RMCET wraps up 2025 and looks ahead to 2026 – the calendar is out
RMCET wraps up 2025 and looks ahead to 2026 – the calendar is out

RMCET wraps up 2025 and looks ahead to...

RMCET wraps up 2025 and looks ahead to 2026 – the calendar is out

RMCET wraps up 2025 and looks ahead to 2026 – the calendar is out

The grand finale of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy unfolded in spectacular fashion at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli. In addition to crowning the 2025 champions, BRP-Rotax and WSK...
Heat, hype and history in Sarno: final round of the RMCET ends in style
Heat, hype and history in Sarno: final round of the RMCET ends in style

Heat, hype and history in Sarno: final...

Heat, hype and history in Sarno: final round of the RMCET ends in style

Heat, hype and history in Sarno: final round of the RMCET ends in style

The 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy wrapped up its season at one of karting’s most revered venues: the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno, Italy. With Grand Finals tickets on the line...
Champions crowned in sensational finale at Circuito Internazionale Napoli
Champions crowned in sensational finale at Circuito Internazionale Napoli

Champions crowned in sensational finale...

Champions crowned in sensational finale at Circuito Internazionale Napoli

Champions crowned in sensational finale at Circuito Internazionale Napoli

The grand finale of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy unfolded in spectacular fashion at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno, Italy. Under the southern sun and with a passionate crowd...
Livestream: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno
Livestream: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno

Livestream: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale...

Livestream: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno

Livestream: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno

The 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy heads into its decisive chapter with the fourth and final round taking place at one of the most prestigious venues in the international karting scene - the...
Uren, Vanderveken, Sidler, Knopjes and Picot lead after heats at Sarno
Uren, Vanderveken, Sidler, Knopjes and Picot lead after heats at Sarno

Uren, Vanderveken, Sidler, Knopjes and...

Uren, Vanderveken, Sidler, Knopjes and Picot lead after heats at Sarno

Uren, Vanderveken, Sidler, Knopjes and Picot lead after heats at Sarno

The Saturday of heats at the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy has shaped the overall rankings after heats. Leading their respective categories are Emerson Macandrew-Uren (Mini MAX), Bran Vanderveken...
A friday full of twists in the RMCET at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli - Sarno
A friday full of twists in the RMCET at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli - Sarno

A friday full of twists in the RMCET at...

A friday full of twists in the RMCET at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli - Sarno

A friday full of twists in the RMCET at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli - Sarno

A Friday full of action and plot twists at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli, host of the final round of the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy. On the track located just a few kilometers from Naples, 7...
Results: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno
Results: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno

Results: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale at...

Results: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno

Results: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno

The 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy heads into its decisive chapter with the fourth and final round taking place at one of the most prestigious venues in the international karting scene - the...
Live timing: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno
Live timing: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno

Live timing: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale...

Live timing: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno

Live timing: 2025 RMC Euro Trophy Finale at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno

The 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy heads into its decisive chapter with the fourth and final round taking place at one of the most prestigious venues in the international karting scene - the...
Sarno set to host the 2025 Rotax Max Challenge Euro Trophy Finale
Sarno set to host the 2025 Rotax Max Challenge Euro Trophy Finale

Sarno set to host the 2025 Rotax Max...

Sarno set to host the 2025 Rotax Max Challenge Euro Trophy Finale

Sarno set to host the 2025 Rotax Max Challenge Euro Trophy Finale

The 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy heads into its decisive chapter with the fourth and final round taking place at one of the most prestigious venues in the international karting scene - the...
Rotax Grand Festival & E-Kart Cup Italy Champions crowned in Sarno
Rotax Grand Festival & E-Kart Cup Italy Champions crowned in Sarno

Rotax Grand Festival & E-Kart Cup Italy...

Rotax Grand Festival & E-Kart Cup Italy Champions crowned in Sarno

Rotax Grand Festival & E-Kart Cup Italy Champions crowned in Sarno

This year’s edition of the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Festival for Micro MAX and Mini MAX took place in Italy on August 30-31, where the new title-holders were celebrated after much intensely...
Rotax Racing Club International Finals  set for 2026 debut at Karting Genk
Rotax Racing Club International Finals  set for 2026 debut at Karting Genk

Rotax Racing Club International Finals ...

Rotax Racing Club International Finals set for 2026 debut at Karting Genk

Rotax Racing Club International Finals set for 2026 debut at Karting Genk

BRP-Rotax is proud to announce the official launch of the Rotax Racing Club – a new global initiative designed to make competitive karting more accessible than ever before.
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

E20 categories won’t take place in Sarno

The E20 Senior and E20 Masters categories will not be part of the fourth and final round of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy, scheduled to take place from September 3rd to 7th at Circuito...
RMCIT: Superb conclusion at Le Mans
RMCIT: Superb conclusion at Le Mans

RMCIT: Superb conclusion at Le Mans

RMCIT: Superb conclusion at Le Mans

RMCIT: Superb conclusion at Le Mans

The 7th edition of the Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy came to a spectacular conclusion on Saturday, 19th July at Le Mans. Maximum intensity and elevated spectacle accompanied the Final...
Livestream Super Heats Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2025 at Le Mans
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...

The heat is on during the RMCIT Qualifying Heats

The heat is on during the RMCIT Qualifying Heats

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

Close qualifying at the 2025 RMCIT in Le Mans

After familiarising themselves with the Le Mans International Circuit during Free Practice, the 343 participants in the 2025 Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy competed with great energy during...
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...

