The long day of heats at Round 2 of the Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series has just concluded at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo. A damp track pushed the drivers to their limits, delivering plenty of surprises and a few unexpected outcomes.
At the end of the 24 heats across all categories, the provisional leaders are: Tom Read (Mini MAX - Privateer), Shun Sekiguchi (Junior MAX - DHR), Sean Butcher (Senior MAX - KR Sport), Lenn Nijs (DD2 - Schepers Racing), and Nicolas Picot (DD2 Masters - Privateer).
Read remains on top
Tom Read continues his strong form, confirming the pace he showed on Friday. The British driver secured two wins and a second-place finish, maintaining his lead. Fellow countryman Alfie Mair (Privateer) and Alfie Ward (MLC Motorsport) follow closely behind. Jef Verbeke (Bouvin Power) slips from second to fifth after a bittersweet final heat, while Leo Livings (KR Sport) moves up to fourth.
Double victory for Sekiguchi
With two wins today, DHR’s Shun Sekiguchi secures pole for tomorrow’s Junior MAX Prefinal. A consistent Kai Clarke (KR Sport) climbs to second place, ahead of yesterday’s poleman Mate Kobakhidze (DHR). Harry Freeman and Rayan Ghandour (both KR Sport) round out the top five.
Butcher climbs to the top
Experience makes the difference for Sean Butcher, who dominated today’s intense run of Senior MAX heats. The KR Sport driver claimed two wins and two second-place finishes, edging out Sweden’s Sebastian Hedin (AD Motorsport) and a trio of strong Dan Holland Racing drivers: Yort van Wijk (who qualified second), Cameron Nelson, and Lizzy Mentier, whose sixth-place finish in the last heat proved costly.
Nijs takes control in DD2
In DD2, it’s Belgium’s Lenn Nijs (Schepers Racing) who now leads, getting the better of previously dominant Nicolas Picot (Privateer), who still tops the DD2 Masters class. William Kristensen (RS Competition), yesterday’s poleman, holds second overall.
All eyes on tomorrow
Tomorrow marks the decisive day of the second round of the RMC Winter Series, with the first titles of the 2025 season set to be awarded. The Pre-finals and Finals will be broadcast live.
Sunday, March 30: from 08:50 AM Warm-up; from 10:40 AM Prefinals, from 1.40 PM Finals. Information, Standings, and Results at: www.rotaxmaxchallenge-eurotrophy.com