With an entry list exceeding 200 competitors, the racing saw numerous drivers leading the field within the five Rotax classes hotly contested. Rain early in the week plus heatwave conditions only added to the battle.
In each case, there were familiar – and not so familiar – faces showing up to claim the top positions as the official sessions got underway. However, some of the expected or likely contenders were not necessarily the ultimate winners on Sunday when it counted most for the vital championship points. For the youngest drivers, the Belgium Cup by Mini MAX category was awarding another RMC Grand Finals ticket to the Rotax highlight at the end of the year in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Lucien Smith secured the title and his place, with Team UK collecting Mini MAX ticket number 3 from the RMCET.
Meanwhile, the current Rotax World #1 in Junior MAX, Jacob Ashcroft, stays at the top of the table following his ultra-successful weekend, as does the reigning champion in DD2 Masters Nicolas Picot. The Frenchman has won all three rounds to date – as his own mechanic, team boss and truck driver. Senior MAX was not as clear cut and the class of 75 was scattered from the three qualifying sessions Friday. As the final unfolded, the victory fell into the well-deserving hands of the driver who raced his way to the front on the international stage – where the champions are ‘at home’ in Genk. Omar Ghannoum flew the United Arab Emirates flag high when he sealed his maiden Euro Trophy victory. His teammate Sean Butcher holds the lead in the class, consistently in the points and ever so near to winning on each occasion… including Genk. Closer to home in the Netherlands, defending RMCET DD2 title-holder Enzo Bol competed in only his second Rotax event for the season [due to his study commitments] and fought hard all the way to win against some tough rivals. Jakub Bezel’s double round success and mixed results of his 2-speed competitors, means he has kept his top spot secure.
Up until now, the season has delivered three action-packed race meetings that have attracted a strong international line-up, along with many newcomers joining the grid at the RMCET in 2025. The initial round at ProKart Raceland in Wackersdorf was a return to the very popular German track, actually giving many participants their first experience racing at the famous Bavarian location. Next up, it was almost a seven hour trip further east to the Steel Ring at Trinec in the Moravian-Silesian Region to discover a new venue for the high profile European event. This somehow altered the dynamic of the competition; stormy conditions and a cool change arrived as well, but the circuit layout and its surface, with the state-of-the-art facilities, combined to provide an interesting event.
With all four rounds counting towards the series tally to determine the champions who will take the RMCET titles, it all comes down to the closing decider in Italy on the first weekend of September. Last year’s host of the RMC Grand Finals, the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno, will provide a definite challenge to settle the scores with its demanding strategic nature and high speed. More prizes will be presented and the big tickets to Bahrain awarded at the 2025 championship ceremony.
The inclusion of the Rotax electric karts at round 4 sees the E20 Senior and E20 Masters also on the program, where RMCGF tickets are on the line as well in both classes This will be the last of the E20 E-kart races scheduled for the season in the lead-up to the flagship event in Bahrain. In addition to this, a special E-Kart Cup in Sarno the weekend prior to the RMC Euro Trophy gives competitors the chance to experience the E20 and qualify for the opportunity to represent their country too. This will be run alongside the RMC Italy (South) and Rotax Grand Festival for Micro MAX and Mini MAX. Details will be announced soon about the extra classes included at the Italian race (August 29-31).
RMCET (Round 3)
Karting Genk ‘Home of Champions, Belgium
Belgian Cup by Mini MAX
1 – Lucien Smith (KR Sport-Kosmic)
2 – Riley Murro (Sam Pollitt Racing-KR)
3 – Oliver Spencer (SP Motorsport-KR)
Rotax Junior MAX
1 – Jacob Ashcroft (Dan Holland Racing-LN)
2 – Kai Clarke (KR Sport-Kosmic)
3 – Rory Armstrong (Dan Holland Racing-LN)
Rotax Senior MAX
1 – Omar Ghannoum (KR Sport-Kosmic)
2 – Macauley Bishop (Dan Holland Racing-LN)
3 – Lewis Goff (Sam Pollitt Racing-KR)
Rotax DD2
1 – Enzo Bol (SP Motorsport-KR)
2 – William Kristensen (RS Competition-Birel ART)
3 – Ragnar Veerus (Kartletix-Birel ART)
Rotax DD2 Masters
1 – Nicolas Picot (NPS-Tony Kart)
2 – Martynas Tankevicius (Lenktyniu Linija-Birel ART)
3 – Xen De Ruwe (AKK Sportstil-Tony Kart)
RESULTS
RMCET YouTube
ROTAX RACING
Text Jen Wade & Photo Hellofoto
In each case, there were familiar – and not so familiar – faces showing up to claim the top positions as the official sessions got underway. However, some of the expected or likely contenders were not necessarily the ultimate winners on Sunday when it counted most for the vital championship points. For the youngest drivers, the Belgium Cup by Mini MAX category was awarding another RMC Grand Finals ticket to the Rotax highlight at the end of the year in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Lucien Smith secured the title and his place, with Team UK collecting Mini MAX ticket number 3 from the RMCET.
