The first round of the Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series is now in the books. Four thrilling finals delivered excitement and surprises, also shaping the overall standings.
KR Sport’s Oliver Spencer, winner of the Final, takes the lead in the standings. However, close behind are fellow Brit Tom Read (SFR Motorsport), who staged an impressive comeback over the weekend, and Friday’s poleman Jef Verbeke (SP Motorsport).
Standings - Mini MAX:
1. Oliver Spencer – 159 pts
2. Tom Read – 148 pts
3. Jef Verbeke – 144 pts
Consistency pays off for Harry Freeman (KR Sport), leader after the heats and winner of the Prefinal. Hot on his heels is race winner Kristian Sejersen (RS Competition), just six points behind, followed by Albert Friend (Strawberry Racing) at twelve points adrift.
Standings - Junior MAX:
1. Harry Freeman – 157 pts
2. Kristian Sejersen – 151 pts
3. Albert Friend – 145 pts
Winner takes it all. Macauley Bishop (Dan Holland Racing), the dominant force of the weekend, also leads the overall standings. He holds a nine-point advantage over his closest challenger, Sean Butcher (KR Sport), while Kai Hunter (Hunter Motorsport) sits 14 points behind.
Standings - Senior MAX:
1. Macauley Bishop – 165 pts
2. Sean Butcher – 156 pts
3. Kai Hunter – 151 pts
It’s a head-to-head battle between Jakub Bezel and Will Elswood, teammates at Kraft Motorsport, who are tied at the top of the standings. Just three points behind, Lenn Nijs (Schepers Racing) makes DD2 the most tightly contested category so far.
Standings - DD2:
1. Jakub Bezel – 154 pts
2. Will Elswood – 154 pts
3. Lenn Nijs – 151 pts
Meanwhile, a stunning victory was not enough for Nicolas Picot to claim the championship lead. The Frenchman, who has now secured seven consecutive wins since the 2024 Winter Cup, sits second behind Xen De Ruwe (SCC), who leads the standings. Fabio Cretti (Honolulu Racing), the local driver at Cremona, completed the podium in third place.
Standings - DD2 Masters:
1. Xen De Ruwe – 162 pts
2. Nicolas Picot – 159 pts
3. Fabio Cretti – 149 pts
The second round at Leopard Circuit in Viterbo, scheduled for the weekend of March 30, will be decisive in determining the champions and, most importantly, awarding the prizes.
Prizes at Stake:
Winners of each category will receive free entry for the 2025 RMCET.
Second place in all categories will receive free entry for 2 rounds of the 2025 RMCET.
Third-place finishers in all categories will receive free entry to the RMC International Trophy (including race tires).
Additionally, after the second round, all drivers who have participated in both events will be automatically entered into a raffle to win 1 free ticket to the 2025 RMCIT (including race tires), with one ticket available per category.