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

BRP-Rotax, in cooperation with Authorised Rotax Distributor Kart-Shop Italia, announces the first Rotax Electric Kart Cup Italy 2025 as a feature category on the weekend of August 30th - 31st at the...
Results: Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2025 at Le Mans
Results: Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2025 at Le Mans

Results: Rotax MAX Challenge...

Results: Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2025 at Le Mans

Results: 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...
Four double winners at the opening round of  the Rotax Max Challenge Euro Trophy 2019

Published on Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Four double winners at the opening round of the Rotax Max Challenge Euro Trophy 2019

Adria (Italy) – From May 31 to June 2, the waiting was finally over: The Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy 2019 kicked off its second year. In April, the series had already given an impressive foretaste of the season with a successful Open race format at Genk, Belgium. Now, round one officially opened the championship in Italy. Therefore, the choice fell on the ultra-modern track of the Adria Karting Raceway not far from Venice.

The 1,302-metre long circuit is fast and challenging, even aside the tarmac, the modern and popular complex leaves nothing to be desired. So it was no surprise that 125 drivers entered for the first of three events of the official Rotax European Championship. The grids represented no less than 20 different nations, underlining the international claim of the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy, which will visit Kristianstad (SWE) and Wackersdorf (DEU) in the course of the year. The first showdown, which equally was a tribute to Austria’s two times Formula 1 World Champion Niki Lauda, who recently passed away, ended with four double winners. They were not only rewarded with trophies and a maximum of championship points but an entry ticket for the newest edition on the Rotax racing calendar – the Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy at Le Mans (FRA) in August as well.

 

Juniors: Two victories for Mike van Vugt

Marcel Surmacz (KMS Europe) set the first benchmark for the weekend. In qualifying he drove a time of 51.045 seconds, putting himself in the prime position for the heats. However, the youngster from Poland dropped back to third place following Saturday’s races, while the defending champion Mike van Vugt (JJ Racing) established himself at the top of the ranking.

From then on, the Dutchman, who had already won the RMC Euro Trophy Open at Genk, was unstoppable! He won both finals, thus securing the day's victory impressively. Swedish driver Wilgot Edqvist (Strawberry Racing) prevailed as runner-up and Oli Pylka (Dan Holland Racing) from Poland took third place, with qualifying pole-sitter Marcel Surmacz finishing in a close fourth position.

 

Seniors: Brilliant Show by Mathilda Olsson

With 51 participants, the seniors represented the biggest grid of the weekend. Already from qualifying practice, the field was extremely balanced with no less than 47 pilots separated by only one second. The outstanding driver was Ilian Bruynseels (Bouvin Power). The Belgian set the fastest lap with 50.011 seconds and a leading gap of only 0.062 seconds, which gave him pole position for his heats.

That afternoon, however, Mathilda Olsson (Strawberry Racing) made her way to the top. The fast Swede prevailed in both qualifying races securing the best chance for the decisive finals. And indeed, the Tony Kart pilot seized her opportunity to claim the victory: In the first final she won by a gap of over seven seconds over Rotax Euro Trophy Open winner Ilian Bruynseels and the Finn Lauri Leppae (Tony Kart). The action got even more exciting in the second final, in which the very competitive lady driver had to fight hard against her male opponents who were pushing from the lights. Ultimately, she fought back to the lead to remain unbeaten again – this time in front of the Frenchman Cesar Gazeau (Daems Racing Team) and the Brit Kai Hunter (Alonso) – to take the victory in the overall classification. Cesar Gazeau finished second on the podium, while Ilian Bruynseels was able to hang onto third place despite a time penalty for a jump start in Final 2.

 

DD2: Double victory for Bezel brothers

On the Rotax DD2 grid, the close competition saw some great racing unfold amongst the field. After the Swiss driver Jan Schwitter (FM Racing) set the pace with a best time of 49.879 seconds in qualifying, the Austrian Nico Joerg (KSCA Sodi Austria Team) took the reins after the heats. But behind him, his teammate Jakub Bezel (KSCA Sodi Austria Team) heralded his coming, improving from fifth place in the qualifying to second place in the combined heats’ results merge.

And indeed, the Czechs' momentum was not over yet! The Sodi driver was relentless in his campaign, eventually winning both finals, which boosted him right onto the top of the podium in the day standings. Behind him, his elder brother Petr Bezel (KSCA Sodi Austria Team) made it a doubly successful result for their family and the team of KSCA Sodi Austria. In third place, the Belgian Xander Przybylak (Bouvin Power) completed the podium. Nico Joerg, who had actually been on course for a podium position, missed out due to a false start and the resulting time penalty. He had to settle for fourth place in the end. 

 

DD2 Masters: Roberto Pesevski dominates

Roberto Pesevski (KSCA Sodi Austria Team) dominated the event of the Rotax DD2 Masters pilots. Beginning with the qualifying, the Austrian showed the best pace, winning both heats and the two finals. In the ongoing race battles for positions right up to the checkered flag, the best-supporting roles were played by the German Michael Becker (RS Competition) and the Belgian Christophe Adams (Team LA Putrel), who took the podium places in the mentioned order.

After the exciting first trial of strength, the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy is already looking forward to the next race weekend to reignite the highly-competitive international contest. For the upcoming event, the championship will go north from July 12-14. The Asum Ring of Kristianstad in Sweden will host the summer edition, which equally marks the halfway mark of the season. With a total of 7 tickets at stake for the prestigious Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals at Sarno (ITA) for the leading RMC Euro Trophy drivers in 2019, the quest for the title victories will definitely be an exciting weekend of racing.

 

Rate this article:
No rating
Comments (0)Number of views (8754)
Print