There are five classes in the Rotax 125 MAX Evo engine categories and two Rotax E20 electric kart classes, making up a field of 214 registered entries for the official 3-day program. The coveted titles and the Rotax MAX Challenge tickets are waiting to be won in Lonato!
Last month Franciacorta Karting Track, with the challenging conditions of blistering heat and then rain Sunday, completed the preliminary rounds this season. Before that, Karting Genk (Belgium) and Prokart Raceland (Germany) made up the first half of the international series, where we saw different winners grace the podium and the championship get even more interesting as it gained momentum. Now, it’s all to play for as the expected high temperatures and introduction of night racing add to the anticipation on the RMCET debut at the famous Lonato circuit near Lake Garda.
Along with the prestigious European titles, there are 15 RMC Grand Finals tickets on the line to qualify for the Rotax Racing calendar highlight taking place in Sarno, Italy from October 19-26. Although, there are a number of drivers competing who have already secured their place at the RMCGF via other Rotax events, several of which will not be directly influenced by the results of this edition. To have the honour of representing your own country as part of the national team at this amazing global competition, where all the champions from around the world are really celebrated for their achievements during the year, is unlike any other karting event today. There are even more prizes to be won and awarded at the podium ceremony, as well as the 2024 championship trophies.
The leaders in Rotax Mini MAX so far, who have already won their tickets at the RMCET, are still totally gunning for the series victory in Lonato; Zdenek Babicek and Albert Friend. The pair took the honours at the standalone German- and Belgium Euro Cup by Mini MAX events, with an intense battle between them in July at the opening round of the RMCET championship in Franciacorta. The Czech driver won the initial Italian race, but they will settle this duel this weekend. It is the UK’s Albie Friend, however, who sits at the top of the standings with a seven-point advantage, aiming to add another Mini MAX title to his 2024 RMCET Winter Cup and RMC International Trophy accolades.
After winning round 3 in Franciacorta, Zdenek Babicek admitted he had the benefit of being familiar with the Italian circuit, “I really enjoyed the final race of the week. Already in the warm-up lap, I felt that the kart setup could work, and this was also confirmed during the final. I have to thank my mechanic - Cees Vos, who managed to set up the kart and the pressures perfectly. I know the track in Franciacorta well, which was also my advantage, thanks to which I managed to get to the lead very quickly and eventually crossed the finish line with more than a 5-second gap. As of now we stand P2 in the championship, so it’s all to play for… I am already excited to get back in the seat.”
Rotax Junior MAX is definitely showing the pool of talent coming through the ranks at this level. The leaderboard is jam-packed with budding youngsters who are finding their feet on the international scene, as they learn about what it takes to become a champion in such a strong field. Jacob Ashcroft won the first round of the European following his success in Spain to seal another Winter Cup title back in March. Casper Nissen was impressive as well to win round 2 at Wackersdorf and appeared to be the one to beat at Franciacorta, where his weekend results boosted him into the lead of the series for the closing phase. The third winner in as many rounds was Ties van Wijk, who stole the show in the Italian final to rank second overall in the standings. The recently-crowned RMCIT champ in Le Mans has thrown his hat in the ring and splits the first two winners in the points of the top 3.
For the Belgian junior, the feeling to give something back to his team made him extremely happy, “Italy was a very good weekend for us. It was the first time I had driven in Franciacorta and we just got faster and faster. The quali was not perfect, but we made up for it in the heats and started on P4 for the final. I was able to make up the positions and crossed the line in P1. It means very much to have won in Italy, especially to see everything we have been doing, all the training, is paying off and not only for me, but for the whole team. They give everything for me and I am very happy for them.”
It was the rookie Vic Stevens who shot to the top of the Rotax Senior MAX field from the beginning of the Euro series on his home track to be leading the biggest class after Genk. Only one point behind were the Pre-Finals winners at round 2, former RMCET champion Sean Butcher and a RMCGF runner-up Lewis Gilbert. Amongst the incredible depth of field in this category are numerous drivers who could easily rank amongst the best on any day. Enter Matthew Higgins; another of the multiple title-holders from across the Channel on this grid, breaking into his first season in GT car racing alongside the karting season, who was outstanding to win the second and third rounds this year. Yet it was Butcher who moved up to be above everyone when he left Wackersdorf, putting in a strong performance during the races that has kept him there until now. He has a nine point buffer over Higgins going into the showdown in Lonato. One driver who may crash the finale party is Macauley Bishop in third place, narrowly ahead of Gilbert and the 2024 Winter Cup champ Jayden Thien.
