Rotax Micro MAX
Joshua Cooke (GBR)
KR Sport - Kosmic
“It’s absolutely amazing to have won this event! I’m feeling great now after winning here in Le Mans. We had been quick all week so we knew we had the pace, but we just needed to win. The racing was great, I love it here and it’s the first European event I have ever done. It was also the first time for me racing on the MOJO tyres – which were grippy. The other kids were all quick in the class and there were a few drivers fighting for the win. I want to say thanks to KR Sport, KR Engines, especially Toby and Connor, my dad on the spanners, and my mum and sister watching at home. This is my second year racing in Micro MAX. We decided to focus on racing Rotax to be able to qualify for the Grand Finals. It’s always great racing there and very exciting to be representing Team UK in Italy.”
Rotax Mini MAX
Albert Friend (GBR)
Strawberry Racing - Tony Kart
“We arrived at Le Mans confident after having won here last year and we had great speed in the practice sessions. I really wanted pole position and so I was really happy to get a great lap in qualifying to start P1. The heats were great as well with three wins; although we got a penalty in one. Our team were amazing with Tom Read and Jenson Chalk all locking out the top 3 for the final, so I knew we had a chance of a great result. In the final after the restart, I managed to get a break and then just pushed hard and tried to relax. I got fastest lap and won by a big gap. I just love this track, I’ve been here three times now and it’s one of my favourite tracks to drive, we always meet new drivers here also. I’m so pleased for Emerson to take his ticket to the Grand Finals – the UK will be strong in Mini MAX again this year. Now I need to concentrate and work hard to secure the British and European championships that I am leading. Next year I hope to be back in a Juniors!”
Rotax Junior MAX
Ties van Wijk (NLD)
Bouvin Power - Tony Kart
“It was a very good weekend, considering it was the first time I have ever driven here. We just got faster and faster from the first practice really. The quali was not perfect for me though with P16. In the heats we came through to rank P9, then up to P4 overall following a win in Super Heat A. In the Final, I got into third after the start then moved up another place with each lap. I was able to drive away to win by nearly four seconds at the flag. It means a lot to win this title here in the RMCIT. We know that all the training and everything we are doing to achieve this is now coming through to give us this success. We are very fast now and it’s good. Also to do this again after winning the Rotax Euro Trophy round in Franciacorta recently, it shows we are improving. The whole team was fast and I am very happy that I can give something back to them. They dedicate so much to helping me.”
Rotax Senior MAX
Ethan Jeff-Hall (GBR)
Sam Pollitt Racing - Exprit
“It has been a great week here at Le Mans. Coming straight from Snetterton in Ginetta Juniors, I had to quickly get back used to the kart to be ready for the weekend. Testing was all about working closely with my team to try find different setups and which one worked best for me, for both qualifying and the racing. Being one of the fastest in testing and being pole over all last year, it gave me great confidence heading into qualifying where I came P2 in my group and P4 overall, just missing out on pole by a tenth. This set us up nicely going into the heats where I started second three times and on pole twice. Being on the front row for the heats was very helpful. I knew the sooner I could get to the lead, the sooner I could relax and try to save the tyres before the final, as well as having consistent top 5 finishes. In the heats I had three wins, a second and a fourth place, which put me pole overall heading into the superheats. Dropping down to fifth during the latter stages of the super heat, I quickly worked my way back up to second place before the checkered flag. This result further added to my points giving me pole position for the final. Having won this event last year I had great belief that I could bring home another great result. I drove a lights-to-flag victory, extending my lead to three seconds at one stage before just relaxing to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes which could cost me the victory, then crossed the line to become 2024 RMCIT Le Mans champion. It feels amazing and is a great pleasure to be back-to-back champion at this very special event and circuit, but I could not have done it without the support from everyone at Sam Pollitt Racing, Lewis Brown, Kieran Murphy, fibreking, fit4performance and my parents.”
Rotax DD2 MAX
Leon Mandl (AUT)
KSB – BirelART
“I am very excited about my victory. I know I had the right speed because in the free practice and the heats the pace was very strong. But because of starting from P4 on the grid in the final, I thought the win wasn’t going to happen after all. So I am super happy to be crowned as Rotax International Trophy winner in the end! Now I am absolutely looking forward to the Grand Finals in Italy. I want to say a huge thank you to KSB Racing Team, especially to Wolfgang Berr my team principal who’s doing an amazing job all year.”
