The 18th edition of BRP’s Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals (RMCGF) has come to a thrilling end at the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve.

The week-long event held November 4 through 11 saw 360 drivers from 59 countries compete for the top spot on the podium. The drivers, considered to be the crème de la crème in their home countries, demonstrated their skills and talent battling against some of the most popular names in karting. The Kartódromo has already cultivated internationally acclaimed champions. For example, the Belgian-Dutch driver Max Verstappen, a multiple Formula 1 winner, won a world-championship at the track in 2011. Six Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals Champions were crowned by the end of the week. Tijem van der Helm from The Netherlands won in the Rotax 125 Junior MAX class, the British drive Brett Ward won the 125 MAX class, Troy Woolston of Australia became the Grand Finals champion in the DD2 Masters class and Cody Gillis of Australia won the DD2 class. This year’s RMCGF also presented the opportunity for 36 Micro MAX participants (aged 8-10 years) and 36 Mini MAX drivers (aged 10-13) to compete in a national competition race at an international level of participation. Louis Iglesias of France emerged as the victor of the Micro MAX class and the French Marcus Amand of the Mini MAX class. The Nation’s Cup was awarded to Australia. In addition to the Nation’s Cup, BRP also launched its annual Team Contest, a growing competitive event, where participating nations were given the opportunity to show off their team and country spirit. The award was given to Team Colombia. The event couldn’t have been successful without the help and support of RMCGF’s three chassis partners: Sodikart (supporting 125 MAX and 125 MAX DD2 Masters), IPKarting / Praga (supporting the 125 Junior MAX and 125 Micro MAX classes), and Birel ART (supporting the 125 MAX DD2 and 125 Mini MAX categories). New this year, Rotax partners developed the Rotax Grand Finals App, which can be downloaded on IOS or Android phones. The application serves as a direct communication link between drivers and race officials, allowing drivers to receive official communications that directly corresponds to their situation. In addition to providing real-time notifications, the application also maintains other features including live timing, live streaming, daily schedule and race results. The Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC) is a professional kart racing series established, owned and organized by BRP and its Rotax kart engine distributors. The RMC is a "one-make-engine" formula: only Rotax kart engines that are checked and sealed (for equal performance) are used. The success in the competition is mainly up to the skills of the driver.

For more information about the Rotax MAX Challenge, please visit http://www.rotax-kart.com/en/Max-Challenge/MAX-Challenge/About-ROTAX-MAX-CHALLENGE

Source: BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG