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).
For Butcher, Nijs, and Picot, the win was doubled as they also clinched the overall titles in their respective categories, along with the coveted tickets. Tom Read (Privateer) and Harry Freeman (KR Sport) were crowned champions in Mini MAX and Junior MAX, respectively.
Spencer’s Stunning Comeback
Starting from ninth on the grid, Britain’s Oliver Spencer delivered a sensational comeback, securing victory with a last-lap overtake on rival Tom Read—sealing both the race win and the vice-champion title. Third place went to Marc Quessada of local team MKC Motorsport, while Alfie Garrett (MLC Racing) surged to fourth with another impressive recovery. Can Ozler (Bouvin Power) completed the top five.
In the championship standings, behind Read and Spencer, it was Alfie Ward (MLC Motorsport) who clinched third after being in the hunt for the win until lap 7. All three secured valuable tickets: Read won the full-season entry fee for the RMC Euro Trophy, Spencer earned entry for two rounds of the same series, and Ward took home a ticket to the Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy in Le Mans.
Sekiguchi Takes the Race, Freeman the Title
Drama kicked off the Junior MAX final as KR Sport’s Kai Clarke was handed a five-second penalty for an improper start, despite leading the race from lights to flag. The penalty handed the win to Japan’s Shun Sekiguchi, with Max Sadurski (SP Motorsport) and Mate Kobakhidze (Dan Holland Racing) joining him on the podium. Clarke and Dragos Avasilcutei (MKC Motorsport) rounded out the top five.
The championship titles and corresponding tickets went to Harry Freeman (KR Sport), who only needed a 12th-place finish to secure his crown and the free entry fee for the 2025 RMC Euro Trophy. Clarke took the ticket for two rounds of the RMCET, while Sekiguchi was awarded the ticket for the RMC International Trophy.
Butcher Puts the Cherry on Top
Sean Butcher wrapped up a near-perfect weekend, staying at the front throughout—except qualifying. Controlling tire degradation and managing the gap to his rivals, Butcher crossed the line after 18 laps to claim both the race win and the RMC Winter Series title. A late-race push from Dan Holland Racing’s Cameron Nelson and Lizzy Mentier added some pressure, but Butcher remained in control. Tino Sidler (Strawberry Racing) finished fourth, ahead of Sebastian Hedin (AD Motorsport) in fifth.
Butcher’s consistency earned him the championship and the full entry for the RMCET. Hedin’s solid results throughout secured him the vice-champion spot. A bumper penalty cost Kai Hunter (Hunter Motorsport) third place overall—and with it, the RMC International Trophy ticket, which instead went to Switzerland’s Sidler.
Nijs Claims Victory and the Title
Lenn Nijs was simply unstoppable at the Leopard Circuit. The Belgian dominated the DD2 field, taking both the race win and championship title. He was joined on the podium by Dutch driver Mika van de Pavert (SP Motorsport) and Will Elswood (Kraft Motorsport). Nijs secured the title ahead of Ragnar Veerus (Kartletix) and Jakub Bezel (Kraft Motorsport).
In DD2 Masters, Nicolas Picot continued his remarkable run with a sixth win in the last seven races across the RMC Winter Cup, RMC Euro Trophy, and RMC Winter Series. He was flanked on the podium by Xen De Ruwe (SCC) and Fabio Cretti (Privateer), who mirrored the same order in the championship standings.
With the Winter Series wrapped up, teams and drivers now turn their focus to the upcoming 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy, kicking off at Prokart Raceland in Wackersdorf during the week of April 27. Information, Standings, and Results at: www.rotaxmaxchallenge-eurotrophy.com