It all came down to Saturday’s finals to decide the champions for 2024 with many great battles during every close-fought race. It was extremely hot at the Lonato circuit with conditions having a direct impact on the people and material. The families and fans still turned out in numbers for an evening event of excellent racing, filled with high expectations, some surprises as always and incredible emotion. The celebrations went on late into the night alongside the packing up.
The best on the day and into the night were the stars who stole the show to become champions: Albert Friend (Mini MAX), Casper Nissen (Junior MAX), Matthew Higgins (Senior MAX), Enzo Bol (Rotax DD2), Nicolas Picot (DD2 Masters), Spencer Brougham (E20 Senior) and Hector Ramirez (E20 Masters). For the fourth round, the Finals winners included four of the championship leaders: Albert Friend, Matthew Higgins, Nicolas Picot and Spencer Brougham. The three other drivers who were also ecstatic to take the win at the last RMC Euro Trophy edition for the year were: Scott Marsh (Junior MAX), Xen De Ruwe (Rotax DD2) and Gilberto Loacker (E20 Masters).
Rotax Mini MAX
As the sun set over South Garda Karting last Thursday, the lap times were already settling the dust to determine the pole-sitters for more than 30 elimination heats to follow. In the youngest category, it was Oliver Spencer who set the pace with a 51.967 in Group 1 ahead of AJ Burggraaff in Group 2. With the RMCET Winter Cup and RMC International Trophy titles, Albert Friend had already won the German Euro Cup by Mini MAX at round 2 of the championship and his RMCGF ticket to Sarno. The goal was the European series title. He succeeded in taking the victory in all three of his heat races and Pre-Final A to rank at the top for pole in the Final. It was the RMCGF 2021 Micro MAX champ Nikita Ljubimov with two wins who would start beside him, then on row 2 with equal points Burggraaff and another heat winner Tom Read.
Saturday afternoon’s Final over 10 laps was yet another thrilling race with the impressive skills of the Mini MAX drivers. Friend was quick to lead and went on to take a lights-to-flag victory over his Strawberry Racing teammate Read. He won the RMCET championship by 37 points with a perfect score in Italy. Ljubimov completed the podium from the race pace-setter Spencer and local Giovanni Pistore rounded out the first five. The championship leader coming into the closing event was Zdenek Babicek, who failed to have the luck this weekend. He started from grid 12 and came through to finish strong in P7, narrowly missing the vice champion’s title by a mere two points to Spencer, who would be awarded the RMCGF ticket seeing Friend already had his Grand Finals entry.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Albert FRIEND (Strawberry Racing)
2. Tom READ (Strawberry Racing)
3. Nikita LJUBIMOV (Bouvin Power)
RMCET 2024 – Rotax Mini MAX
1. Albert FRIEND (Strawberry Racing)
2. Oliver SPENCER (KR Sport)
3. Zdenek BABICEK (TEPZ Racing)
Rotax Junior MAX
The Junior class had already seen three different winners at all the previous three rounds this year. Denmark’s Casper Nissen sealed the victory at the second meeting and kept up the momentum to rank first in the series, so had it all to win or lose at the decider. With his reputation preceding him, Jacob Ashcroft is a seasoned front-runner with multiple championships since Micro MAX, sat second overall and eager to take another RMCET title. He posted the fastest lap in qualifying with 48.892 and Group 1 was led by Nissen’s RS Competition teammate Mathias Kjellerup. The UK driver also topped the Ranking After Heats with two wins from three, beaten only by former Rotax Junior #1 Scott Marsh. Winner from Franciacorta round 3 Ties van Wijk separated them in the standings with double race victories too, while the remaining heat went to the pole-sitter’s teammate from Dan Holland Racing, Toms Strele. The order changed by Saturday as the competition stepped up, another DHR entry Cameron Nelson won Pre-Final A and Dutchman Van Wijk led the rankings, with the win in Pre-Final B, ahead of Ashcroft. Charlie Smith and Boaz Maximov were separated by a point to fill row 2 on the Final start grid, just one point off Nissen, who initially qualified 21st on Thursday.
The last race for Junior MAX was an action-packed 16-lapper with positions shuffling as the pressure was on. Controlled by Van Wijk then Smith, until Marsh showed up from grid 7 to lead, before a full course yellow was enforced as Maximov and Goff left the circuit. There was no looking back for Marsh after the green flag waved, while Ashcroft and Smith swapped places for second as the next group closed in. The poleman gradually dropped down the order, as did Ashcroft in his effort to find a way past the American, with Nelson therefore securing third. A pass by Nissen on Jure Levar in the late stages for P4 handed him the Euro title, edging out Van Wijk and Ashcroft in the championship. The top lady in Juniors was Marsh’s Strawberry Racing teammate Lillian Scarbrough of the USA in P7. The RMC Grand Finals ticket winners would include Nissen and Ashcroft presented with their prizes, as well as Nelson 4th overall; Van Wijk having won his ticket already at the RMC International Trophy.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Scott MARSH (Strawberry Racing)
2. Charlie SMITH (Strawberry Racing)
3. Nelson CAMERON (Dan Holland Racing)
RMCET 2024 – Rotax Junior MAX
1. Casper NISSEN (RS Competition)
2. Ties VAN WIJK (Bouvin Power)
3. Jacob ASHCROFT (Dan Holland Racing)
Rotax Senior MAX
Three groups of Seniors hit the scorching 1,200-metre track for official timed practice in the field of 81. Setting the best lap in Group 1 was Austin Lee with 48.457 to be starting on pole for all five of his heats. Only 1/1000 of a second split the next quickest in the other sessions, topped by his teammate Tino Sidler and DHR’s Jayden Thien. Italian Elia Pappacena’s lap in the first group was slightly faster, ranking P4 over Tereza Babickova and Lewis Gilbert on the timesheet. With only 9 points separating 2023 vice champ Sean Butcher leading the series and the last two rounds winner Matthew Higgins, every race would count in the fight for the title. Not to mention, the other drivers in contention too.
Following the heats, Higgins ranked at the top with two victories, two second places and a third after P11 in qualifying. Thien was P2 on the same points as Pappacena ranked third, each with one race victory, as was Vic Stevens in P4, who led the standings after round 1 in Genk and yet another class rookie Armand Hamilton P5. Lee’s quadruple of victories was tarnished by the last heat to rank six. Also taking honours in the elimination races were Gilbert, Babickova, Macauley Bishop, Butcher and Sidler. It was shaping up to be an epic battle, but one unlucky result saw the series leader ranked 20. The Pre-Finals were won by the two guys at the top of the leaderboard respectively, which is where they would start alongside each other for the Final. Hamilton put himself in a good position for the Final finishing behind Higgins, which earned the 15-year-old grid position 3 next to the Italian.
It was Higgins, Hamilton and Gilbert through the first corners heading the field in the Final. The pole-sitter lost the lead within two laps to Gilbert, as Hamilton took P2 soon after, dicing with Higgins who eventually regained his place. Lee was there as well, joined by Thien and Butcher, Pappacena falling away as the race unfolded. Bishop tagged onto the group to move into the top 5 and Lee made his move to reach the podium, only to be overtaken by Butcher fighting for the title - up 11 positions. As Gilbert stretched the gap to more than seven seconds, Higgins kept the rest at bay to win his third round and seal the championship victory, elated as he crossed the line ahead of his closest rival; Butcher, the runner-up this year once more. Lee was promoted to third after a technical infringement removed Gilbert from the results post-race, while Bishop finished fourth in front of Thien to pick up P3 in the series standings in front of the Dutch rookie. Pappacena was classified fifth overall and Babickova was the best of the girls in P8 at the chequered flag. The coveted RMCGF 2024 tickets were presented to all three on the championship podium.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Matthew HIGGINS (Dan Holland Racing)
2. Sean BUTCHER (KR Sport)
3. Austin LEE (Strawberry Racing)
RMCET 2024 – Rotax Senior MAX
1. Matthew HIGGINS (Dan Holland Racing)
2. Sean BUTCHER (KR Sport)
3. Macauley BISHOP (Dan Holland Racing)
Rotax DD2
Enzo Bol entered the RMCET again for training at his ‘home’ race in Genk, not planning to race in DD2. He claimed the victory at the Belgian and German rounds to maintain his lead in the standings, adding a podium at the Italian event in July. He had clashed in Franciacorta on track with seasoned class contender Xen De Ruwe and faced tough racing that required tact and strategy. In Lonato, the 16-year-old took pole position with 47.889 over RMCIT winner in Le Mans Leon Mandl and reigning RMCGF champion Ragnar Veerus. He was victorious in all three heats, but conceded to Slovenian-based De Ruwe in the Pre-Final. Hungary’s Bende Szabo with top 3 results in all the races until that stage shared the front row with the driver from the Netherlands for the Final. On row 2 is was De Ruwe and Leonardo Baccaglini.
