It's hard to avoid superlatives when talking about a Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final. The 2023 edition was no exception, with an exceptional welcome and venue in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Regulars were impressed by the phenomenal layout of the Bahrain International Karting Circuit and the numerous night races, while newcomers we're wide-eyed in wonder at the perfectly organised Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals.

As in 2021, the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals is heading for the Middle East for the 23rd edition of this benchmark event, which will take place from 3rd to 9th December at the Bahrain International Karting Circuit.

This year, the SWS Final will be split into two. As a sign of the times, in parallel to the "classic" SWS International Finals scheduled in Slovakia in July, Sodikart is organising the first SWS e-Sprint International Final in Sweden. On 28th and 29th April, Gothenburg will welcome the first SWS finalists at the wheel of electric karts on the two GoKart Centralen circuits.

This year, the collaboration between Sodikart and BRP-Rotax was again successful for the 22nd edition of the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final, which took place in Portugal, at the Kartodrómo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão from 19th to 26th November. Since 2010, Sodikart has been a loyal partner of the Rotax world event as a chassis supplier. The French factory, world leader in the kart industry, has fulfilled its mission perfectly to deliver more than 180 fully assembled chassis in four of the eight categories racing in Portugal and to satisfy 178 drivers from 56 nations from five continents.

The 22nd edition of the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals will take place this year in Portugal, at the Kartodrómo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão from 19th to 26th November, with 394 drivers from more than 60 countries. Since 2010, Sodi has been a loyal partner of the Rotax World Finals as a chassis supplier. For its 12th year of close collaboration with BRP-Rotax in the framework of the RMCGF, Sodikart will supply the Senior Max and Junior Max chassis, in addition to the E20 Junior and E20 Senior, i.e. for the first time, four categories using Sodi.

After the appointment of the official drivers for the 2022 season, Sodikart continues to structure its team for the next season and appoints Mansel Smith as team manager. Recent World Champion in 2021 with Noah Milell in KZ and Tuukka Taponen in OK, Mansel will manage the Sodi Racing Team in all international races.

The common values shared by Sodikart and Rotax for more than 30 years were once again confirmed at the 21st edition of the Grand Final organised in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This world event brought together 378 drivers representing 62 nations and was able to rely on a strong partnership with the world's leading kart manufacturer, which successfully supplied its Sodi Sigma chassis to the drivers in the Junior Max, Senior Max and E20 categories.

In 2022, Frenchman Émilien Denner and Dutchman Senna van Walstijn will defend the colours of Sodikart in the top category of karting, KZ, aiming to shine in the major international competitions; the Winter Cup, WSK, European Championship and the FIA Karting World Championship.

Sodikart, a long-standing and valued partner of BRP-Rotax with its high-quality chassis and competent services, is delighted to have been chosen once again as the technical provider for the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals 2021, which will take place from 11th to 18th December at the Bahrain International Karting Circuit. 

For 40 years, Sodikart's success has been built on a bold development strategy, unique innovations and a constant quest for excellence in the service of its customers. The new dynamics of the coming decade will be visualised in 2022 by the unveiling of a new logo and a new visual identity for the Sodi brand.

Frenchman Bertrand Pignolet is at the head of one of the world's leading kart manufacturers. The Sodikart company, founded by Gildas Mérian, divides its activity between rental karting and manufacturing competition chassis. Sodi karts have shone at the highest international level in KZ and KZ2 while increasing their presence in all other categories. Sodikart is also involved in the organisation of races through its 3MK Events department. This interview with Bertrand Pignolet was conducted in April 2020 while COVID-19 was paralysing a large part of the planet.