Gunskirchen, Austria – Round 6 of the Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC) Sweden and Nordic Championship 2026 was once again included in the program at the historic Kanonloppet (Cannon Race) at Gelleråsen Arena on August 13-15, for drivers aged 14 years and over in the Rotax Senior MAX category. The top two competitors following the big weekend of racing were awarded a special Porsche 718 test day to experience the power of the GT car on the big track at the historic Karlskoga circuit.
The attraction for a record entry list of almost 50 drivers stems not only from the vital RMC series points at round 6 of 8 in the RMC Sweden, but also the chance to be honoured as the Nordic Champion at an iconic motorsport event like this one. As was the case for the front-runners across the finish line Sunday, it was about being part of the intense competition one more time and knowing it would be tough racing, where many former champions and title-holders join the grid to do battle. The glory belonged to Simon Ohlin (Sjöberg Racing Team-Birel/CL), making his maiden karting appearance for the season back with his team, with whom the Swede came close to a podium place at the RMC Grand Finals 2023 in Bahrain. Bastian Ensgård (AD Motorsport-Energy) secured the vice-champion’s title while Ohlin’s teammate Axel Palmgren (Birel), winner of Heat B in his group, took third after starting alongside the winner on row 3.
Going into the final, two national champions lined up on the front row, each having won their respective semi-finals earlier in the day: heat race winner Oliver Kinnmark (Gold Kart) and Hannes Morin (Sjöberg Racing Team-Birel). However, the standout performance on Saturday was the current RMC Sweden series leader Sebastian Hedin (AD Motorsport-Energy), top qualifier and unbeaten in the heats, to lead the intermediate ranking. Although he finished P6 overall, his sights are firmly set on becoming Swedish champ in 2026 to represent his country in Portugal at the RMCGF this November – and stepping up to the Porsche Sprint Challenge Cup Scandinavia.
As an annual motorsport favourite in Sweden, the Kanonloppet is the only event of the year where there is karting, car racing and motorcycles all taking place at the same venue. This creates an incredibly unique atmosphere, supported by numerous businesses and entertainment. This year, the podium for the RMC and Nordic Championship 2026 followed immediately after the Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia final and prize-giving ceremony, presenting the leading kart drivers to the thousands of fans watching on and local media, as they celebrated their success. The first-ever Rotax E10 E-Kart Mini class made its debut at the same event, and the prize-winners were up next, adding to the excitement for the youngest competitors racing.
“On behalf of our team at Radne and our valued partners, together with the organisation, we congratulate the winners, along with all the competitors and their supporting teams, for a brilliant weekend of racing. They have given Swedish motorsport fans the best show!” says Marie Radne, Radne Motor AB, Authorised Distributor for Rotax Kart products in Sweden. “The top two place-getters from the Nordic Championship 2026 have won a test day driving the Porsche 718 at Gel-leråsen Arena. This prize is in cooperation with Porsche Motorsport, and they each receive a new Sparco racesuit, which is required to wear during the test. It’s really a fantastic opportunity for our Rotax drivers to truly discover the thrill of getting behind the wheel of this amazing Porsche GT car – and with a coach. The winners are Simon Ohlin and Bastian Ensgård, who both made a one-off appearance at the Karlskoga event and actually did not compete this year, but are highly accomplished and experienced drivers.”
Since 2003, BRP-Rotax and Porsche Motorsport have partnered to bring together two of the world’s leading mono-brand race series, ultimately sharing the same values – precision, innovation and performance. This collaboration highlights how every racing career begins: one spark, one lap, one lifelong passion for speed. From local kart tracks to world-class endurance circuits, our partnership connects the beginning of the journey and the pinnacle of motorsport. Such initiatives open up the possibilities for karters to experience something they dream about.
Two rounds of the RMC Sweden are still to decide the championship, with Gothenburg (September 5-6) and the final stage of the series back at Gellerasen (September 26-27).
Livestream & results - Kanonloppet 2026 https://www.rotaxmaxchallenge.se/livestream/
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