With a few drivers still in the hunt for the series podium, the race was vital for the points. De Ruwe was pushing hard, posting purple sectors, and assumed the lead on lap 3, as Bol appeared to wave him by. Szabo’s efforts to finish in third place were undone with a start penalty relegating him to P7. Instead, it was Kylian Guerin advancing four positions to reach the last step on the podium and Pre-Final pace-setter Lenn Nijs in P4. RMCET Winter Cup champion Patriks Noels Locmelis finished fifth after exiting the asphalt in the early part of the 16 laps. De Ruwe was thrilled to have won the round in Italy, where he had lived and worked for many years. Bol was crowned champion, one place higher than 2023 and the SP Motorsport driver set the fastest lap of the Final. The vice champion’s title went to De Ruwe and they both received their RMCGF 2024 tickets from Rotax. Third overall was Szabo then Paul Fourquemin and Veerus P5 in their own close battle for points.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Xen DE RUWE (AKK Sportstil)
2. Enzo BOL (SP Motorsport)
3. Kylian GUERIN
RMCET 2024 – Rotax DD2
1. Enzo BOL (SP Motorsport)
2. Xen DE RUWE (AKK Sportstil)
3. Bende SZABO (KSB Racing Team)
Rotax DD2 Masters
Nicolas Picot defended his title with a degree of ease, ending the series with the perfect results from the victory at all four rounds. The experienced driver and team boss knows the competition provides some great rivalry, which he enjoys by working independently at the Rotax Euro events. He has stayed at the top of the standings in the over 32-year field. When the races were combined with the Rotax DD2 class where he had been running inside the top 5 to 10, the Frenchman was well aware that the regulation weight difference would limit the speed in comparison. In the absence of his nearest competitor, Martynas Tankevicius, sitting second before the South Garda event, his title campaign was admittedly without the pressure of the three-time RMCET Winter Cup champion.
Picot was the fastest qualifier with 48.322 and topped the rankings following the races, winning the Final classification and DD2 Masters standings. With eight RMCGF to his name already, he is now aiming for a successful 2024 result since winning his ticket to be in Sarno with Team France, in addition to supporting his own teammates who qualify. Igor Mukhin finished P2 for the weekend and Euro Trophy series vice champion, 25 points ahead of Christophe Capitaine. Tankevicius ended with P4 in the championship and fifth overall went to Dimo Notarfrancesco.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Nicolas PICOT (NPS)
2. Igor MUKHIN
3. Christophe CAPITAINE (RM Concept)
RMCET 2024 – Rotax DD2 Masters
1. Nicolas PICOT (NPS)
2. Igor MUKHIN
3. Christophe CAPITAINE (RM Concept)
Rotax E20 Senior
The CIK-FIA Approved international electric racing series has been contested over three rounds this season, beginning with Wackersdorf, Germany, and followed by the two events in Italy. The laptime to beat Thursday was 48.676 set by Will Elswood, with a gap of 0.128 seconds to fellow UK E20 Senior Spencer Brougham, double round winner so far in 2024. Nineteen-year-old Elswood looked virtually unstoppable when he boosted his title chances by winning each of the three heats. Spaniard Raul Vargas drove to a convincing win in the Pre-Final, after Loacker and Elswood were involved in an incident during lap 1 that sidelined the pole-sitter and his rival received a penalty. In the Final Phase, Elswood ranked first to be on pole for the Final, then it was Brougham, Vargas and Loacker.
Brougham was looking into the data supplied by the Rotax team for the E-Kart competitors, hoping to fine tune his own driving style at the unfamiliar South Garda Karting. If he wanted to repeat his initial two rounds and make it a hat-trick, he had to move into the lead from the start of the Final. The race strategy played out and Elswood could not retain his lead, as Brougham pulled a decent gap to the trio chasing him. They were swapping places numerous times over the course of the 10 laps, each taking turns to lead. Loacker’s kart mounted Elswood’s back bumper in the close combat and there was damage sustained. Vargas moved into P2 and held out the attack from the Swiss driver, as they used their unique Boost function every lap to benefit. Brougham won the title, making it a clean sweep for the series and winning his ticket to the RMCGF in Rotax Senior MAX. Vargas won the Rotax DD2 ticket as the RMCET vice champion. Both drivers incidentally compete in the same Rotax MAX categories in their local championships at home. Elswood finished third overall and Loacker P3 for the event. They were presented with their RMCGF tickets in the Rotax E20 Senior class, where they will compete for the Grand Finals E-Kart title.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Spencer BROUGHAM
2. Raul VARGAS (S.L.K. Racing Academy)
3. Phillip LOACKER
RMCET 2024 – Rotax E20 Senior
1. Spencer BROUGHAM
2. Raul VARGAS (S.L.K. Racing Academy)
3. Will ELSWOOD
Rotax E20 Masters
The E-Kart was put to the test in the sweltering conditions at Lonato by the experienced E20 Masters duo of previous E20 competitor Gilberto Loacker and Euro Trophy series driver Hector Ramirez. Also racing in the DD2 class obviously helps with the simple transition for these drivers to the race kart granted CIK-FIA Approval as well earlier this season. Loacker clocked the quicker lap to start the competition with 50.316 in the qualifying session. Ramirez has been racing the Rotax electric class for three years now, in between his RMC events in Chile and ultimately at the RMC Grand Finals. Over the weekend, it was Loacker from Switzerland who dominated the results by a margin, leading the way to the round 3 victory in each race. The RMCGF 2024 ticket was awarded to championship winner Ramirez, who was committed to the goals of enjoying his racing in karts for another season until he turns 70 and to qualify for the Rotax Racing flagship event yet when it’s possible. Most important was that they had a lot of fun together with the ‘Arrive & Drive’ concept package, although it was rather warm on track, and it was a cool atmosphere with all the RMCET competitors.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Gilberto LOACKER
2. Hector RAMIREZ
RMCET 2024 – Rotax E20 Masters
1. Hector RAMIREZ
2. Gilberto LOACKER
2024 has brought a new era to the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy with the change to a new organisation, WSK Promotions, but the history of the international event continues to deliver some spectacular racing. The depth of talent that builds within this European-based series remains a prominent part of the championship, where drivers and teams develop and grow, while matching their skills with many of the best in their field. The competition only gets better and better as the season rolls on. It’s undoubtedly regarded as the series that guarantees a strong line-up of more than 200 global entries in seven Rotax categories, including privateers and factory-supported drivers who come from in excess of 30 nations. The RMCET is fiercely competitive and ensures each edition is fought out on the most amazing, famous circuits Europe has to offer – modern day and historic.
For engine manufacturer BRP-Rotax, the event is paramount in providing the highest level series for their one make Rotax 125 MAX Evo engine and Rotax E20 electric kart classes running on MOJO Racing Tyres over four rounds plus the Winter Cup to start the year. It is here that their customers are given the platform to challenge and compare their own skills, talent, strategy and performance throughout the season at various venues. The allocation of 17 RMC Grand Finals tickets to the Rotax calendar highlight event in Sarno, Italy, this October 19-26 is the reward for the deserving champions and designated winners, along with the extra prizes for all competitors to win; a brand new Rotax MAX engine and 2025 RMCET season entry. Although every driver has the honour of representing their own country at the RMCGF, history tells us that the front-runners and podiums will more than likely include this European Rotax championship team. All eyes will be on the showdown in Napoli!
