The Rotax racing season in Europe officially kicks off once again at KartCenter Campillos, as the Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Cup returns to its traditional home for the 2026 edition. A venue that has become synonymous with the Winter Cup over the years, Campillos will host the first major showdown of the new season.
Scheduled from January 6 to January 10, the event will see five categories in action: Mini MAX, Junior MAX, Senior MAX, DD2 and DD2 Masters. Across five days of intense on-track activity, drivers will battle not only for race victories, but also for the first and most prestigious seasonal rewards offered by Rotax Racing and WSK Promotion.
As tradition dictates, the Winter Cup prizes represent a major incentive for competitors at every level. In each category, the winner will secure a free entry to all four Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy events, while second place will be awarded free entry to two RMCET rounds. Third place finishers will earn a free entry ticket to the RMC International Trophy, underlining the strategic importance of the Winter Cup in shaping the season ahead.
The 2026 Winter Cup once again confirms its truly global appeal. A total of 31 nations will be represented on the grid, with no fewer than 14 countries coming from outside Europe.
KartCenter Campillos is one of Southern Europe’s benchmark karting venues, featuring a CIK/FIA-homologated circuit designed to meet the highest international standards. The track measures 1,580 metres, making it the longest karting circuit in southern Spain, and is known for its technical and demanding layout.
Recently resurfaced, the circuit combines long straights, fast corners and technical sections, with a consistent 10-metre width and a clockwise configuration that rewards precision, race craft and consistency. Thanks to its high-level infrastructure and paddock facilities, Campillos remains a reference venue for major international karting events.
Event Schedule:
Tuesday, January 6, and Wednesday, January 7: Free practices starting at 8:30 AM.
Thursday, January 8: 8:45 AM Free Practices; 11:10 AM Non Qualifying Practices; 12:20 AM Qualifying Practices; 2:40 PM Heats.
Friday, January 9: 8:45 AM Warm-up; 11:40 AM Heats.
Saturday, January 10: 8:45 AM Warm-up;
Live Streaming from 10:30 AM for Pre-finals and 1:00 PM for Finals (DD2-Masters at 1:00 PM, Mini MAX at 1:30 PM, Junior MAX at 2:00 PM, Senior MAX at 2:30 PM).
With Finals scheduled for Saturday, January 10, the week promises a compact and intense sporting programme, setting the tone for the entire RMCET season to come.