In increasingly hot weather, the 343 drivers competing in the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy contested 36 Qualifying Heats before tackling the Super Heats on Saturday morning to select the finalists in the six categories who will compete on the afternoon of Saturday 19th July at Le Mans.
The intensity of the races never let up, and there was no shortage of excitement in all categories. With races that remained uncertain until the finish line, countless overtakes, great sportsmanship, mounting tension and twists and turns, all the elements were in place for a great competition in the true spirit of Rotax. The heatwave on Friday was challenging for the drivers, with temperatures exceeding 30°C, but the Mojo tyres completed their mission. The day ended in a warm, festive atmosphere with a driver's parade followed by a cocktail party for everyone.
Micro Max: Page in the lead
Thanks to his two victories, Charlie Page (GBR – KR/Rotax) took the lead in the Micro Max heats ahead of Masiokas Benediktas (GBR – Gillard/Rotax) and pole woman Ava Lawrence (UAE - Tony Kart/Rotax). Dhian Singh Pahal (GBR – Rce/Rotax) came back to 4th ahead of Jaimy Septier (FRA – Praga/Rotax), while Alfie Garrett (GBR – Gillard/Rotax) moved up nine places to 6th. Albi-Jay Stubbs (GBR – KR/Rotax) dropped to 8th behind Guido Ebergenyi (UAE – Kosmic/Rotax) following a technical disqualification in the final heat.
Spencer takes the lead in Mini Max
Pole sitter Emerson Macandrew-Uren (GBR – LN/Rotax) first retired on lap three of the first heat before being delayed on the final lap of the second. His victory in the third heat allowed him to save his place in the top 10. Oliver Spencer (GBR – KR/Rotax) finished in the lead ahead of Riley Murro (GBR – KR/Rotax) after a thrilling battle. Alfie Ward (UAE – Gillard/Rotax) held on to 3rd place ahead of Alfie Mair (GBR – Gillard/Rotax). Tom Read (GBR - Tony Kart/Rotax) moved up to 5th and Joshua Cooke (GBR – Kosmic/Rotax) to 6th ahead of Lucien Smith (GBR – Kosmic/Rotax), who moved up 18 places.
Reuvers leads in Junior Max
The situation proved complex in Junior Max. Consistency paid off for Jeremy Reuvers (ESP - LN/Rotax), who moved up from 8th to 1st place ahead of Harry Freeman (GBR - Kosmic/Rotax), who was also consistent in his efforts. Despite a poor start in the first heat, Mate Kobakhidze (GEO - LN/Rotax) still managed to finish P3 ahead of Kai Clarke (GBR - KR/Rotax) and Conor Clancy (UAE - KR/Rotax), who climbed 18 places. Jacob Ashcroft (GBR - LN/Rotax) finished 7th behind Boaz Maximov (NLD - Tony Kart/Rotax) due to a retirement in his second heat, which was not compensated for by his two victories. Gabriel Canal (Redspeed/Rotax) remained the top Frenchman in 8th place ahead of Archie Lovatt (GBR - KR/Rotax), who moved up 11 places, and Dragos Avasilcutei (AUT - Tony Kart/Rotax), who was penalised in the final heat.
Périgny retains the lead in Senior Max
Six winners were crowned in the Senior Max Qualifying Heats at Le Mans. Among them, the top three won three times each. Simon Périgny (FRA - KR/Rotax) remained at the top of the category, while Lewis Goff (GBR - KR/Rotax) moved up from 12th to 2nd place ahead of Matthew Higgins (GBR - LN/Rotax) and Toms Strele (LAT - Tony Kart/Rotax). Meanwhile, Macauley Bishop (GBR – LN/Rotax) climbed from 38th to 5th place ahead of Mehdi Lassoued (FRA – Sodi/Rotax). Tino Sidler (SWI - LN/Rotax) had three wins, but a retirement at the start of the last race saw him drop to 7th place. Titouan Lescalié (FRA - Tony Kart/Rotax) moved up 20 places to 8th ahead of Lloyd Hare (GBR - LN/Rotax) and Paul Grisel (FRA – Kosmic/Rotax). Sean Butcher (Kosmic/Rotax) and Lewis Gilbert (CS55/Rotax) made incredible comebacks to finish 12th and 13th after their setbacks in Qualifying.
Knopjes scores a clean sweep in DD2 Max
Pole sitter Sem Knopjes (NLD - LN/Rotax) simply racked up three consecutive victories to remain at the top of the DD2 Max category ahead of Jakub Bezel (CZE - Tony Kart/Rotax). Christian Baumgartner (AUT - Birel ART/Rotax) climbed to 3rd place ahead of Knud Nielsen (DNK - Tony Kart/Rotax), followed by Baptiste Schneider (FRA – Gillard/Rotax), who moved up 10 places, and Will Elswood (GBR - LN/Rotax), who gained 16 positions. Winner of his first heat, Hugo Dupont (FRA - Birel ART/Rotax) then dropped back to 10th place.
DD2 Masters: Zughella leads ahead of De Ruwe
On Friday evening, after three Qualifying Heats, Argentina's Gabriel Zughella (Birel ART/Rotax) was still leading the DD2 Masters category thanks to two victories. Only Slovenia's Xen De Ruwe (Tony Kart/Rotax) had managed to win too and move up to 2nd place. Charles Seguin (FRA - Tony Kart/Rotax) and Jack Dex (GBR - MS Kart/Rotax) followed with equal points, while Maxime Gravouille (FRA - Kosmic/Rotax) moved up to 5th ahead of Jérémy Brassler (FRA - LN/Rotax) and Robert Schlünssen (DNK - Tony Kart/Rotax). Ranked 8th, Vivien Cussac Picot (FRA - Tony Kart/Rotax) was disqualified in the first heat for being underweight.
Provisional schedule
Saturday 19th July
07:45 - 08:54: Warm-up
09:17 - 12:23: Super Heats
14:00 - 17:00: Finals
18:00: Prize draw and podium ceremonies