Meanwhile, the current Rotax World #1 in Junior MAX, Jacob Ashcroft, stays at the top of the table following his ultra-successful weekend, as does the reigning champion in DD2 Masters Nicolas Picot. The Frenchman has won all three rounds to date – as his own mechanic, team boss and truck driver. Senior MAX was not as clear cut and the class of 75 was scattered from the three qualifying sessions Friday. As the final unfolded, the victory fell into the well-deserving hands of the driver who raced his way to the front on the international stage – where the champions are ‘at home’ in Genk. Omar Ghannoum flew the United Arab Emirates flag high when he sealed his maiden Euro Trophy victory. His teammate Sean Butcher holds the lead in the class, consistently in the points and ever so near to winning on each occasion… including Genk. Closer to home in the Netherlands, defending RMCET DD2 title-holder Enzo Bol competed in only his second Rotax event for the season [due to his study commitments] and fought hard all the way to win against some tough rivals. Jakub Bezel’s double round success and mixed results of his 2-speed competitors, means he has kept his top spot secure.
Up until now, the season has delivered three action-packed race meetings that have attracted a strong international line-up, along with many newcomers joining the grid at the RMCET in 2025. The initial round at ProKart Raceland in Wackersdorf was a return to the very popular German track, actually giving many participants their first experience racing at the famous Bavarian location. Next up, it was almost a seven hour trip further east to the Steel Ring at Trinec in the Moravian-Silesian Region to discover a new venue for the high profile European event. This somehow altered the dynamic of the competition; stormy conditions and a cool change arrived as well, but the circuit layout and its surface, with the state-of-the-art facilities, combined to provide an interesting event.
With all four rounds counting towards the series tally to determine the champions who will take the RMCET titles, it all comes down to the closing decider in Italy on the first weekend of September. Last year’s host of the RMC Grand Finals, the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno, will provide a definite challenge to settle the scores with its demanding strategic nature and high speed. More prizes will be presented and the big tickets to Bahrain awarded at the 2025 championship ceremony.
The inclusion of the Rotax electric karts at round 4 sees the E20 Senior and E20 Masters also on the program, where RMCGF tickets are on the line as well in both classes This will be the last of the E20 E-kart races scheduled for the season in the lead-up to the flagship event in Bahrain. In addition to this, a special E-Kart Cup in Sarno the weekend prior to the RMC Euro Trophy gives competitors the chance to experience the E20 and qualify for the opportunity to represent their country too. This will be run alongside the RMC Italy (South) and Rotax Grand Festival for Micro MAX and Mini MAX. Details will be announced soon about the extra classes included at the Italian race (August 29-31).
RMCET (Round 3)
Karting Genk ‘Home of Champions, Belgium
Belgian Cup by Mini MAX
1 – Lucien Smith (KR Sport-Kosmic)
2 – Riley Murro (Sam Pollitt Racing-KR)
3 – Oliver Spencer (SP Motorsport-KR)
Rotax Junior MAX
1 – Jacob Ashcroft (Dan Holland Racing-LN)
2 – Kai Clarke (KR Sport-Kosmic)
3 – Rory Armstrong (Dan Holland Racing-LN)
Rotax Senior MAX
1 – Omar Ghannoum (KR Sport-Kosmic)
2 – Macauley Bishop (Dan Holland Racing-LN)
3 – Lewis Goff (Sam Pollitt Racing-KR)
Rotax DD2
1 – Enzo Bol (SP Motorsport-KR)
2 – William Kristensen (RS Competition-Birel ART)
3 – Ragnar Veerus (Kartletix-Birel ART)
Rotax DD2 Masters
1 – Nicolas Picot (NPS-Tony Kart)
2 – Martynas Tankevicius (Lenktyniu Linija-Birel ART)
3 – Xen De Ruwe (AKK Sportstil-Tony Kart)
RESULTS
RMCET YouTube
ROTAX RACING
Text Jen Wade & Photo Hellofoto
