The 8th edition of the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy is taking place at Le Mans in the midst of a heatwave. In response to a request from the authorities in the Sarthe department, 3MK Events has adjusted the schedule for the first three days of the competition. To prevent drivers from racing during the hottest part of the day, the qualifying sessions originally scheduled for Wednesday from 2.50 pm have been moved to the evening, starting at 9.20 pm.
Having familiarised themselves with the Le Mans International Circuit during Free Practice, the 370 participants in the 2026 RMCIT competed during the Qualifying sessions with great energy under floodlights and at a temperature of around 24°. Jayan Prakash (GBR) in Micro Max, Paul Plattner-Geramb (AUT) in Mini Max, Finlay Lines (GBR) in Junior Max, Tom Langlois (FRA) in Senior Max, Stan Pex (NLD) in DD2 Max and Jack Dex (GBR) in DD2 Max Masters secured pole positions for the 8th edition.
Micro Max: Pole position for Jayan Prakash
Jayan Prakash (GBR - KR) set a time of 1’00’’031 on his fourth lap to secure pole position in the Micro Max class. Freddie Baker (GBR - RCE) followed 0.134 seconds behind, with Lenny Barton (GBR - Tony Kart) in 3rd, Kian Hay (DNK - Kosmic) in 4th and Albert Pharoah (GBR - KR) in 5th.
Plattner-Geramb sets fastest time in Mini Max
The drivers who waited until the very last moment to take to the track were barely rewarded for taking the risk. Paul Plattner-Geramb (AUT - KR) secured pole position in the Mini Max class with a time of 57.683 seconds on his fourth lap. Robin Raikkonen (ITA - KR) was hot on his heels, just 59 thousandths of a second behind. Kory Lyons (IRL - KR) was 3rd, 0.148 seconds off the pace. Suleyman Cem Karakomur (TUR - Energy) finished 4th and Tymoteusz Pieta (POL - Energy) 5th.
Junior Max: Finlay Lines in pole position
The three Qualifying sessions saw increasingly fast lap times. Finlay Lines (GBR - Kosmic) was the fastest in Session 3 with a time of 54.184 seconds, whilst Bruno Matrullo (FRA - LN) had clocked 54.383 seconds in the second session and Riley Murro (GBR - Kosmic) was the fastest in the first session with a lap time of 54.934 seconds. Just 15 thousandths of a second off pole position, Albert Friend (GBR - LN) was in 4th place in the standings ahead of Carsten Soer (FRA - Kosmic).
Langlois takes the lead in Senior Max
The standings changed following two high-profile disqualifications amongst the frontrunners. As a result, Tom Langlois (FRA - Sodi) inherited pole position with a time of 53.292 seconds set in the third group. Simon Périgny (FRA - KR) clocked a lap time of 53.383 seconds in the second group, Boaz Maximov (NLD - Tony Kart) led Group 4 with a time of 53.476 seconds, and Paul Grisel (FRA - Kosmic) topped the first group with a time of 53.871 seconds. Arnaud Sabourin (CAN - Kosmic) finished 5th ahead of Ruben Moya (ESP - Redspeed).
Pex dominates DD2 Max Qualifying
Stan Pex (NLD - KR) secured DD2 pole position at Le Mans thanks to his third lap, clocked at 52.718 seconds in the first group, with Alessandro Pediini Amati (SMR - Tony Kart) hot on his heels, just 8 thousandths of a second behind. Sem Knopjes (NLD - Birelart) set the fastest time in the second group with a lap of 52.847 seconds, whilst Patryk Donica (POL - Birelart) finished 4th ahead of Antoine Barbaroux (FRA - LN).
DD2 Max Masters pole for Dex
Jack Dex (GBR - MS Kart) took the lead on the timesheet on the third lap and secured pole position with a time of 53.102 seconds. Gabriel Zughella (ARG - Birelart) finished 2nd, 0.180 seconds behind, closely followed by Alex Fielenbach (GER - CS55). Nicolas Claes (BEL - Tony Kart) took 4th place ahead of Maurits Knopjes (ARE - Birelart).
Provisional programme
Thursday 16 July
08.00 - 17.07: Qualifying Heats
18.00: Drivers’ parade and cocktail reception
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
You can follow the competition on the RMCIT website and on its social media channels.