19-year-old Matt Higgins was not necessarily expecting to be leaving Franciacorta with another victory, “It was a difficult race in Italy, definitely a test for the teams and who can get it right there. I think slicks would have won that [final] race, but the boys at DHR nailed it with the pressure and the gear, and gave me the package to win. I got into the lead first corner, then Joe [Turney] came past me doing dry lines; that was a bit of a shock to the system! I tried to pick it up and learn from him. I had to work my way back through and then it came down to the close race between a group of us, each going for the gap. It was definitely a test of motivation for the team, but we pushed for it and came out on top in the end. We can share the data and setups, and all still have a good amount of respect and manage it alright. In my opinion we’re all on the grid together, all at the front and are as good as each other. Thanks to my dad, who nailed it all week, everyone in the team and my family.”
In the two-speed gearbox category, there are very quick young guys stirring up the experienced drivers with their “enthusiasm” to challenge them at every opportunity. Enzo Bol is included in that line-up, having won the two rounds outside of Italy and completing the podium in Franciacorta. The Dutchman, who claims he loves racing the Rotax DD2, has not had it all his way in the tough contest against many of the world’s leading competitors in this hard-fought class. At the Brescia track, the heavens played havoc in Sunday’s final - then what happened was unpredictable. At the prize-giving it was an Italian, Mauro Simoni, standing proud for his national anthem at round 3 in July in his guest appearance to test his own skills beside the European tourists. In the series the points are close between Bol, Paul Fourquemin, Szabo Bende, Xen De Ruwe and reigning RMCGF champion Ragnar Veerus in the top 5. But will they be in the Lonato limelight… or will the fast Italians shine again?
It was an overwhelming feeling of emotion to win at home for the Mauro Simoni, “Round 3 was a race that started badly, in which I struggled to find the right speed. On Sunday, however, everything was perfect right from the warm up. The pre-final on used tires went well and I recovered some positions. In the final I had the advantage of the new tyres, but I started in the middle of the group and the comeback would have been difficult. The start went well and I immediately recovered a few positions, after a couple of laps when it started to rain I understood that the race would probably be interrupted and that it was time to attack. I soon took the lead until the red flag came out as expected. At the restart with wet tires, having the pole position, I knew that the only thing to do was to set my pace without mistakes and stay focused. Fortunately I immediately broke away from the group and I was able to manage the race until the finish. I would also like to thank my mechanic, SP motorsport, KTRE Race and Rotax Tech Support – who all made this success possible for me.”
Nicolas Picot is the defending European champion in the Rotax DD2 Masters. He’s determined to retain his title and be able to join the contest at the RMCGF another time together with his team members from France. Finishing second already in Bahrain last December, the team boss running his own outfit was on a hat-trick when he took the honours in Italy at the third round. Lithuania’s Martynas Tankevicius is leading the charge in P2 from Igor Mukhin in the over 32-years class.
This would be the ninth Grand Finals for Nicolas Picot if he is successful in his campaign. He’s hoping to make it a clean sweep in the championship rounds in 2024, “It was a good race for me last month, with more of a challenge driving separate from the DD2 class. I was able to manage my final well and in the end have a sufficient gap to not be worried in the last laps of the race. It’s a good thing to have come here to Italy to race the Euro for a change to the RMCET circuits. I am happy to have won the third round as it allowed me to make a little more difference in the standings going into Lonato. We’ll have to finish getting the perfect score there – that would be ideal.”
