Rotax Max Challenge

The Rotax MAX Challenge is a motor sport race formula for race karts and is approved by and in compliance with FIA / CIK (the world motor sport association).

In addition it is a kart racing on a national, international and continental level which culminates in the GRAND FINALS once a year.

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

Concept of RMC

The Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC) is a professional kart racing series established, owned and organised by Rotax and its distributors.The RMC is a "one-make-engine" formula: only Rotax kart engines are allowed.

There are three different race classes:
* JUNIOR MAX
* SENIOR MAX
* DD2 (2 speed shifter class)

Out of all national as well as continental and international series pilots qualify for the annual RMC GRAND FINALS, which is an invitational race, therefore BRP-Rotax and it´s partners supply all engines and karts at the GRAND FINALS.The success in the competition is mainly up to the skills of the driver and his/her experience in the set up of the combination of the engine and the chassis.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 (see http://www.maxchallenge-rotax.com).This results in a fair competition between semi-professional kart racers that share the same interests.

RMC GRAND FINALS

The GRAND FINALS of the RMC is an international CIK event.

Concept

Pilots can qualify for the RMC Grand Final via the national RMC 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 the 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 volcano island of Lanzerote in Spain welcomed the 5^th 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 close to 50 countries.

The 8th RMC GRAND FINALS 2007 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.

Racing and Awards

The competition is carried out in three classes:
* ROTAX JUNIOR MAX with 20,4 hp ( 13-16 years of age)
* ROTAX MAX with 28,5 hp (15 years and older)
* ROTAX DD2 with 32,6 hp and 2 speed gearbox (15 years and older)

Winners of the competitions

Grand Finals 2008

The 9^th ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS will take place on the track ofLa Conca–Muro Leccese,Italy from November 25^th to November 30^th 2008.

The track of La Conca in Muro Leccese is 80 km south of Brindisi and close to the city of Otranto in the beautiful region of Apulia.The track of La Conca is unquestionably among the very best karting facilities on earth.

La Conca will welcome 216 drivers whom have qualified for the race via national as well as international race series. For a week, La Conca will become the centre of interest for anybody involved in the ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE worldwide program.

External links

* [http://www.maxchallenge-rotax.com Rotax Max Challenge] Official Website