The long-awaited week has finally arrived: this weekend, the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy kicks off at the Prokart Raceland in Wackersdorf.
The European Rotax season, which already saw the conclusion of the Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series (held on two of the four brand-new tracks for 2025, Cremona Circuit and Leopard Circuit Viterbo), now lands at one of the sport’s most iconic championship venues: Wackersdorf.
Five categories are set to take the stage, from the Mini MAX (German Cup by Mini MAX), which will award the season’s first ticket to the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals, to the DD2 Masters, including the Junior MAX, Senior MAX, and DD2 classes. Record-breaking numbers are expected, with a total of 265 entries ready to battle it out for victory across the five categories.
In Mini MAX, where reigning champion Albert Friend has moved up to Junior MAX, the showdown between Tom Read (Privateer) and Oliver Spencer (KR Sport) —who went head-to-head right up to the final round of the Winter Series—is set to be reignited. But it won’t be a two-man fight, as Alfie Ward (MLC Motorsport), Alfie Mair (Privateer), Jef Verbeke (Bouvin Power), and Marc Quessada (MKC Motorsport) have all already proven to be strong contenders.
Predicting a clear narrative in Junior MAX is no easy task, with several drivers in contention. Among the favorites are Winter Series champion Harry Freeman (KR Sport), as well as Kai Clarke (KR Sport) and Shun Sekiguchi (Dan Holland Racing). Also worth watching are Viterbo poleman Mate Kobakhidze (Dan Holland Racing)and the talented rookie Albert Friend (Strawberry Racing).
In Senior MAX, last year’s winner, Matthew Higgins (Dan Holland Racing), leaves behind a significant legacy. However, successors are in no short supply, with over 100 drivers on the entry list. Key names include Winter Series champion Sean Butcher (KR Sport), Italy’s Lorenzo Giaquinto (MKC Motorsport) - 2nd at Wackersdorf last year - and fast girl Lizzy Mentier (Dan Holland Racing), who claimed pole position in the rainy Viterbo.
The DD2 and DD2 Masters grids are strong as well, with 32 and 7 drivers respectively. In DD2, Lenn Nijs (Schepers Racing) - off to a very competitive season beginning - will be aiming to continue his winning streak, but will face stiff competition from Ragnar Veerus (Kartletix) and Jakub Bezel (Kraft Motorsport), who proved formidable in both Cremona and Viterbo. In DD2 Masters, Nicolas Picot (Privateer) and Xen De Ruwe (SSC) will meet two tough rivals once again: Fabian Block (Kraft Motorsport) and Martynas Tankevicius (Privateer).
The weekend schedule follows the well-established format, with two days of practice (Wednesday and Thursday), followed by qualifying and the first heats on Friday. Saturday will wrap up the heat races, while Sunday is set for the final phase of the event with Prefinals and Finals.
The timetable
- Wednesday, April 23: Free practices starting at 08:30 AM.
- Thursday, April 24: Free practices starting at 08:30 AM.
- Friday, April 25: Free Practices starting at 08:10 AM; from 11:30 AM Qualifying Practices; from 1.40 PM Heats.
- Saturday, April 26: Warm Up starting at 08:20 AM; from 09:50 AM Heats
- Sunday, April 27: from 08:45 AM Warm-up; from 10:40 AM Prefinals, from 2.15 PM Finals.
On Sunday, April 27, the Pre-finals and Finals will be broadcast live on TV through Live Streaming.