Friday marked the first full competitive day of the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy at the Prokart Raceland Wackersdorf, with eight qualifying sessions crowning the pole sitters across the five categories, followed by 12 heats that officially opened the second phase of the weekend ahead of Sunday’s Finals.
Several outsiders emerged throughout the day, most notably Slovak driver Martin Soltys (KRK Racing), who secured pole position in Junior MAX. Jeremy Reuvers (Karting Club Campillos) once again confirmed himself among the fastest drivers in Senior MAX, while Joshua Cooke (KR Sport) topped Mini MAX. In DD2 and DD2 Masters, pole positions went to Ragnar Veerus (Lenktyniu Linija) in DD2 and Nicolas Picot (Privateer) in DD2 Masters.
Senior MAX - Jeremy Reuvers (Karting Club Campillos) immediately set the benchmark in the first qualifying group, making it clear he was among the fastest of the 90-driver Senior MAX field. The efforts of Titouan Lescalie (Strawberry Racing), quickest in the second group, and Tom Langlois (GKart53) ultimately proved insufficient, as Reuvers’ lap of 49.671secured overall pole position.
The opening heats further confirmed the competitiveness of the category. Reuvers also won the first two heats of the day, while Freddie Lloyd and Tereza Babickova — both representing Dan Holland Racing — also secured two victories each.
Junior MAX - Luan Seidl (KR Sport) topped the first qualifying group, where Zdenek Babicek and Harry Taylor of Dan Holland Racing remarkably set identical lap times behind him. The second group, however, proved quicker overall, with Martin Soltys (KRK Racing) outperforming Cremona pole sitter Majus Mazinas (KR Sport) to secure overall pole position.
The heats saw Zdenek Babicek (Dan Holland Racing) continue the strong form of the Babicek family after Tereza’s victories in Senior MAX, while the second heat win went to teammate Rares Pascu (Dan Holland Racing).
Mini MAX - Joshua Cooke (KR Sport) claimed pole position in the German Euro Cup Mini MAX. The British driver, already winner of the first 2026 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals ticket in Cremona, edged out Mik Klinkers (Bouvin Power). Despite setting the fastest lap in the second qualifying group, James Roots (Dan Holland Racing) fell short of securing overall pole.
Cooke also converted his qualifying pace into victory in the opening heat, while the second race of the category was won by Klinkers.
DD2/DD2 Masters - In DD2, Ragnar Veerus (Lenktyniu Linija) outpaced Austrian driver Leon Mandl (Birelart by KSB Racing) and reigning champion Jakub Bezel (Kraft Motorsport) to secure pole position. In DD2 Masters, Nicolas Picot (Privateer)once again remained unbeaten, continuing his strong run of form in the category.
The DD2 heat victories were shared between Veerus and Bezel, while in DD2 Masters, the wins went to Picot and Mirko Gervasoni (MB Motorsport).
With qualifying completed and the first heats already underway, the busiest day of the weekend is now in the books. Attention now turns to Saturday’s Qualifying Heats, which will determine the starting grids for the decisive final phase of the event.
Event Timetable
Saturday, May 2: 8:30 AM Warm-up; 10:00 AM Heats.
Sunday, May 3: 8:45 AM Warm-up; Live on TV and Live Streaming from 10:20 AM for Pre-finals and 1:40 PM for Finals (DD2-Masters at 1:40 PM, Mini MAX at 2:10 PM, Junior MAX at 2:40 PM, Senior MAX at 3:10 PM).