RESULTS
MEDIA
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@RotaxMAXChallengeEuroTrophy
Web – https://www.rotaxmaxchallenge-eurotrophy.com & Motorsport.com
Facebook & Instagram – Rotax MAX Euro Trophy
Official RMCET website
For more ROTAX RACING news - https://www.rotax-racing.com/ & Social Media @rotaxkarting
Text Jen Wade Photos Hellofoto
The best on the day and into the night were the stars who stole the show to become champions: Albert Friend (Mini MAX), Casper Nissen (Junior MAX), Matthew Higgins (Senior MAX), Enzo Bol (Rotax DD2), Nicolas Picot (DD2 Masters), Spencer Brougham (E20 Senior) and Hector Ramirez (E20 Masters). For the fourth round, the Finals winners included four of the championship leaders: Albert Friend, Matthew Higgins, Nicolas Picot and Spencer Brougham. The three other drivers who were also ecstatic to take the win at the last RMC Euro Trophy edition for the year were: Scott Marsh (Junior MAX), Xen De Ruwe (Rotax DD2) and Gilberto Loacker (E20 Masters).
Rotax Mini MAX
As the sun set over South Garda Karting last Thursday, the lap times were already settling the dust to determine the pole-sitters for more than 30 elimination heats to follow. In the youngest category, it was Oliver Spencer who set the pace with a 51.967 in Group 1 ahead of AJ Burggraaff in Group 2. With the RMCET Winter Cup and RMC International Trophy titles, Albert Friend had already won the German Euro Cup by Mini MAX at round 2 of the championship and his RMCGF ticket to Sarno. The goal was the European series title. He succeeded in taking the victory in all three of his heat races and Pre-Final A to rank at the top for pole in the Final. It was the RMCGF 2021 Micro MAX champ Nikita Ljubimov with two wins who would start beside him, then on row 2 with equal points Burggraaff and another heat winner Tom Read.
Saturday afternoon’s Final over 10 laps was yet another thrilling race with the impressive skills of the Mini MAX drivers. Friend was quick to lead and went on to take a lights-to-flag victory over his Strawberry Racing teammate Read. He won the RMCET championship by 37 points with a perfect score in Italy. Ljubimov completed the podium from the race pace-setter Spencer and local Giovanni Pistore rounded out the first five. The championship leader coming into the closing event was Zdenek Babicek, who failed to have the luck this weekend. He started from grid 12 and came through to finish strong in P7, narrowly missing the vice champion’s title by a mere two points to Spencer, who would be awarded the RMCGF ticket seeing Friend already had his Grand Finals entry.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Albert FRIEND (Strawberry Racing)
2. Tom READ (Strawberry Racing)
3. Nikita LJUBIMOV (Bouvin Power)
RMCET 2024 – Rotax Mini MAX
1. Albert FRIEND (Strawberry Racing)
2. Oliver SPENCER (KR Sport)
3. Zdenek BABICEK (TEPZ Racing)
Rotax Junior MAX
The Junior class had already seen three different winners at all the previous three rounds this year. Denmark’s Casper Nissen sealed the victory at the second meeting and kept up the momentum to rank first in the series, so had it all to win or lose at the decider. With his reputation preceding him, Jacob Ashcroft is a seasoned front-runner with multiple championships since Micro MAX, sat second overall and eager to take another RMCET title. He posted the fastest lap in qualifying with 48.892 and Group 1 was led by Nissen’s RS Competition teammate Mathias Kjellerup. The UK driver also topped the Ranking After Heats with two wins from three, beaten only by former Rotax Junior #1 Scott Marsh. Winner from Franciacorta round 3 Ties van Wijk separated them in the standings with double race victories too, while the remaining heat went to the pole-sitter’s teammate from Dan Holland Racing, Toms Strele. The order changed by Saturday as the competition stepped up, another DHR entry Cameron Nelson won Pre-Final A and Dutchman Van Wijk led the rankings, with the win in Pre-Final B, ahead of Ashcroft. Charlie Smith and Boaz Maximov were separated by a point to fill row 2 on the Final start grid, just one point off Nissen, who initially qualified 21st on Thursday.
