DQ Pending at Rotax Euro Opener

Having dominated the Senior MAX category, Australian Sean Butcher finished third at the opening round of the Rotax Euro Trophy in Germany on the weekend. However, this could turn into second place pending the disqualification of the winner.

Butcher (KR Sport/Kosmic) qualified second fastest behind Belgian Olivier Jonckers (Daems Racing/LN Kart) in the 101-kart field. He then put on a master class demonstration, undefeated in the heats (5 wins) before winning Pre-Final A by over 3-seconds.

A disastrous start in the final saw the UK-licenced driver in the grass approaching turn one, dropping to fifth place by turn two. Butcher recovered to third over the line behind the Brit Lewis Gilbert (Kraft Motorsport/CS55) and Switzerland’s Tino Sidler (Strawberry Racing/Tony Kart).

However, the final result is not official due to Gilbert pending disqualification for using a non-conforming combustion chamber.

• official report & videos, below
• full results HERE

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Official report by BRP-Rotax

WACKERSDORF DELIVERS THRILLS – RMC Euro Trophy kicks off

The ProKart Raceland in Wackersdorf once again confirmed itself as the perfect playground for Rotax Racing, hosting an unforgettable Round 1 of the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy.

Last weekend, the first winners of the 2025 season were crowned. Trophies went to Alfie Mair (Mini MAX), Cole Denholm (Junior MAX), Lewis Gilbert (Senior MAX), Jakub Bezel (DD2), and Nicolas Picot (DD2 Masters).

The action-packed weekend started early. Rain arrived on Friday after two days of dry practice, shaking up the field and setting the tone for an unpredictable event.

Mini MAX – SFR Motorsport Dominates with Mair and Read

Mini MAX was the first category to tackle the tricky wet conditions on Friday. Emerson Macandrew-Uren (Dan Holland Racing) made a strong statement, grabbing provisional pole with a stunning last-lap effort.
But a tough opening heat derailed Emerson’s momentum, pushing him outside the top 10 despite two top-three finishes later on.

Alfie Mair (SFR Motorsport) seized the moment, racking up a second-place and two wins in the heats to take control. Mair edged ahead of rival Oliver Spencer (KR Sport) heading into the finals. While both played it safe in the Pre-Final, the Final was pure fireworks.

Spencer struggled off the line but fought back heroically to P9, while Mair kept his cool up front, holding off teammate Tom Read and Austin Oman (Sam Pollitt Racing) to secure victory and a ticket to the 2025 Rotax Grand Finals.

1. Alfie Mair
2. Tom Read
3. Austin Oman

Junior MAX – Denholm Turns Strategy into Victory

Jacob Ashcroft (Dan Holland Racing) looked unstoppable in qualifying, clocking the fastest time ahead of teammate Shun Sekiguchi and Boaz Maximov (Bouvin Power). The trio kept their momentum through the heats, with Ashcroft leading thanks to his consistent finishes.

However, Cole Denholm (Dan Holland Racing) was quietly climbing the ranks, moving up to fourth after the heats.

On Sunday, Denholm unleashed his true pace, pulling off a stunning double win, dominating both the Pre-Final and the Final after a hard-fought 14-lap scrap. Ashcroft had to settle for second, while Rory Armstrong (Dan Holland Racing) inherited third after Vince Vanderhallen (Bouvin Power) was penalized for an irregular move.

Junior MAX

1. Cole Denholm
2. Jacob Ashcroft
3. Rory Armstrong

Championship Standings

1. Cole Denholm 159
2. Jacob Ashcroft 155
3. Boaz Maximov 154

Senior MAX – Gilbert Strikes and Controls the Field

Senior MAX once again delivered a full show, with 101 drivers lighting up the track. Olivier Jonckers (DAMES) mastered the wet conditions to top Friday’s qualifying. But bad luck struck: a costly DNF in the heats dropped him out of the top spots, opening the door for Sean Butcher (KR Sport) and Lewis Gilbert (Kraft Motorsport).

Gilbert made the most of his opportunity. A perfect launch in the Final saw him snatch the lead from Butcher and never look back. Tino Sidler (Strawberry Racing) charged through the field to grab second, while Butcher fell down the order. Final results remain Sub Judice pending official confirmation.

Senior MAX

1. Lewis Gilbert
2. Tino Sidler
3. Sean Butcher

Championship Standings

1. Lewis Gilbert 162
2. Sean Butcher 160
3. Cameron Nelson 149

DD2/Masters – Bezel and Picot Shine

In DD2, Fabian Bock (Kraft Motorsport) shocked the field on Friday, becoming the second Masters driver ever to claim overall pole. But by Sunday, the Kraft Motorsport squad had tightened its grip, with Jakub Bezel leading the way through the heats and finals.

Bezel completed a perfect weekend, winning both the Pre-Final and the Final and securing Kraft Motorsport’s second victory of the day. Behind him, Tommie van der Struijs and Manuel Tenschert completed the podium.

In DD2 Masters, Nicolas Picot was once again the star of the show. Starting from the back, he produced a stunning recovery drive, climbing 11 places to win his class and finish an impressive fifth overall.

With early retirements for contenders Xen De Ruwe (SSC) and Fabian Bock, the remaining Mas-ters podium spots went to Dimo Notarfrancesco (Kart Team Meier) and Maurits Knopjes (DAEMS Racing).

DD2

1. Jakub Bezel
2. Tommie van der Struijs
3. Manuel Tenschert

Championship Standings

1. Jakub Bezel 162
2. Tommie van der Struijs 154
3. Manuel Tenschert 154

DD2 Masters

1. Nicolas Picot
2. Dimo Notarfrancesco
3. Maurits Knopjes (DAEMS Racing).

Championship Standings

1. Nicolas Picot 160
2. Fabian Bock 153
   Xen De Ruwe 153

The battle resumes in just over a month at Steel Ring Trinec, with Round 2 of the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy scheduled for June 8th!