The engines are running, the paddock is buzzing, and the action has finally begun! Following an exciting opening weekend, the 2026 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals officially kicked off its on-track programme today with the first Non-Qualifying Practice sessions at the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão.

The Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy Le Mans has delivered another exciting week of highly competitive racing in France from July 13-18. The European edition of the RMCIT now leads in attendance on the Rotax Racing calendar, where competitors use their own or team-supplied equipment. Surpassed only by the RMC Grand Finals in entries, the worldwide interest still grows after eight years.

In excellent weather conditions, the superb organisation by 3MK Events, in collaboration with BRP-Rotax, enabled the 370 drivers from 47 nations across five continents competing in the 2026 Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy to take part in an intense and spectacular competition at the Le Mans circuit.

A sunny and mild Sunday marked the conclusion of the Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series, celebrating new round winners and overall champions. Victories on the day went to Oliver Spencer (KR Sport), Shun Sekiguchi (Dan Holland Racing), Sean Butcher (KR Sport), Lenn Nijs (Schepers Racing), and Nicolas Picot (Privateer).

The 2025 season is officially underway, and a rainy Friday has crowned the first polemen of the year.

It’s Finals Day at the Circuito Internazionale di Napoli in Sarno, Italy. After a week of hard-fought racing, it was time to crown champions at the 2024 RMC Grand Finals. Drivers from around the world battled one last time to have the chance to bask in the glory and fame of winning one of the most significant karting events around the world. Leaving the circuit tonight as a champion could change your life for the future. For some, it has been a week of success. For others, they are already focusing on earning an invitation to the 2025 RMC Grand Finals.

The day started under cool and calm conditions at the Circuito Internazionale di Napoli in Sarno, Italy, but the track action heated up throughout the day, concluding with three Qualifying Practice sessions. Setting the grids in Micro MAX, Mini MAX, and MAX DD2 Masters, the remaining classes will qualify tomorrow, with wheel-to-wheel action to follow. Of note, Non-Qualifying Practice 6 for Junior MAX Even, Senior MAX Odd and Even, MAX DD2 Odd and Even were cancelled today due to heavy rain, as those classes still have Non-Qualifying Practice 7 tomorrow morning.

The RMC Grand Finals 2024 roared to life today at 09:00 with the Non-Qualifying Practice Sessions for all categories, held at the legendary Circuito Internazionale di Napoli. Under perfect weather conditions, all drivers were seen fine-tuning their skills on the track, setting the stage for an exciting week of racing action.

After very changeable conditions during yesterday’s first on track action with a hint of sunshine from time to time, all 394 competitors from the 60 nations represented here this week would head out onto the circuit to be challenged during the first set of Non-Qualifying Practices.

We look back at yesterday, when the 2022 RMC Grand Finals were truly opened via the Welcome Briefing in the morning. 394 drivers received their brand new karts through the customary raffle on the main start-finish straight underneath the beautifully sunlit Portuguese skyline. Along with that, drivers would also head to the nearby Autodromo Internacional do Algarve for the mandatory briefings that afternoon, with the paddock tent being a busy hive of activity all day long as the brand-new karts would be prepared fully, with every nut and bolt tightened and fastened.

The first decisions have been made in the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy. More than 200 drivers started in Genk, Belgium last weekend and kicked-off the racing season of the highly-competitive karting championship. In the best weather, the numerous spectators enjoyed lots of racing action and the first winners of the year were celebrated in the seven Rotax categories. Four drivers achieved double victories in Sunday’s Finals.

The welcoming morning breeze in Sakhir not only provided a cooling sensation to the already hot temperatures around the 1.414-km circuit but also brought along the air of heightened anticipation for what was to transpire today, amidst the sands of the Persian Gulf.

On this 5th Day of the RMC Grand Finals in Bahrain we saw a lot of exciting action on the track and very motivated racers throughout the whole event area. Yesterday’s racing was very crucial to see where drivers would place for today’s Pre-Finals, as the combination from the intense 27-degree heat at its highest, the general atmosphere and the sheer racing action and thrilling fights would heighten both, the emotions of everyone at the circuit and those watching on from the official Live Stream. 

Following on from two days of Non-Qualifying Practice at the circuit, it was time to get the racing action underway amidst the sandy surroundings, with an increase in the air temperature at the track providing a perfect backdrop to the excitement of Qualifying Practice and the first set of Qualifying Heats for all competitors.

The Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy ended with spectacular Finals on the Le Mans circuit. The twelve races on the programme of this last day were full of intensity for the greatest enjoyment of all the participants.

The last day of the 2020 Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy was rich in spectacle and twists on the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve. Fought at 100% intensity on a dry track and in mixed conditions, the Finals showed the extraordinary competitiveness of the Rotax categories with top level participants coming from all over the world, despite a not particularly favourable health situation, before rewarding the big winners.

The weather improved greatly during the Prefinals of the Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy in Portimão and the variations in grip seen since the Qualifying Heats resulted in races as exciting as they were selective in all categories.

Originally scheduled at the height of summer in Le Mans, the 2nd edition of the Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy had to adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic like everyone else. Thanks to the important preparation work carried out by the 3MK Events team, the event could be rescheduled in Portugal from 8th to 13th December 2020. With nearly 230 participants and a rigorous health protocol, the competition is already shaping up to be a success as the Qualifying Practices have just been completed.