the final, the polesitter didn't have it quite so easy after that. Locmelis made his destination clear early on and passed Babickova. However, the young lady managed to take the reins again and collected more lead kilometers. At the halfway point of the race, however, there was no stopping Locmelis. The Latvian made the decisive maneuver and left no doubt until the finish. Saarniala remained within striking distance until the end but was unable to overtake the final winner. Babickova finished third ahead of van Leeuwen and Maxim Shchurko (Lenktyniu Linija).

 

DD2 Masters: Martynas Tankevicius with double victory     
At the beginning it looked like Nicolas Picot would make a clear advance in Rotax DD2 Masters. The Frenchman set the fastest time in qualifying and kept his nose in front in his class after the heats.

But a setback followed in the prefinal: after a technical defect on his kart, Picot dropped back and thereby cleared the way for Martynas Tankevicius (Lenktyniu Linija). The Lithuanian took victory after a thrilling duel with Christophe Capitaine. However, Capitaine dropped to fourth after a time penalty in the results, making room for Jonathan Wemaux and David Perel (Kraft Motorsport) in second and third. Fifth in the prefinal was Andreas Neumann (RS Competition).

After the start of the final, Picot was the man of the moment. The Frenchman promptly moved up from the end of the field to position one and led the category. After some scuffling, the experienced driver lost some speed. Tankevicius then took the lead again and was delighted with an impressive double victory at the finish. Picot crossed the finish line in second place, relegating Wemaux to third. Capitaine followed in fourth ahead of Perel.

 

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