The 7th edition of the Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy came to a spectacular conclusion on Saturday, 19th July at Le Mans. Maximum intensity and elevated spectacle accompanied the Final stages of the competition for the 343 participants and all the spectators at this major karting event.
On a cooler but completely dry Final day, the best competitors battled it out for the overall victory and tickets to the Grand Final in Bahrain in December in the six categories. Great Britain won four victories, Belgium and Slovenia one each. After some epic battles, Charlie Page (GBR) won in Micro Max, Emerson Macandrew-Uren (GBR) in Mini Max, Jacob Ashcroft (GBR) in Junior Max, Macauley Bishop (GBR) in Senior Max, Lenn Nijs (BEL) in DD2 Max and Xen De Ruwe (SLO) in DD2 Masters.
The Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy once again confirmed its reputation as a highly competitive international event this year. Thanks to the excellent organisation by 3MK Events, the warm and festive atmosphere that characterises the RMCIT continued right through to the podium ceremonies, accompanied by a raffle with generous prizes provided by the competition's partners. The most coveted prizes were tickets to the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, which will take place from 29th November to 6th December at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain.
Micro Max: Page a fine winner
Albert Pharoah (GBR) made a strong comeback by winning the Super Heat against Alfie Garrett (GBR). Charlie Page (GBR) nevertheless took the lead in the Final, but his supremacy was challenged by Masiokas Benediktas (GBR), Garrett and Pharoah, who took turns in the lead. Page did not lose heart and gradually worked his way back up the rankings to take 1st place on the last lap.
Micro Max Final results
1- Charlie Page (GBR – KR/Rotax/Mojo)
2- Albert Pharoah (GBR-LN/Rotax/Mojo)
3- Ava Lawrence (UAE – Tony Kart/Rotax/Mojo)
4- Masiokas Benediktas (GBR – Gillard/Rotax/Mojo)
5- Alfie Garrett (GBR - Gillard/Rotax/Mojo)
Mini Max: Macandrew-Uren from 2nd in 2024 to winner in 2025
Winner of the Super Heat and pole position starter in the Final, Riley Murro (GBR) saw his lead gradually diminish during the Final. Leading at the restart after a red flag, Murro was quickly overtaken by Emerson Macandrew-Uren (GBR), who went on to take a fine victory four tenths ahead of Murro. Oliver Spencer (GBR) took 3rd place six tenths further back.
Mini Max Final results
1- Emerson Macandrew-Uren (GBR – LN/Rotax/Mojo)
2- Riley Murro (GBR – KR/Rotax/Mojo)
3- Oliver Spencer (GBR – KR/Rotax/Mojo)
4- Joshua Cooke (GBR – KR/Rotax/Mojo)
5- Tom Read (GBR – Tony Kart/Rotax/Mojo)
Ashcroft wins the Junior Max Final
Jacob Ashcroft (GBR) and Juste Mulder (NLD) won the Super Heats, but it was Jeremy Reuvers (ESP) who started from pole position in the Final. Reuvers initially pulled away at the front, but his lead melted away towards the middle of the race and Ashcroft took the lead. Ashcroft won by two tenths of a second ahead of Reuvers. Heavily penalised in the Super Heat, Kai Clarke climbed 13 places to take 3rd place on the podium.
Junior Max Final results
1- Jacob Ashcroft (GBR – LN/Rotax/Mojo)
2- Jeremy Reuvers (ESP – LN/Rotax/Mojo)
3- Kai Clarke (GBR – Kosmic /Rotax/Mojo)
4- Boaz Maximov (NLD – Tony Kart /Rotax/Mojo)
5- Harry Freeman (GBR - Kosmic/Rotax/Mojo)
Clear victory for Bishop in Senior Max
Lewis Gilbert (GBR) and Tom Langlois (FRA) won the Super Heats, while Matthew Higgins (GBR) was ahead of Simon Périgny (FRA) on the starting grid for the Final. In a field that remained very compact for a long time, Macauley Bishop (GBR) had to wait until the 10th lap to find an opening on Higgins and pull away from his rivals. Bishop took a clear victory more than three seconds ahead of Gilbert, who had attacked Higgins as he slowed down on the last lap. Lewis Goff (GBR) took advantage of this to move into 3rd place.
Senior Max Final results
1- Macauley Bishop (GBR – LN/Rotax/Mojo)
2- Lewis Gilbert (GBR – CS55/Rotax/Mojo)
3- Lewis Goff (GBR – KR/Rotax/Mojo)
4- Matthews Higgins (GBR- LN/Rotax/Mojo)
5- Simon Périgny (FRA – KR/Rotax/Mojo)
Nijs declared winner of the DD2 Max Final
Sem Knopjes (NLD) continued his dominance in Super Heat A, while Jakub Bezel (CZE) won Super Heat B. The two battled it out at the start of the Final, but Knopjes quickly retired. Bezel crossed the finish line first, but a penalty deprived him of victory. After a brilliant comeback from 15th place, Lenn Nijs (BEL) was declared the winner ahead of Edgars Vilcains (LAT) and Knud Nielsen (DNK), a newcomer to the category.
DD2 Max Final results
1- Lenn Nijs (BEL – KR/Rotax/Mojo)
2- Edgars Vilcains (LAT – Sodi/Rotax/Mojo)
3- Knud Nielsen (DNK – Tony Kart/Rotax/Mojo)
4- Michael Rosina (ITA – Tony Kart/Rotax/Mojo)
5- Petr Bezel (CZE – Tony Kart/Rotax/Mojo)
De Ruwe wins DD2 Max Masters for the first time
Charles Seguin (FRA) won the Super Heat, while Xen De Ruwe (SLO) retained pole position for the start of the Final. The two drivers were neck and neck throughout the 16 laps of the Final in a long and very competitive battle. 2nd in DD2 last year, De Ruwe won by 33 thousandths of a second at the finish line against a valiant opponent. 3rd at the finish, Jack Dex (GBR) was penalised to 6th place, and it was the valiant Gabriel Zughella (ARG) who took the third step on the podium.
DD2 Max Masters Final results
1- Xen De Ruwe (SLO - Tony Kart/Rotax/Mojo)
2- Charles Seguin (FRA - Tony Kart/Rotax/Mojo)
3- Gabriel Zughella (ARG - Birel ART/Rotax/Mojo)
4- Robert Schlünssen (DNK - Tony Kart/Rotax/Mojo)
5- Alex Fielenbach (GER - Kosmic/Rotax/Mojo)
The full results are available on the RMCIT website, and videos are available on Facebook and YouTube.