The Friday of the 2nd round of the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy brought numerous surprises during the Qualifying Practices and the first Heats.
The polemen were Tom Read (Strawberry Racing – German Cup by Mini MAX), Kaiden Higgins (MLC Motorsport – Junior MAX), Jayden Thien (Dan Holland Racing – Senior MAX), Enzo Bol (SP Motorsport – DD2), Nicolas Picot (Privateer – DD2 Masters), Will Elswood (E20 Senior), Hector Ramirez (E20 Masters).
German Cup by Mini MAX – It’s a Strawberry Racing Derby
The day started in the best possible way for Winter Cup winner Albert Friend (Strawberry Racing) who set the fastest time in the first session. The Englishman had no time to celebrate as teammate Tom Read took the pole position from him. Friend, however, responded in the first heat of the day by taking home the victory.
Junior MAX – Higgins Surprises Everyone
In his first experience in the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy, Kaiden Higgins (MLC Motorsport) took the pole position in Junior, achieving the best lap in Group 2. Toms Strele (Dan Holland Racing) couldn’t secure the overall pole position despite setting the fastest time in Group 1. An excellent 3rd overall place for Rayan Ghandour, the Canadian from KR Sport. Championship leader Jacob Ashcroft (Dan Holland Racing) was forced to chase, finishing only 11th. However, Ashcroft quickly made up for it in the heat, finishing 2nd after a good recovery behind Casper Nissen (RS Competition). The other heat went to Lewis Goff (Sam Pollitt Racing); Higgins finished 3rd.
Senior MAX – Thien beat everyone
Jayden Thien (Dan Holland Racing) was the fastest in the morning. The Winter Cup winner beat the competition from Thomas Bearman (KR Sport), who then took home the win in his heat.
Thien finished second in his heat, where his teammate Matthew Higgins took the victory; Austin Lee (Kraft Motorsport) was 3rd. In the final heat, Macauley Bishop (Dan Holland Racing) led the British trio, followed by Sean Butcher (KR Sport), winner of the first heat, and Caden McQueen (KR Sport).
DD2/DD2 Masters – Bol and Picot Again
Enzo Bol (SP Motorsport) and Nicolas Picot (Privateer) were once again the protagonists in the DD2 and DD2 Masters qualifying. The two repeated their performances in today’s heat, proving unbeatable this Friday.
E20 Senior/E20 Masters – Uncertainty Reigns on Day 1
Will Elswood (Kraft Motorsport) secured the first pole position of 2024 in E20 Senior. The Briton beat Spaniard Raúl Vargas (SLK Racing Academy) by just 0.084”. The battle between the two continued in Heat 1; this time Vargas came out on top with Elswood 3rd, behind Griffin Dowler (Privateer). Hector Ramirez (Privateer) represented the E20 Masters.
Information, Standings, Results at: www.rotaxmaxchallenge-eurotrophy.com
Info RMCET