Last weekend, in warm and sunny conditions, the first round of the Rotax MAX Challenge Latvia brought together 85 drivers at Kandava karting track (1,012m), Latvia.
26/05/23 - Races
Author: Vroomkart International
Different nationalities were represented – with drivers from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Ukraine, Georgia, Norway and Armenia joining the competition. The race is now on for the RMC Grand Finals 2023 tickets to Bahrain where RMC Latvia gives licensed competitors from the Baltic States (Latvian, Lithuanian, and Estonian) a great chance to win in the Rotax Mini MAX, Junior MAX, DD2, DD2 Masters categories this season.
On the starting grid, the drivers lined up in six different classes – Micro MAX, Mini MAX, Junior MAX, Senior MAX, DD2 and DD2 Masters. Friday saw the Warm up sessions, Qualifying and Heat 1, which set the positions for Saturdays' starting grid for the Pre-Final. Many new drivers have joined the RMC series this year and there were some fierce battles happening on track, however, the most represented class this weekend was the Rotax Senior MAX class with 19 entries making up the field.
Micro MAX
Fastest of all in the youngest category was Patricas Jocius (#25) setting the lap time of 48.575 and getting P1 in the Final. Even though Juris Pluksna (#63) was penalised in the Pre-Final, he managed to get to P3 in the Final. Norwegian driver Theo Steindal (#33) set the lap time of 48.786 and took second place in the Final.
Mini MAX
Qualifying was very successful for Alekss Menesis (#126) setting a new record - 45.929. However, in the Finals he finished in third position. Before him Adrians Tions (#171) took the chequered flag for P1 and Timurs Pecerica (#141) was P2.
Junior MAX
There were 17 drivers on the grid and a lot of close battles throughout all the races. The final top 3 consisted of P1 Toms Strele (#238), P2 Bruno Perle (#219) and P3 Mate Kobakhidze (#231).
Senior MAX
The front-runners remained constant throughout Quali, Pre-final and Final races. Fastest was Artjoms Sestakovs (#357) with a best lap time of 42.588, in second place Romans Radionovs (#362) and third was Tonis-Johannes Toomingas (#352).
DD2
A very tough competition between the drivers played out in the two-speed class with the leading six setting really close lap times. On the top step of the podium and fastest of the group was Martins Janovskis (#422) with a 41.822. Following him was Patriks Locmelis, RMC Grand Finals podium place-getter, was second and third was Ricards Vecvagars with a lap time 41.938.
DD2 Masters
Unbeatable during all Heats during the weekend was Henrijs Grube (#517) setting the pace at 42.503 and winning the round. Securing second place in the 32+ class was Lithuanian driver and team boss Martynas Tankevicius, while in P3 was the fast Estonian driver Priit Sei posting a 42.729 lap time.
The next round of competition will be held at the Madona karting circuit, Latvia on June 9-10.
RESULTS
RMC Latvia 2023
9-10 Jun Madona karting track, Madona
30 Jun - 1 Jul 333 Baltic Circuit, Ropazi
21-22 Jul 333 Baltic Circuit, Ropazi
4-5 Aug Smiltene karting track, Smiltene
15-16 Sep "Rullitis" karting track, Jelgava
Find more info at – www.rotaxmaxlatvia.com
Text/photos Jana Karzjuka & Photos Martins Jankovskis
On the starting grid, the drivers lined up in six different classes – Micro MAX, Mini MAX, Junior MAX, Senior MAX, DD2 and DD2 Masters. Friday saw the Warm up sessions, Qualifying and Heat 1, which set the positions for Saturdays' starting grid for the Pre-Final. Many new drivers have joined the RMC series this year and there were some fierce battles happening on track, however, the most represented class this weekend was the Rotax Senior MAX class with 19 entries making up the field.
Micro MAX
Fastest of all in the youngest category was Patricas Jocius (#25) setting the lap time of 48.575 and getting P1 in the Final. Even though Juris Pluksna (#63) was penalised in the Pre-Final, he managed to get to P3 in the Final. Norwegian driver Theo Steindal (#33) set the lap time of 48.786 and took second place in the Final.
Mini MAX
Qualifying was very successful for Alekss Menesis (#126) setting a new record - 45.929. However, in the Finals he finished in third position. Before him Adrians Tions (#171) took the chequered flag for P1 and Timurs Pecerica (#141) was P2.
Junior MAX
There were 17 drivers on the grid and a lot of close battles throughout all the races. The final top 3 consisted of P1 Toms Strele (#238), P2 Bruno Perle (#219) and P3 Mate Kobakhidze (#231).
Senior MAX
The front-runners remained constant throughout Quali, Pre-final and Final races. Fastest was Artjoms Sestakovs (#357) with a best lap time of 42.588, in second place Romans Radionovs (#362) and third was Tonis-Johannes Toomingas (#352).
DD2
A very tough competition between the drivers played out in the two-speed class with the leading six setting really close lap times. On the top step of the podium and fastest of the group was Martins Janovskis (#422) with a 41.822. Following him was Patriks Locmelis, RMC Grand Finals podium place-getter, was second and third was Ricards Vecvagars with a lap time 41.938.
DD2 Masters
Unbeatable during all Heats during the weekend was Henrijs Grube (#517) setting the pace at 42.503 and winning the round. Securing second place in the 32+ class was Lithuanian driver and team boss Martynas Tankevicius, while in P3 was the fast Estonian driver Priit Sei posting a 42.729 lap time.
The next round of competition will be held at the Madona karting circuit, Latvia on June 9-10.
RESULTS
RMC Latvia 2023
9-10 Jun Madona karting track, Madona
30 Jun - 1 Jul 333 Baltic Circuit, Ropazi
21-22 Jul 333 Baltic Circuit, Ropazi
4-5 Aug Smiltene karting track, Smiltene
15-16 Sep "Rullitis" karting track, Jelgava
Find more info at – www.rotaxmaxlatvia.com
Text/photos Jana Karzjuka & Photos Martins Jankovskis
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