Rotax DD2 MAX Masters
Vivien Cussac-Picot (FRA)
NPS - Tony Kart
“Extraordinary week! We worked a lot during testing to try to find the best setup for qualifying and the race. I missed pole by a few hundredths, having been hampered in the last corner. A little disappointed, but the third best time still allowed us to envisage good heats. The heat races took place without too much problem and confirmed the good pace. We continued to work to evolve the setup with the high temperatures of the day. The super heat and the final arrived and the first race reassured us that we have a lot of speed. After the somewhat difficult start, I quickly got back on the first place. Knowing that I would start on pole due to the points, I let Jack Dex win the super heat. In the final, it was not long before I got into the lead and I couldn't believe it. I settled into a rhythm, noticing that the others aren't coming back at me. I managed my lead during the remaining 13 laps to take the win. Incredible week, a second victory at the RMCIT! A top 3MK organization! Big thanks to my family, my mechanic and of course, Nicolas Picot, NPS for the preparation, the advice.”
THE ORGANISATION…
Jérémy Magnier - RMCIT coordinator at 3MK Events
“This year is was a special one with record participation – a total of 318 drivers, even better than our previous years with around 296 maximum. The competitors came from five continents and we had 44 nationalities to race with us here at the RMCIT. It shows that the event is greatly appreciated by the Rotax drivers all over the world, which is something really interesting for us at 3MK Events. The Le Mans track is a magic place to race for them too and we are very happy about being able to offer this. We had six deserving drivers who have now won their ticket to compete at the RMC Grand Finals in Sarno, Italy, and wish them much luck for their success in October. There were new partnerships once again with our event partners, Cambox and 3.2.1 Perform from Switzerland, who were in Le Mans again to support our drivers. We want to bring more new animations and activities outside the track as well next year, especially on the Friday evening for everyone’s enjoyment. Of course, it is important that we say a big thanks to all the volunteers, the marshals and the stewards. And also to ACO, Le Mans track for their help plus all the Rotax Racing support crew. For our team at 3MK Events, it’s a lot of work during the year and to be more than ten days on track to prepare everything and set up, but we like to make this for the RMCIT participants and teams. We know it is appreciated too – so for us it is perfect. We are already thinking about the next event and working on what we can do to make it extra special in 2025. For now, it’s going to be a surprise!”
Text Jen Wade Photos © Hellofoto
Joshua Cooke (GBR)
KR Sport - Kosmic
“It’s absolutely amazing to have won this event! I’m feeling great now after winning here in Le Mans. We had been quick all week so we knew we had the pace, but we just needed to win. The racing was great, I love it here and it’s the first European event I have ever done. It was also the first time for me racing on the MOJO tyres – which were grippy. The other kids were all quick in the class and there were a few drivers fighting for the win. I want to say thanks to KR Sport, KR Engines, especially Toby and Connor, my dad on the spanners, and my mum and sister watching at home. This is my second year racing in Micro MAX. We decided to focus on racing Rotax to be able to qualify for the Grand Finals. It’s always great racing there and very exciting to be representing Team UK in Italy.”
Rotax Mini MAX
Albert Friend (GBR)
Strawberry Racing - Tony Kart
“We arrived at Le Mans confident after having won here last year and we had great speed in the practice sessions. I really wanted pole position and so I was really happy to get a great lap in qualifying to start P1. The heats were great as well with three wins; although we got a penalty in one. Our team were amazing with Tom Read and Jenson Chalk all locking out the top 3 for the final, so I knew we had a chance of a great result. In the final after the restart, I managed to get a break and then just pushed hard and tried to relax. I got fastest lap and won by a big gap. I just love this track, I’ve been here three times now and it’s one of my favourite tracks to drive, we always meet new drivers here also. I’m so pleased for Emerson to take his ticket to the Grand Finals – the UK will be strong in Mini MAX again this year. Now I need to concentrate and work hard to secure the British and European championships that I am leading. Next year I hope to be back in a Juniors!”
Rotax Junior MAX
Ties van Wijk (NLD)
Bouvin Power - Tony Kart
“It was a very good weekend, considering it was the first time I have ever driven here. We just got faster and faster from the first practice really. The quali was not perfect for me though with P16. In the heats we came through to rank P9, then up to P4 overall following a win in Super Heat A. In the Final, I got into third after the start then moved up another place with each lap. I was able to drive away to win by nearly four seconds at the flag. It means a lot to win this title here in the RMCIT. We know that all the training and everything we are doing to achieve this is now coming through to give us this success. We are very fast now and it’s good. Also to do this again after winning the Rotax Euro Trophy round in Franciacorta recently, it shows we are improving. The whole team was fast and I am very happy that I can give something back to them. They dedicate so much to helping me.”