The last race for Junior MAX was an action-packed 16-lapper with positions shuffling as the pressure was on. Controlled by Van Wijk then Smith, until Marsh showed up from grid 7 to lead, before a full course yellow was enforced as Maximov and Goff left the circuit. There was no looking back for Marsh after the green flag waved, while Ashcroft and Smith swapped places for second as the next group closed in. The poleman gradually dropped down the order, as did Ashcroft in his effort to find a way past the American, with Nelson therefore securing third. A pass by Nissen on Jure Levar in the late stages for P4 handed him the Euro title, edging out Van Wijk and Ashcroft in the championship. The top lady in Juniors was Marsh’s Strawberry Racing teammate Lillian Scarbrough of the USA in P7. The RMC Grand Finals ticket winners would include Nissen and Ashcroft presented with their prizes, as well as Nelson 4th overall; Van Wijk having won his ticket already at the RMC International Trophy.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Scott MARSH (Strawberry Racing)
2. Charlie SMITH (Strawberry Racing)
3. Nelson CAMERON (Dan Holland Racing)
RMCET 2024 – Rotax Junior MAX
1. Casper NISSEN (RS Competition)
2. Ties VAN WIJK (Bouvin Power)
3. Jacob ASHCROFT (Dan Holland Racing)
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Rotax Senior MAX
Three groups of Seniors hit the scorching 1,200-metre track for official timed practice in the field of 81. Setting the best lap in Group 1 was Austin Lee with 48.457 to be starting on pole for all five of his heats. Only 1/1000 of a second split the next quickest in the other sessions, topped by his teammate Tino Sidler and DHR’s Jayden Thien. Italian Elia Pappacena’s lap in the first group was slightly faster, ranking P4 over Tereza Babickova and Lewis Gilbert on the timesheet. With only 9 points separating 2023 vice champ Sean Butcher leading the series and the last two rounds winner Matthew Higgins, every race would count in the fight for the title. Not to mention, the other drivers in contention too.
Following the heats, Higgins ranked at the top with two victories, two second places and a third after P11 in qualifying. Thien was P2 on the same points as Pappacena ranked third, each with one race victory, as was Vic Stevens in P4, who led the standings after round 1 in Genk and yet another class rookie Armand Hamilton P5. Lee’s quadruple of victories was tarnished by the last heat to rank six. Also taking honours in the elimination races were Gilbert, Babickova, Macauley Bishop, Butcher and Sidler. It was shaping up to be an epic battle, but one unlucky result saw the series leader ranked 20. The Pre-Finals were won by the two guys at the top of the leaderboard respectively, which is where they would start alongside each other for the Final. Hamilton put himself in a good position for the Final finishing behind Higgins, which earned the 15-year-old grid position 3 next to the Italian.
It was Higgins, Hamilton and Gilbert through the first corners heading the field in the Final. The pole-sitter lost the lead within two laps to Gilbert, as Hamilton took P2 soon after, dicing with Higgins who eventually regained his place. Lee was there as well, joined by Thien and Butcher, Pappacena falling away as the race unfolded. Bishop tagged onto the group to move into the top 5 and Lee made his move to reach the podium, only to be overtaken by Butcher fighting for the title - up 11 positions. As Gilbert stretched the gap to more than seven seconds, Higgins kept the rest at bay to win his third round and seal the championship victory, elated as he crossed the line ahead of his closest rival; Butcher, the runner-up this year once more. Lee was promoted to third after a technical infringement removed Gilbert from the results post-race, while Bishop finished fourth in front of Thien to pick up P3 in the series standings in front of the Dutch rookie. Pappacena was classified fifth overall and Babickova was the best of the girls in P8 at the chequered flag. The coveted RMCGF 2024 tickets were presented to all three on the championship podium.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Matthew HIGGINS (Dan Holland Racing)
2. Sean BUTCHER (KR Sport)
3. Austin LEE (Strawberry Racing)
RMCET 2024 – Rotax Senior MAX
1. Matthew HIGGINS (Dan Holland Racing)
2. Sean BUTCHER (KR Sport)
3. Macauley BISHOP (Dan Holland Racing)
Rotax DD2
Enzo Bol entered the RMCET again for training at his ‘home’ race in Genk, not planning to race in DD2. He claimed the victory at the Belgian and German rounds to maintain his lead in the standings, adding a podium at the Italian event in July. He had clashed in Franciacorta on track with seasoned class contender Xen De Ruwe and faced tough racing that required tact and strategy. In Lonato, the 16-year-old took pole position with 47.889 over RMCIT winner in Le Mans Leon Mandl and reigning RMCGF champion Ragnar Veerus. He was victorious in all three heats, but conceded to Slovenian-based De Ruwe in the Pre-Final. Hungary’s Bende Szabo with top 3 results in all the races until that stage shared the front row with the driver from the Netherlands for the Final. On row 2 is was De Ruwe and Leonardo Baccaglini.
With a few drivers still in the hunt for the series podium, the race was vital for the points. De Ruwe was pushing hard, posting purple sectors, and assumed the lead on lap 3, as Bol appeared to wave him by. Szabo’s efforts to finish in third place were undone with a start penalty relegating him to P7. Instead, it was Kylian Guerin advancing four positions to reach the last step on the podium and Pre-Final pace-setter Lenn Nijs in P4. RMCET Winter Cup champion Patriks Noels Locmelis finished fifth after exiting the asphalt in the early part of the 16 laps. De Ruwe was thrilled to have won the round in Italy, where he had lived and worked for many years. Bol was crowned champion, one place higher than 2023 and the SP Motorsport driver set the fastest lap of the Final. The vice champion’s title went to De Ruwe and they both received their RMCGF 2024 tickets from Rotax. Third overall was Szabo then Paul Fourquemin and Veerus P5 in their own close battle for points.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Xen DE RUWE (AKK Sportstil)
2. Enzo BOL (SP Motorsport)
3. Kylian GUERIN
RMCET 2024 – Rotax DD2
1. Enzo BOL (SP Motorsport)
2. Xen DE RUWE (AKK Sportstil)
3. Bende SZABO (KSB Racing Team)
Rotax DD2 Masters
Nicolas Picot defended his title with a degree of ease, ending the series with the perfect results from the victory at all four rounds. The experienced driver and team boss knows the competition provides some great rivalry, which he enjoys by working independently at the Rotax Euro events. He has stayed at the top of the standings in the over 32-year field. When the races were combined with the Rotax DD2 class where he had been running inside the top 5 to 10, the Frenchman was well aware that the regulation weight difference would limit the speed in comparison. In the absence of his nearest competitor, Martynas Tankevicius, sitting second before the South Garda event, his title campaign was admittedly without the pressure of the three-time RMCET Winter Cup champion.
Picot was the fastest qualifier with 48.322 and topped the rankings following the races, winning the Final classification and DD2 Masters standings. With eight RMCGF to his name already, he is now aiming for a successful 2024 result since winning his ticket to be in Sarno with Team France, in addition to supporting his own teammates who qualify. Igor Mukhin finished P2 for the weekend and Euro Trophy series vice champion, 25 points ahead of Christophe Capitaine. Tankevicius ended with P4 in the championship and fifth overall went to Dimo Notarfrancesco.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Nicolas PICOT (NPS)
2. Igor MUKHIN
3. Christophe CAPITAINE (RM Concept)
RMCET 2024 – Rotax DD2 Masters
1. Nicolas PICOT (NPS)
2. Igor MUKHIN
3. Christophe CAPITAINE (RM Concept)
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Rotax E20 Senior
The CIK-FIA Approved international electric racing series has been contested over three rounds this season, beginning with Wackersdorf, Germany, and followed by the two events in Italy. The laptime to beat Thursday was 48.676 set by Will Elswood, with a gap of 0.128 seconds to fellow UK E20 Senior Spencer Brougham, double round winner so far in 2024. Nineteen-year-old Elswood looked virtually unstoppable when he boosted his title chances by winning each of the three heats. Spaniard Raul Vargas drove to a convincing win in the Pre-Final, after Loacker and Elswood were involved in an incident during lap 1 that sidelined the pole-sitter and his rival received a penalty. In the Final Phase, Elswood ranked first to be on pole for the Final, then it was Brougham, Vargas and Loacker.
Brougham was looking into the data supplied by the Rotax team for the E-Kart competitors, hoping to fine tune his own driving style at the unfamiliar South Garda Karting. If he wanted to repeat his initial two rounds and make it a hat-trick, he had to move into the lead from the start of the Final. The race strategy played out and Elswood could not retain his lead, as Brougham pulled a decent gap to the trio chasing him. They were swapping places numerous times over the course of the 10 laps, each taking turns to lead. Loacker’s kart mounted Elswood’s back bumper in the close combat and there was damage sustained. Vargas moved into P2 and held out the attack from the Swiss driver, as they used their unique Boost function every lap to benefit. Brougham won the title, making it a clean sweep for the series and winning his ticket to the RMCGF in Rotax Senior MAX. Vargas won the Rotax DD2 ticket as the RMCET vice champion. Both drivers incidentally compete in the same Rotax MAX categories in their local championships at home. Elswood finished third overall and Loacker P3 for the event. They were presented with their RMCGF tickets in the Rotax E20 Senior class, where they will compete for the Grand Finals E-Kart title.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Spencer BROUGHAM
2. Raul VARGAS (S.L.K. Racing Academy)
3. Phillip LOACKER
RMCET 2024 – Rotax E20 Senior
1. Spencer BROUGHAM
2. Raul VARGAS (S.L.K. Racing Academy)
3. Will ELSWOOD
Rotax E20 Masters
The E-Kart was put to the test in the sweltering conditions at Lonato by the experienced E20 Masters duo of previous E20 competitor Gilberto Loacker and Euro Trophy series driver Hector Ramirez. Also racing in the DD2 class obviously helps with the simple transition for these drivers to the race kart granted CIK-FIA Approval as well earlier this season. Loacker clocked the quicker lap to start the competition with 50.316 in the qualifying session. Ramirez has been racing the Rotax electric class for three years now, in between his RMC events in Chile and ultimately at the RMC Grand Finals. Over the weekend, it was Loacker from Switzerland who dominated the results by a margin, leading the way to the round 3 victory in each race. The RMCGF 2024 ticket was awarded to championship winner Ramirez, who was committed to the goals of enjoying his racing in karts for another season until he turns 70 and to qualify for the Rotax Racing flagship event yet when it’s possible. Most important was that they had a lot of fun together with the ‘Arrive & Drive’ concept package, although it was rather warm on track, and it was a cool atmosphere with all the RMCET competitors.
Round 4 – Lonato, Italy
1. Gilberto LOACKER
2. Hector RAMIREZ
RMCET 2024 – Rotax E20 Masters
1. Hector RAMIREZ
2. Gilberto LOACKER
2024 has brought a new era to the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy with the change to a new organisation, WSK Promotions, but the history of the international event continues to deliver some spectacular racing. The depth of talent that builds within this European-based series remains a prominent part of the championship, where drivers and teams develop and grow, while matching their skills with many of the best in their field. The competition only gets better and better as the season rolls on. It’s undoubtedly regarded as the series that guarantees a strong line-up of more than 200 global entries in seven Rotax categories, including privateers and factory-supported drivers who come from in excess of 30 nations. The RMCET is fiercely competitive and ensures each edition is fought out on the most amazing, famous circuits Europe has to offer – modern day and historic.
For engine manufacturer BRP-Rotax, the event is paramount in providing the highest level series for their one make Rotax 125 MAX Evo engine and Rotax E20 electric kart classes running on MOJO Racing Tyres over four rounds plus the Winter Cup to start the year. It is here that their customers are given the platform to challenge and compare their own skills, talent, strategy and performance throughout the season at various venues. The allocation of 17 RMC Grand Finals tickets to the Rotax calendar highlight event in Sarno, Italy, this October 19-26 is the reward for the deserving champions and designated winners, along with the extra prizes for all competitors to win; a brand new Rotax MAX engine and 2025 RMCET season entry. Although every driver has the honour of representing their own country at the RMCGF, history tells us that the front-runners and podiums will more than likely include this European Rotax championship team. All eyes will be on the showdown in Napoli!
RESULTS
MEDIA
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@RotaxMAXChallengeEuroTrophy
Web – https://www.rotaxmaxchallenge-eurotrophy.com & Motorsport.com
Facebook & Instagram – Rotax MAX Euro Trophy
Official RMCET website
For more ROTAX RACING news - https://www.rotax-racing.com/ & Social Media @rotaxkarting
Text Jen Wade Photos Hellofoto
