A persistent rain set the tone for the official opening day of racing at Prokart Raceland in Wackersdorf, host of Round 1 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy.
No fewer than 10 qualifying sessions were held to determine the starting grids for the five categories. From Mini MAX to DD2 Masters, here are the pole sitters: Emerson Macandrew-Uren (Mini MAX), Jacob Ashcroft (Junior MAX), Olivier Jonckers (Senior MAX), Tommie van der Struijs (DD2), and Fabian Bock (DD2 Masters).
Mini MAX – Macandrew-Uren steals the spotlight!
In a thrilling final lap, the British driver from Dan Holland Racing shocked the front-runners to claim pole in Group 1. However, Emerson’s joy was short-lived, as he was forced to retire on lap 5 of the opening heat. That same heat saw Oliver Spencer (KR Sport) take victory, followed by fellow Brits Alfie Mair (SFR Motorsport) and Max Jolly (Strawberry Racing). The other heat of the day was won by Tom Read (SFR Motorsport).
Junior MAX – Welcome back, Jacob
A standout from last season’s RMCET and absent during the Winter Series, Jacob Ashcroft (Dan Holland Racing) returned in top form, taking pole in Group 1 ahead of teammate Shun Sekiguchi, who led Group 2. Ashcroft also claimed victory in the first heat, while Sekiguchi finished fourth behind Rayan Ghandour (KR Sport) and Cole Denholm (Privateer). In heat C-D, Boaz Maximov led a Bouvin Power one-two ahead of Belgian teammate Vince Vanderhallen.
Senior MAX – Jonckers tops the 101!
With a lap of 1:03.831, Olivier Jonckers (DAEMS Racing) emerged fastest out of a massive 101-driver field. Setting his time in the first of four sessions, Jonckers went on to claim two P2 finishes in the heats. Heat victories were shared among Sean Butcher (KR Sport), reigning RMC Winter Series champion, who doubled up, Lewis Goff (Sam Pollit Racing), Macauley Bishop (Dan Holland Racing), Lewis Gilbert (Kraft Motorsport), and Laurent Legault (KR Sport).
DD2/DD2 Masters – Bock sets the pace!
A repeat of Viterbo’s storyline in DD2/DD2 Masters, but with a new lead character: DD2 Masters driver Fabian Bock (Kraft Motorsport) set the overall fastest lap. The German took full advantage of the track conditions to end the year-long unbeaten streak of Nicolas Picot, who finished second in DD2 Masters. The top DD2 driver was Kraft Motorsport’s Tommie van der Struijs, who went on to win the first of two heats. The second was taken by Austrian driver Manuel Tenschert (Birelart by KSB).
For information, standings, and results, visit: www.rotaxmaxchallenge-eurotrophy.com