Rotax E20 Senior will contest their third and concluding edition of the RMC Euro Trophy to end the season in Italy. The vice champion at the 2023 Grand Finals, Spencer Brougham, has succeeded in taking the victory up to this stage in both rounds prior. The British driver also competes at home in the MAX class, but enjoys the chance to get behind the wheel of the cool electric race kart. His closest rival, who is no stranger to the E20, is Raul Vargas and just two points away from him is Will Elswood. The trio are locked into the fight for the tickets in three different classes at the RMCGF in Sarno, but the South Garda Karting circuit offers a new challenge that could produce a new winner.
Spencer Brougham has mastered the unique parity and performance of the ‘Arrive & Drive’ concept, “The weekend at Franciacorta was amazing as a whole. Being one of the fastest, I managed to maximise the performance of the kart and was able to take the most points from the weekend. The competition is extremely competitive, although there are not many of us in the series we are all so close which makes the racing so good. The E-kart is a good kart to drive, very fast and it generates extremely even racing. It helps you learn how to adapt as it is so different to everything else. The championship is very close and going into the last round in the lead really does give me confidence.”
Hector Ramirez won the opening round of two in the Rotax E20 Masters, travelling all the way from Chile to race for the third year running in the E-Kart in Europe. At 69, the DD2 driver is close to four times the age of the leading E20 Senior. He absolutely savours the experience of participating at the amazing circuits scheduled on the calendar and also wants to qualify for the RMCGF again in 2024.
Race fans are welcome at what promises to be an action-packed event at South Garda Karting from August 29 to 31, for an exciting weekend of racing to decide the championship winners for 2024. The program begins at lunchtime each day, going later into the evening with racing under lights. Qualifying starts proceedings after the practice is done on Thursday afternoon and the first races will take place into the evening. Friday’s racing begins at 2.20pm with 21 heats scheduled until 9.40pm. The livestream kicks off on Saturday afternoon with the Pre-finals at 4pm, including the prize-giving ceremony immediately following each Final.
Find more details here
LIVE TIMING
TIMETABLE
RESULTS
Media links:
YouTube
Web – https://www.rotaxmaxchallenge-eurotrophy.com & Motorsport.com
Facebook & Instagram – Rotax MAX Euro Trophy
For more ROTAX RACING news - https://www.rotax-racing.com/ & Social Media @rotaxkarting
Text Jen Wade Photos HelloFoto
Last month Franciacorta Karting Track, with the challenging conditions of blistering heat and then rain Sunday, completed the preliminary rounds this season. Before that, Karting Genk (Belgium) and Prokart Raceland (Germany) made up the first half of the international series, where we saw different winners grace the podium and the championship get even more interesting as it gained momentum. Now, it’s all to play for as the expected high temperatures and introduction of night racing add to the anticipation on the RMCET debut at the famous Lonato circuit near Lake Garda.
Along with the prestigious European titles, there are 15 RMC Grand Finals tickets on the line to qualify for the Rotax Racing calendar highlight taking place in Sarno, Italy from October 19-26. Although, there are a number of drivers competing who have already secured their place at the RMCGF via other Rotax events, several of which will not be directly influenced by the results of this edition. To have the honour of representing your own country as part of the national team at this amazing global competition, where all the champions from around the world are really celebrated for their achievements during the year, is unlike any other karting event today. There are even more prizes to be won and awarded at the podium ceremony, as well as the 2024 championship trophies.
The leaders in Rotax Mini MAX so far, who have already won their tickets at the RMCET, are still totally gunning for the series victory in Lonato; Zdenek Babicek and Albert Friend. The pair took the honours at the standalone German- and Belgium Euro Cup by Mini MAX events, with an intense battle between them in July at the opening round of the RMCET championship in Franciacorta. The Czech driver won the initial Italian race, but they will settle this duel this weekend. It is the UK’s Albie Friend, however, who sits at the top of the standings with a seven-point advantage, aiming to add another Mini MAX title to his 2024 RMCET Winter Cup and RMC International Trophy accolades.
After winning round 3 in Franciacorta, Zdenek Babicek admitted he had the benefit of being familiar with the Italian circuit, “I really enjoyed the final race of the week. Already in the warm-up lap, I felt that the kart setup could work, and this was also confirmed during the final. I have to thank my mechanic - Cees Vos, who managed to set up the kart and the pressures perfectly. I know the track in Franciacorta well, which was also my advantage, thanks to which I managed to get to the lead very quickly and eventually crossed the finish line with more than a 5-second gap. As of now we stand P2 in the championship, so it’s all to play for… I am already excited to get back in the seat.”
