Rotax Max Challenge

The Rotax Max Challenge (RMC) is a kart racing series owned and organized worldwide by BRP-Rotax and its distributors, approved and in compliance with CIK-FIA. Competition takes place on a national, international and continental level which culminates in the Grand Finals once a year.

Concept

The RMC follows a "one-make-engine" formula: only Rotax Max kart engines are allowed. The success in the competition is mainly up to the skills of the driver and that driver's experience in the set up of the engine and the chassis.

Three race classes are recognized for international competition:

• Junior MAX, with 20.4 hp (13–16 years of age)
• MAX, with 28.5 hp (15 years and older)
• DD2, 2 speed shifter class with 32.6 hp (15 years and older)

Competition at the national level can include additional classes at the discretion of each national RMC. For example, the US RMC includes the following classes:

• Micro MAX, with 6.8 hp (7–10 years of age)
• Mini MAX, with 13.5 hp (9–12 years of age)
• Junior MAX, with 20.4 hp (13–16 years of age)
• Senior MAX, with 28.5 hp (15 years and older)
• Masters MAX, with 28.5 hp (32 years and older)
• DD2 MAX, 2 speed shifter class with 32.6 hp (15 years and older)

Authorised distributors of Rotax kart products offer their customers a national RMC programme according to the “Rotax Sporting and Technical Regulations” defined by BRP-Rotax. This results in a fair competition between kart racers that share the same interests.

National Rotax Max Challenge:

• nearly 7,500 active Rotax MAX drivers in the RMC programme as well as another 7,500 active drivers in race series following the RMC idea.
• competing in over 55 countries on all 5 continents around the globe

International / Continental Rotax Max Challenge competitions:

• Rotax MAX Euro Challenge (over 150 drivers participating)
• Rotax MAX Asia Challenge (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, China, Singapore)
• Rotax MAX Pan America & Caribbean Challenge

Out of all national as well as continental and international series, drivers qualify for the annual RMC Grand Finals, which is an invitational race. BRP-Rotax and its partners supply all engines and karts for the event.

RMC Grand Finals

The Grand Finals of the RMC is an international CIK event. Drivers can qualify for the RMC Grand Final via the national Challenge of their home country and the international RMC. The season's winners of each class of all national RMCs and of the international RMC participate free of cost.

The basic intention of the RMC Grand Finals is to apply the Olympic spirit to an international semi-professional kart racing series. Every year, competitors from more than 50 countries, from five continents, can qualify for the annual Grand Finals of the Rotax Max Challenge.

History

The first edition of the Grand Finals took place in 2000 on the island of Puerto Rico with 66 drivers representing 19 countries.

In 2001, finalists were invited to the tropical island of Langkawi in Malaysia. That year, 68 drivers from 29 countries compete for the RMC "world champion" title.

South Africa hosted the Grand Finals in 2002, on a track just outside Pretoria. Drivers from 33 different nations were vying for the gold.

In 2003, the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals moved to Egypt. That year, the Junior category was introduced. It was also the company's first time cooperating with a chassis manufacturer in order to supply comparable karts to the competitors. The Junior category raced on a 'single make' chassis supplied by CRG while the seniors raced on their private chassis. This move increased the number of participants to almost 100, representing close to 40 different countries.

The volcanic island of Lanzarote in Spain welcomed the 5th Grand Finals in 2004. That event saw for the first time all competitors racing on supplied 'single make' chassis provided by CRG for the Junior category and by BRP-Rotax for the Senior category. Another milestone was the first use by the senior category of the Rotax RM1 chassis with the new 2-speed shifter engine–the 125 MAX DD2.

The Grand Finals returned to Malaysia in 2005. This time, BRP-Rotax presented an even larger event by running three categories: Junior MAX, Senior MAX and the RM1 shifter (now DD2). The event attracted 140 drivers from 43 nations.

Viana do Castelo in Portugal was the host of the 2006 edition of the RMC Grand Finals and reached a record 186 participants from about 50 countries.

In 2007, the 8th RMC Grand Finals took place at the Al Ain Raceway, a modern and brand new kart racing facility in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates operated by Pro Motorsports / Al Ain Sportplex.

In 2008, the racing event moved to the track of La Conca–Muro Leccese, Italy, with 216 drivers. La Conca is one the best karting facilities on earth, located 80 km south of Brindisi and close to the city of Otranto in the beautiful region of Apulia.

The 2009 edition took place in December on the desert track of Ghibli Raceway Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. For 2010 the event is heading towards the south of Italy again. At this event the first time 252 drivers will participate as a new category the 125 DD2 MASTERS was added, which is a category for the +32 years old.

Winners

References

External links

• Rotax Max Challenge official website
• Pictures of the 2008 Rotax Max Challenge
• United States Rotax Max Challenge official website