Rotax Belgium hosts BeNefit League at famous Mariembourg

This was also the initial stage of two editions in the BeNefit League series where the locals extended the invitation to their neighbours in the Netherlands. The close rivalry has been going on for years across the border and the Dutch RMC will host the second edition of the BeNefit championship on August 19/20 at Spa Francorchamps. 

The BMC includes a Rotax Mini MAX and Mini MAX Rookie (Micro MAX-aged drivers) entry-level class within their national championship for the youngest title contenders. In addition, there are also drivers taking part from more countries in the other categories on the program – Junior MAX, Senior MAX, DD2 and DD2 Masters. In Mariembourg, there were good fields for each of these, welcoming visiting karters as well from Germany, France, Greece and even as far abroad as Australia too. 

Mini MAX and Mini MAX Rookie
A combined grid of 18 drivers proved to be a good base for exciting racing. The competition was really close with every race being very exciting until the last moment to see who would take the win.
The winner of the event was Felipe Reijs in Mini Max and Ryan Rijvers in Mini Max Rookie.
The championship standings are very tight in Mini Max: 
https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Organizations/60584/Championships/106849
In Mini Max Rookie, Rijvers is leading the way: 
https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Organizations/60584/Championships/106852
 
Junior MAX
Belgian champ Mateja Radenkovic took the weekend win after a DNS in the pre-final. In the final he managed to get from the back to the grid to the front of the field and win the race. He is now second in the series as the Dutchman Mika van de Pavert leads the championship with 297 points versus Mateja’s 281 points.
Championship standings: 
https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Organizations/60584/Championships/106855
 
Senior MAX
Following a full-house in both the first and second round of the championship, we once again welcomed a full grid of drivers in the competitive Senior MAX. The young Dutchman Devyan Roest had a steady weekend. He secured pole position and won the heat and the pre-final. However, the final was won by Yoeri Schoens, which allowed him to take home the biggest trophy this time.
Devyan Roest has done well to collect more points for the championship as he extends his lead even further: https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Organizations/60584/Championships/106858
 
DD2
Tom Braeken and Maxim Dirickx were the ones to watch when it came to the likely winner in the two-speed gearbox class. They are evenly matched, which makes it a pleasure to watch their races.Braeken proved to have just that little bit extra this weekend by securing pole and all wins, but Maxim, the RMC Euro Trophy round winner from Mariembourg in 2022, really challenged Tom.
https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Organizations/60584/Championships/106861
 
DD2 Masters
Dominic Ummels was very strong all weekend. Unfortunately, he was out of contention in the last race of the weekend, eliminating his chances of taking the honours. It was instead Wim Roulaux who secured the win in the final at Karting des Fagnes.
Championship standings in the over 32 years class: 
https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Organizations/60584/Championships/106864
 
RESULT

Text Esmée Rosman   Photos Michael Melis-KartPhoto