Rotax Junior MAX is definitely showing the pool of talent coming through the ranks at this level. The leaderboard is jam-packed with budding youngsters who are finding their feet on the international scene, as they learn about what it takes to become a champion in such a strong field. Jacob Ashcroft won the first round of the European following his success in Spain to seal another Winter Cup title back in March. Casper Nissen was impressive as well to win round 2 at Wackersdorf and appeared to be the one to beat at Franciacorta, where his weekend results boosted him into the lead of the series for the closing phase. The third winner in as many rounds was Ties van Wijk, who stole the show in the Italian final to rank second overall in the standings. The recently-crowned RMCIT champ in Le Mans has thrown his hat in the ring and splits the first two winners in the points of the top 3.
For the Belgian junior, the feeling to give something back to his team made him extremely happy, “Italy was a very good weekend for us. It was the first time I had driven in Franciacorta and we just got faster and faster. The quali was not perfect, but we made up for it in the heats and started on P4 for the final. I was able to make up the positions and crossed the line in P1. It means very much to have won in Italy, especially to see everything we have been doing, all the training, is paying off and not only for me, but for the whole team. They give everything for me and I am very happy for them.”
It was the rookie Vic Stevens who shot to the top of the Rotax Senior MAX field from the beginning of the Euro series on his home track to be leading the biggest class after Genk. Only one point behind were the Pre-Finals winners at round 2, former RMCET champion Sean Butcher and a RMCGF runner-up Lewis Gilbert. Amongst the incredible depth of field in this category are numerous drivers who could easily rank amongst the best on any day. Enter Matthew Higgins; another of the multiple title-holders from across the Channel on this grid, breaking into his first season in GT car racing alongside the karting season, who was outstanding to win the second and third rounds this year. Yet it was Butcher who moved up to be above everyone when he left Wackersdorf, putting in a strong performance during the races that has kept him there until now. He has a nine point buffer over Higgins going into the showdown in Lonato. One driver who may crash the finale party is Macauley Bishop in third place, narrowly ahead of Gilbert and the 2024 Winter Cup champ Jayden Thien.
19-year-old Matt Higgins was not necessarily expecting to be leaving Franciacorta with another victory, “It was a difficult race in Italy, definitely a test for the teams and who can get it right there. I think slicks would have won that [final] race, but the boys at DHR nailed it with the pressure and the gear, and gave me the package to win. I got into the lead first corner, then Joe [Turney] came past me doing dry lines; that was a bit of a shock to the system! I tried to pick it up and learn from him. I had to work my way back through and then it came down to the close race between a group of us, each going for the gap. It was definitely a test of motivation for the team, but we pushed for it and came out on top in the end. We can share the data and setups, and all still have a good amount of respect and manage it alright. In my opinion we’re all on the grid together, all at the front and are as good as each other. Thanks to my dad, who nailed it all week, everyone in the team and my family.”
In the two-speed gearbox category, there are very quick young guys stirring up the experienced drivers with their “enthusiasm” to challenge them at every opportunity. Enzo Bol is included in that line-up, having won the two rounds outside of Italy and completing the podium in Franciacorta. The Dutchman, who claims he loves racing the Rotax DD2, has not had it all his way in the tough contest against many of the world’s leading competitors in this hard-fought class. At the Brescia track, the heavens played havoc in Sunday’s final - then what happened was unpredictable. At the prize-giving it was an Italian, Mauro Simoni, standing proud for his national anthem at round 3 in July in his guest appearance to test his own skills beside the European tourists. In the series the points are close between Bol, Paul Fourquemin, Szabo Bende, Xen De Ruwe and reigning RMCGF champion Ragnar Veerus in the top 5. But will they be in the Lonato limelight… or will the fast Italians shine again?
