Rotax's World Final Wrap
| press release | 17 November 2015 |
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BRP’s 16th edition of the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals (RMCGF) has come to a thrilling and nail-biting end at the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve, with the United States of America bringing home the Nation’s Cup.
The week-long event held November 8 to 14 saw 288 drivers from 52 countries compete for the top step of the podium. The drivers, considered to be the crème de la crème in their home country, demonstrated their high-class skills and talent battling against some of the most popular names of racing.
In fact, the RMCGF is such a prestigious event that it has attracted some of the world’s most talented and well-known racers. The most popular name in the pit lane was without a doubt the Brazilian driver Rubens Barrichello, who competed in the Rotax 125 MAX DD2 class.
Barrichello is a former Formula 1 pilot for Ferrari. He helped clinch six F1 Constructors’ Titles and holds the record for competing in the most number of F1 races.
“The Rotax community as a whole is extremely proud to have hosted such a thrilling event. Not only did we have 288 entries, but we also boasted some of the most popular names in the racing industry,” said Helmut Voglsam, supervisor of BRP’s Rotax kart engines. “I think that just goes to show how well-respected and how much the RMCGF has grown over the past few years.”
Above: BRP-Rotax's "Day 7" video
Although hopes ran high throughout the weekend, just four champions were crowned by the end of the week. Florian Venturi from France won in the Rotax 125 Junior MAX class, the Italian driver Alex Alex won the 125 MAX class, Ryan Urban of New Zealand became the Grand Finals champion in the DD2 Masters class and Ferenc Kancsar of Hungary won the DD2 class.
This year’s RMCGF also presented the opportunity for 36 Micro MAX participants (ages 8-10 years) and 36 Mini MAX drivers (ages 10-13) to compete in an invitation-only race at this international-level event. 9-year-old Juan Martinez emerged as the victor of the Micro MAX class and 12-year-old Daniel Nogales of the Mini MAX class.
The Nation’s Cup was awarded to Team USA. In addition to the Nation’s Cup, BRP also launched a Team Contest, where 22 nations showed off their team and country spirit. The award was given to Team The Netherlands.
“We think we achieved a major milestone this year, because the 2015 RMCGF is the biggest karting event that has ever occurred in Portugal,” said Arnaldo Frias, Rotax kart distributor and coordinator of the 2015 RMCGF event.
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).
- The 2016 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals will be held at Sarno, Italy, on October 16-22.
