Rotax did it again: the Rotax Racing Club

More than 250 drivers representing 24 nations took part in this first edition of the Rotax Racing Club Finals and Team Trophy. But to understand the significance of these numbers, it is important to understand what we are talking about when we talk about the Rotax Racing Club and an International Event, especially considering that this was the inaugural edition and if this first edition is anything to go by, the future of the Rotax Racing Club looks very bright..

What is the Rotax Racing Club?
The goal of the Rotax Racing Club is to create an exciting arrive&drive championship making the entry into motorsports accessible. This means controlled cost, equal equipment with unmatched parity, no adjustments on chassis or tires, the difference comes down purely to the drivers which generates exciting races. The decision to combine a rental-derived chassis with a two-stroke competition engine comes from the need to provide karts that are robust, with no possibility of changing the setup (therefore preventing an advantage for those with more experienced mechanics) while guaranteeing an equal level of performance on track. Karting is, to some extent, also a contact sport, but in this type of format—with identical karts allocated by random draw before each race—it is mainly the way you drive, together with your ability to adapt to track conditions, that makes the difference.
The engine is the famous Rotax MAX - yes, the very same unit used in dozens of Rotax RMC championships around the world - here tuned to deliver slightly less power than the standard Junior-spec engines, considered the best configuration for this race series. The first edition of the RRC Finals was organized by Club100 and the chassis used were Birel ART N35X models. In other countries, such as Italy, different manufacturers may be used depending on who the championship promoter is. In Italy, for example, the chassis are supplied by TBKart, partner of the national promoter IRK, and so on.

 

Who competes in the Finals?
Just like the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals held at the end of each season, selection is based on invitation tickets earned through on-track results. There are two Junior categories (drivers aged 13 to 17) and two Senior categories (drivers aged 16 and above), differentiated by minimum weight requirements.
The race format remains unchanged from the national Rotax Racing Club events: karts are assigned by random draw, and the combined driver-plus-kart weight is determined at the beginning of the competition, allowing each driver to know exactly how much ballast must be added before the start to comply with post-race scrutineering.
The racing is always extremely competitive, and it should be noted that during these Finals the overall racecraft was particularly fair. Race control maintained a constant presence throughout the event, as is customary for Club100, which over the years has learned how to manage drivers’ competitive instincts and channel them into close wheel-to-wheel battles while remaining within the boundaries of sporting fairness—an objective that is not always easy for a promoter to achieve.

During the Silverstone weekend, 264 drivers from 24 countries took part in the inaugural Rotax Racing Club Finals and Team Trophy, representing Canada, China, Taiwan, Colombia, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Madagascar, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Wales. The drivers arrived at Silverstone after qualifying through Rotax Racing Club events held all around the world, creating an atmosphere of celebration and enjoyment both on track and throughout the paddock and side events.
The event also featured, for the first time, the integration of the Rotax TRAX timing and data analysis system, with drivers making extensive use of the platform through the mobile app on their phones throughout the weekend. The ability to analyse data, compare performances and learn from fellow competitors added another dimension to the racing experience while reinforcing the educational and developmental aspects that are at the core of the Rotax Racing Club concept.
Looking ahead to the next edition, with the project expanding into several additional countries that are expected to join the network during the year, the number of participants is forecast to increase. As for the date, it is currently expected that the 2027 edition will most likely take place in September.

 

Below are the champions of the inaugural Rotax Racing Club Finals and Team Trophy 2026:

 

Junior Super Light Weight
1.     Logan McAlister
2.     Ellis McKenzie
3.     Edgar Azevedo
 
Junior Light Weight
1.     Jamie Tiley-Gooden
2.     Jacob Marples
3.     Dawid Sniezko
 
Senior Light Weight
1.     Rory O’Regan
2.     Fraser Brunton
3.     Max Chapman
 
Senior Heavy Weight
1.   Anwar Beroual Smith
2.   Joe Holmes
3.   Alex Pritchard
 
Rotax Racing Club Team Trophy
1.   Titan Motorsport
2.   Project X
3.   Applewood x ABS