Rotax Senior MAX
Ethan Jeff-Hall (GBR)
Sam Pollitt Racing - Exprit
“It has been a great week here at Le Mans. Coming straight from Snetterton in Ginetta Juniors, I had to quickly get back used to the kart to be ready for the weekend. Testing was all about working closely with my team to try find different setups and which one worked best for me, for both qualifying and the racing. Being one of the fastest in testing and being pole over all last year, it gave me great confidence heading into qualifying where I came P2 in my group and P4 overall, just missing out on pole by a tenth. This set us up nicely going into the heats where I started second three times and on pole twice. Being on the front row for the heats was very helpful. I knew the sooner I could get to the lead, the sooner I could relax and try to save the tyres before the final, as well as having consistent top 5 finishes. In the heats I had three wins, a second and a fourth place, which put me pole overall heading into the superheats. Dropping down to fifth during the latter stages of the super heat, I quickly worked my way back up to second place before the checkered flag. This result further added to my points giving me pole position for the final. Having won this event last year I had great belief that I could bring home another great result. I drove a lights-to-flag victory, extending my lead to three seconds at one stage before just relaxing to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes which could cost me the victory, then crossed the line to become 2024 RMCIT Le Mans champion. It feels amazing and is a great pleasure to be back-to-back champion at this very special event and circuit, but I could not have done it without the support from everyone at Sam Pollitt Racing, Lewis Brown, Kieran Murphy, fibreking, fit4performance and my parents.”
Rotax DD2 MAX
Leon Mandl (AUT)
KSB – BirelART
“I am very excited about my victory. I know I had the right speed because in the free practice and the heats the pace was very strong. But because of starting from P4 on the grid in the final, I thought the win wasn’t going to happen after all. So I am super happy to be crowned as Rotax International Trophy winner in the end! Now I am absolutely looking forward to the Grand Finals in Italy. I want to say a huge thank you to KSB Racing Team, especially to Wolfgang Berr my team principal who’s doing an amazing job all year.”
Rotax DD2 MAX Masters
Vivien Cussac-Picot (FRA)
NPS - Tony Kart
“Extraordinary week! We worked a lot during testing to try to find the best setup for qualifying and the race. I missed pole by a few hundredths, having been hampered in the last corner. A little disappointed, but the third best time still allowed us to envisage good heats. The heat races took place without too much problem and confirmed the good pace. We continued to work to evolve the setup with the high temperatures of the day. The super heat and the final arrived and the first race reassured us that we have a lot of speed. After the somewhat difficult start, I quickly got back on the first place. Knowing that I would start on pole due to the points, I let Jack Dex win the super heat. In the final, it was not long before I got into the lead and I couldn't believe it. I settled into a rhythm, noticing that the others aren't coming back at me. I managed my lead during the remaining 13 laps to take the win. Incredible week, a second victory at the RMCIT! A top 3MK organization! Big thanks to my family, my mechanic and of course, Nicolas Picot, NPS for the preparation, the advice.”
THE ORGANISATION…
Jérémy Magnier - RMCIT coordinator at 3MK Events
“This year is was a special one with record participation – a total of 318 drivers, even better than our previous years with around 296 maximum. The competitors came from five continents and we had 44 nationalities to race with us here at the RMCIT. It shows that the event is greatly appreciated by the Rotax drivers all over the world, which is something really interesting for us at 3MK Events. The Le Mans track is a magic place to race for them too and we are very happy about being able to offer this. We had six deserving drivers who have now won their ticket to compete at the RMC Grand Finals in Sarno, Italy, and wish them much luck for their success in October. There were new partnerships once again with our event partners, Cambox and 3.2.1 Perform from Switzerland, who were in Le Mans again to support our drivers. We want to bring more new animations and activities outside the track as well next year, especially on the Friday evening for everyone’s enjoyment. Of course, it is important that we say a big thanks to all the volunteers, the marshals and the stewards. And also to ACO, Le Mans track for their help plus all the Rotax Racing support crew. For our team at 3MK Events, it’s a lot of work during the year and to be more than ten days on track to prepare everything and set up, but we like to make this for the RMCIT participants and teams. We know it is appreciated too – so for us it is perfect. We are already thinking about the next event and working on what we can do to make it extra special in 2025. For now, it’s going to be a surprise!”
Text Jen Wade Photos © Hellofoto
