The ProKart Raceland in Wackersdorf once again confirmed itself as the perfect playground for Rotax Racing, hosting an unforgettable Round 1 of the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy. Last weekend, the first winners of the 2025 season were crowned.
Trophies went to Alfie Mair (Mini MAX), Cole Denholm (Junior MAX), Lewis Gilbert (Senior MAX), Jakub Bezel (DD2), and Nicolas Picot (DD2 Masters). The action-packed weekend started early. Rain arrived on Friday after two days of dry practice, shaking up the field and setting the tone for an unpredictable event.
Mini MAX – SFR Motorsport Dominates with Mair and Read
Mini MAX was the first category to tackle the tricky wet conditions on Friday. Emerson Macandrew-Uren (Dan Holland Racing) made a strong statement, grabbing provisional pole with a stunning last-lap effort. But a tough opening heat derailed Emerson’s momentum, pushing him outside the top 10 despite two top-three finishes later on.
Alfie Mair (SFR Motorsport) seized the moment, racking up a second-place and two wins in the heats to take control. Mair edged ahead of rival Oliver Spencer (KR Sport) heading into the finals. While both played it safe in the Pre-Final, the Final was pure fireworks.
Spencer struggled off the line but fought back heroically to P9, while Mair kept his cool up front, holding off teammate Tom Read and Austin Oman (Sam Pollitt Racing) to secure victory and a ticket to the 2025 Rotax Grand Finals.
Mini MAX Final
1. Alfie Mair
2. Tom Read
3. Austin Oman
Junior MAX – Denholm Turns Strategy into Victory
Jacob Ashcroft (Dan Holland Racing) looked unstoppable in qualifying, clocking the fastest time ahead of teammate Shun Sekiguchi and Boaz Maximov (Bouvin Power). The trio kept their momentum through the heats, with Ashcroft leading thanks to his consistent finishes. However, Cole Denholm (Dan Holland Racing) was quietly climbing the ranks, moving up to fourth after the heats.
On Sunday, Denholm unleashed his true pace, pulling off a stunning double win, dominating both the Pre-Final and the Final after a hard-fought 14-lap scrap. Ashcroft had to settle for second, while Rory Armstrong (Dan Holland Racing) inherited third after Vince Vanderhallen (Bouvin Power) was penalized for an irregular move.
Junior MAX
1. Cole Denholm
2. Jacob Ashcroft
3. Rory Armstrong
Championship Standings
1. Cole Denholm 159
2. Jacob Ashcroft 155
3. Boaz Maximov 154
Senior MAX – Gilbert Strikes and Controls the Field
Senior MAX once again delivered a full show, with 101 drivers lighting up the track. Olivier Jonckers (DAMES) mastered the wet conditions to top Friday’s qualifying. But bad luck struck: a costly DNF in the heats dropped him out of the top spots, opening the door for Sean Butcher (KR Sport) and Lewis Gilbert (Kraft Motorsport).
Gilbert made the most of his opportunity. A perfect launch in the Final saw him snatch the lead from Butcher and never look back. Tino Sidler (Strawberry Racing) charged through the field to grab second, while Butcher fell down the order. Final results remain Sub Judice pending official confirmation.
Senior MAX
1. Lewis Gilbert
2. Tino Sidler
3. Sean Butcher
Championship Standings
1. Lewis Gilbert 162
2. Sean Butcher 160
3. Cameron Nelson 149
DD2/Masters – Bezel and Picot Shine
In DD2, Fabian Bock (Kraft Motorsport) shocked the field on Friday, becoming the second Masters driver ever to claim overall pole. But by Sunday, the Kraft Motorsport squad had tightened its grip, with Jakub Bezel leading the way through the heats and finals.
Bezel completed a perfect weekend, winning both the Pre-Final and the Final and securing Kraft Motorsport’s second victory of the day. Behind him, Tommie van der Struijs and Manuel Tenschert completed the podium.
In DD2 Masters, Nicolas Picot was once again the star of the show. Starting from the back, he produced a stunning recovery drive, climbing 11 places to win his class and finish an impressive fifth overall.
With early retirements for contenders Xen De Ruwe (SSC) and Fabian Bock, the remaining Masters podium spots went to Dimo Notarfrancesco (Kart Team Meier) and Maurits Knopjes (DAEMS Racing).
DD2
1. Jakub Bezel
2. Tommie van der Struijs
3. Manuel Tenschert
Championship Standings
1. Jakub Bezel 162
2. Tommie van der Struijs 154
3. Manuel Tenschert 154
DD2 Masters
1. Nicolas Picot
2. Dimo Notarfrancesco
3. Maurits Knopjes (DAEMS Racing).
Championship Standings
1. Nicolas Picot 160
2. Fabian Bock 153
Xen De Ruwe 153
The battle resumes in just over a month at Steel Ring Trinec, with Round 2 of the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy scheduled for June 8th!