In superb weather that got hotter and hotter, the 318 drivers racing in the 2024 Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy contested 33 Qualifying Heats before tackling the Super Heats on Saturday morning and selecting the finalists in the six categories who will compete in the afternoon of Saturday 20th July in Le Mans.
Since Thursday afternoon, there has been a non-stop show on the 1,368 m of France's most famous track. Uncertain races right up to the finish line, countless overtaking manoeuvres, great sportsmanship, growing tension and twists and turns - all the elements were in place for a great competition meeting in the purest Rotax spirit. The heatwave on Friday was a real test for the drivers, with temperatures in excess of 30°. Race and tyre management were affected, but the Mojo tyres did not fail in their mission. The day ended in a warm and festive atmosphere with the drivers' parade followed by a cocktail party for all.
Micro Max: Cooke ahead of Oman
The Qualifying phase was hotly contested, with three different winners. Joshua Cooke (GBR - Kosmic/Rotax) managed to get the better of poleman Austin Oman (GBR - Exprit/Rotax), while Charlie Page (GBR - Synergy/Rotax) was 3rd ahead of Dominik Rozsa (HUN - Croc Promotion/Rotax). Atiqa Mir (ARE - LN/Rotax) moved up from 10th to 5th place with a historic victory for a woman from her country in the second heat. Ava Lawrence (ARE - Tony Kart/Rotax) confirmed the trend in 6th place ahead of Marc Andria Quesada (FRA - Tony Kart/Rotax) and Baptiste Agustin (FRA - Energy/Rotax).
Friend maintains his lead in Mini Max
Albert Friend (GBR - Tony Kart/Rotax) needed just two wins to maintain his lead in the category, while Jenson Chalk (GBR - Tony Kart/Rotax) climbed from 9th to 2nd place thanks to a victory. Tom Read (GBR - Tony Kart/Rotax) moved up to 3rd ahead of Zdenek Babicek (CZE - MSKart/Rotax) and Martin Soltys (SVK - Energy/Rotax) moved up nine places to 5th ahead of Emerson Macandrew-Uren (GBR - LN/Rotax) who retired at the start of the second heat.
Jeff-Hall leads in Senior Max
The eight winners in the category testify to the intensity of the battle on the track. Poleman Knud Nielsen (DNK - Tony Kart/Rotax) lost the lead to finish 8th when he was checked under the minimum weight in Heat A-F. Ethan Jeff-Hall (GBR - Exprit/Rotax) took the lead with his three victories over Lewis Gilbert (GBR - Tony Kart/Rotax), a two-time winner. Nolan Lemeray (FRA - EOS/Rotax) held on to 3rd place ahead of Matthew Higgins (GBR - LN/Rotax) and Jayden Thien (NLD - LN/Rotax), both of whom are improving. Arthur Robin (FRA - Gillard/Rotax) secured an interesting 6th place ahead of Simon Périgny (FRA - Tony Kart/Rotax), who moved up seven places. Tom Langlois (FRA - Tony Kart/Rotax) +8 places and Sverre Ubben (BEL - Exprit/Rotax) completed the top 10. Tom Billout (FRA - Tony Kart/Rotax) crashed out in the last heat and was 12th behind Macauley Bishop (GBR - LN/Rotax). Mateja Radenkovic (BEL - Tony Kart/Rotax) dropped back to 13th for a similar reason.
Barbaroux takes the lead in DD2 Max
Thanks to his two wins, Antoine Barbaroux (FRA - EOS/Rotax) took the lead on Saturday evening ahead of Lenn Nijs (BEL - KR/Rotax) and Imke Arts (NLD - KR/Rotax). Leon Mandl (AUT - Birel ART/Rotax) was 4th ahead of poleman Leonardo Baccaglini (ITA - KR/Rotax) and David Aulejtner (POL - KR/Rotax), while Xen De Ruwe (SVN - Tony Kart/Rotax) was 7th with one retirement and one win.
Thum remains in control in DD2 Max Masters
There were three different winners, but Denis Thum (CYP - Tony Kart/Rotax) maintained his advantage over Vivien Cussac-Picot (FRA - Tony Kart/Rotax) and Jack Dex (GBR - MSKart/Rotax.) Fabian Bock (DEU - Tony Kart/Rotax) followed in 4th place ahead of Andreas Brenkusch (AUT - Birel ART/Rotax), while Robert Schlunssen (DNK - Tony Kart/Rotax), 2nd on the timesheet, dropped back to 7th behind Nadir Kabagge (FRA - Kosmic/Rotax).
The Junior Max rankings are awaiting a decision from the sports commission until tomorrow.
Provisional programme
Saturday 20th July
08.00 - 09.17: Warm-up
09.32 - 12.56: Super Heats
13.55 - 17.07: Finals
18.00: Prize draw and podium ceremonies