It was an overwhelming feeling of emotion to win at home for the Mauro Simoni, “Round 3 was a race that started badly, in which I struggled to find the right speed. On Sunday, however, everything was perfect right from the warm up. The pre-final on used tires went well and I recovered some positions. In the final I had the advantage of the new tyres, but I started in the middle of the group and the comeback would have been difficult. The start went well and I immediately recovered a few positions, after a couple of laps when it started to rain I understood that the race would probably be interrupted and that it was time to attack. I soon took the lead until the red flag came out as expected. At the restart with wet tires, having the pole position, I knew that the only thing to do was to set my pace without mistakes and stay focused. Fortunately I immediately broke away from the group and I was able to manage the race until the finish. I would also like to thank my mechanic, SP motorsport, KTRE Race and Rotax Tech Support – who all made this success possible for me.”
Nicolas Picot is the defending European champion in the Rotax DD2 Masters. He’s determined to retain his title and be able to join the contest at the RMCGF another time together with his team members from France. Finishing second already in Bahrain last December, the team boss running his own outfit was on a hat-trick when he took the honours in Italy at the third round. Lithuania’s Martynas Tankevicius is leading the charge in P2 from Igor Mukhin in the over 32-years class.
This would be the ninth Grand Finals for Nicolas Picot if he is successful in his campaign. He’s hoping to make it a clean sweep in the championship rounds in 2024, “It was a good race for me last month, with more of a challenge driving separate from the DD2 class. I was able to manage my final well and in the end have a sufficient gap to not be worried in the last laps of the race. It’s a good thing to have come here to Italy to race the Euro for a change to the RMCET circuits. I am happy to have won the third round as it allowed me to make a little more difference in the standings going into Lonato. We’ll have to finish getting the perfect score there – that would be ideal.”
Rotax E20 Senior will contest their third and concluding edition of the RMC Euro Trophy to end the season in Italy. The vice champion at the 2023 Grand Finals, Spencer Brougham, has succeeded in taking the victory up to this stage in both rounds prior. The British driver also competes at home in the MAX class, but enjoys the chance to get behind the wheel of the cool electric race kart. His closest rival, who is no stranger to the E20, is Raul Vargas and just two points away from him is Will Elswood. The trio are locked into the fight for the tickets in three different classes at the RMCGF in Sarno, but the South Garda Karting circuit offers a new challenge that could produce a new winner.
Spencer Brougham has mastered the unique parity and performance of the ‘Arrive & Drive’ concept, “The weekend at Franciacorta was amazing as a whole. Being one of the fastest, I managed to maximise the performance of the kart and was able to take the most points from the weekend. The competition is extremely competitive, although there are not many of us in the series we are all so close which makes the racing so good. The E-kart is a good kart to drive, very fast and it generates extremely even racing. It helps you learn how to adapt as it is so different to everything else. The championship is very close and going into the last round in the lead really does give me confidence.”
Hector Ramirez won the opening round of two in the Rotax E20 Masters, travelling all the way from Chile to race for the third year running in the E-Kart in Europe. At 69, the DD2 driver is close to four times the age of the leading E20 Senior. He absolutely savours the experience of participating at the amazing circuits scheduled on the calendar and also wants to qualify for the RMCGF again in 2024.
Race fans are welcome at what promises to be an action-packed event at South Garda Karting from August 29 to 31, for an exciting weekend of racing to decide the championship winners for 2024. The program begins at lunchtime each day, going later into the evening with racing under lights. Qualifying starts proceedings after the practice is done on Thursday afternoon and the first races will take place into the evening. Friday’s racing begins at 2.20pm with 21 heats scheduled until 9.40pm. The livestream kicks off on Saturday afternoon with the Pre-finals at 4pm, including the prize-giving ceremony immediately following each Final.
Find more details here
LIVE TIMING
TIMETABLE
RESULTS
Media links:
YouTube
Web – https://www.rotaxmaxchallenge-eurotrophy.com & Motorsport.com
Facebook & Instagram – Rotax MAX Euro Trophy
For more ROTAX RACING news - https://www.rotax-racing.com/ & Social Media @rotaxkarting
Text Jen Wade Photos HelloFoto
