Gunskirchen, Austria – The Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy Asia 2026 was successfully contested on January 20-25 in Macau, where more than 20 nations were represented throughout Australasia, Europe and other regions. In its premier appearance, the demanding 1,203-metre Coloane Kart Circuit provided the ideal venue for the high-profile championship, resulting in the most competitive edition of the event to date. New winners were crowned in seven categories from as many countries, and the first RMC Grand Finals 2026 tickets were awarded. Macau delivered both a historic and memorable week!
When it came to the track action, there was a level of skill, preparation and sportsmanship that was evident from the teams and drivers. In the racing, being very precise and smooth was the way to conquer Coloane, with intense competition in every class under varying conditions. Five RMCGF 2026 tickets were won in Rotax Mini MAX, Junior MAX, Senior MAX, DD2 and DD2 Masters to take on the leading Rotax drivers from around the globe on November 21-28 at another of the best venues, Kartodromo Internacional do Algarve at Portimao in Portugal.
Micro MAX – Top qualifier for the youngest category was Japan’s Louis Mikami, who edged out the Danish entry Khloe Flora Malling Sorense. Daniel Yoon (KOR) and Adam Dion Asp took race honours in the two heats following to start the Super Heat on the front row. However, it was Xinghao Wang (CHN) who claimed victory Sunday morning, ahead of Mikami and D. Yoon after the wheel-to-wheel action. In the Final, Yoon made his move for P1 early and set the pace, Mikami sitting on his rear bumper until the drag race to the line. The South Korean became the first Micro MAX champion in Macau, securing his entry to the RMCIT Europe at Le Mans in July. Dion Asp completed the podium.
Mini MAX – Team UK’s Alfie Mair sealed the maiden RMCGF ticket for 2026 when he won the first of almost 400 places available for the Portimao showdown. After taking pole position by 0.2 seconds, the 11-year-old remained unbeaten in each of his races. Isaac Yoon (KOR) finished 2nd in the Super Heat, along with a great drive by Lev Khovanskii (KGZ) for P3. A close battle unfolded between Mair and Albi-Jay Stubbs (UAE) in the Final until an attempt to pass in the last lap gave I. Yoon has the chance to snatch P2 and try for the win. But it was Mair who controlled proceedings and clocked the best lap, continuing his impressive run.
Junior MAX – The competition was also closely fought in Juniors, with a dramatic ending to change the order of the podium. The most likely contenders shared the limelight during the racing, with numerous nations in the running. China’s Sihan Zeng took pole position from Aaryan Singh (UAE) and Aussie Jay Kostecki. The Emirates driver sealed a heat victory, as did Japan’s Takeru Shimbashi, but it was Morven Liu Bowen who topped the rankings and then won the Super Heat from Kostecki and Singh. Yet Kostecki took the chequered flag after an eventful Final that saw several of the potential front-runners fall out of the equation. Post-race penalties handed the title to surprise winner Peerapongpan Sutumno to confirm his place at the RMCGF for team Thailand. A disappointed Kostecki was P2 and Shimbashi 3rd.
Senior MAX – The full grid was jam-packed with an exceptional line-up combining both Asian and international racers. Quickest in official timed practice from the even-numbered group was You-de Lu (ITA), and Zijun Zhao (CHN) was the fastest of the odd numbers. The Chinese driver [running on an Italian licence] then won two heats and Super Heat A to remain the poleman for the final. Fellow countryman Zijun Zhao was a double race winner as well, with Kristian Sejersen (DEN) and Toby Gale (THA) claiming one victory each. Joining the pole-sitter on row 1, Super Heat B winner Taigen Sagano (JPN) found no joy on the outside to start the Final. Instead, Tobias Normann (DEN) took the lead briefly until Lu regained his position. Gale was unlucky in his Super Heat, so started from P10, but put in an impressive performance to finish 2nd ahead of Normann. Japan’s Timofey Degtyarev and Ka Po Yu of Hong Kong rounded out the top 5. Lu was proud to be rewarded with the RMCIT Asia champion’s title and excited to be returning to the RMC Grand Finals in November with one goal – to be the Rotax world #1.
Senior MAX Masters – The star of the MAX Masters was Murai Kensuke. The Japanese driver drove a faultless weekend at the challenging Coloane Kart Circuit, rising to the top of the timesheet and controlling every race. Chinese Taipei pairing Hsin Ho and Chien-Chih Hung ranked best following the heats, each taking 2nd and 3rd place in the lead-up to Sunday; the latter fairing best behind Kensuke in the Super Heat. The glory was Kensuke’s for the taking in the Final as he crossed the line with a gap of more than six seconds for the victory. Competing the podium after a brilliant battle to the flag were Ho and Chun-Yu Yeh (TPE).
MAX DD2 – Two of the world’s leading Rotax drivers, both former Grand Finals champions and teammates in Macau, once again stoked their friendly rivalry in the 2-speed gearbox class. The Nordic title-holders returned to Asia for the RMCIT in search of a warmer climate. Axel Saarniala (FIN) outpaced Ragnar Veerus (EST) in qualifying when the temperature dropped Friday, then each claimed a heat race win to be on equal points ahead of Thai driver Worawong Komarakul. The Estonian excelled in Sunday’s Super Heat to start from pole beside the Finn in the Final, getting the jump to lead with 20 laps to go. Saarniala lost ground momentarily until closing the gap to 0.5 seconds, ultimately unable to challenge pace-setter Veerus for the win, the title and RMCGF ticket. In P3 was defending RMCIT Asia champion and their teammate Sheng-Ya Hong (TPE).
MAX DD2 Masters – The DD2 Masters was dominated by privateer Yan Vonzanok (KGZ), drawing on his career experience on every count – from Qualifying to the Final. Reigning RMCGF champion Martynas Tankevicius, consistently inside the top 5, soon led in the early stages of the Final before being sidelined with a mechanical issue. It was just what Vonzanok needed. The fantastic dice for minor places also aided his campaign. Kazuma Kimura (JPN) repeated the 2nd place he achieved in the Super Heat to beat Cheng-Yang Tsai (TPE) to the line.
“The RMCIT Asia 2026 was a significant achievement, reinforcing the growing popularity of karting in the region and providing an excellent platform for drivers to showcase their talent while gaining valuable experience,” says Orawat ‘Chang’ Tantivejkul, Managing Director of Moment Media Thailand. “As race organisers, we would like to express our gratitude to the President of the AAMC for their guidance and continuous support, which played a vital role. Their encouragement and commitment to motorsport development greatly contributed to the quality and professionalism of the event. The officials, marshals and organisational team ensured the priority of the safety protocols and regulations, along with the support we had from the volunteers, teams, sponsors and partners that further strengthened the success. We extend our sincere appreciation to BRP-Rotax and our neighbouring Rotax network partners.”
In 2022, the RMC Asia Festival in Malaysia marked the beginning of a new era in the region before the initial RMCIT Asia was held in Thailand last year. Now Macau has not only made history in Rotax returning to Coloane Kart Circuit and playing host to the international RMCIT event, but it will continue to build on the foundations of this exciting initiative again in 2027.
“We have started the year in a very strong way, with a fantastic race in Macau for the Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy Asia,” says Stefan Gruber, Manager Rotax OEM Business. “The event once again confirmed the strength of the Asian region, both in terms of participation and sporting level. We are also pleased to confirm that we will return to Macau next year, fully aligned with the AAMC. This is an important step for continuity and the future. It represents a magnificent prelude to the Rotax racing season and clearly underlines our ongoing commitment.”
Results – https://aamcauto.org.mo/web/race/round/5/15/119