Already around 180 drivers at Wackersdorf
Already around 180 drivers at Wackersdorf

Already around 180 drivers at...

Already around 180 drivers at Wackersdorf

Already around 180 drivers at Wackersdorf

Roughly 180 drivers representing 20 nations already entered the opening round of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy.
RMC Euro Trophy Entries open for Wackersdorf
RMC Euro Trophy Entries open for Wackersdorf

RMC Euro Trophy Entries open for...

RMC Euro Trophy Entries open for Wackersdorf

RMC Euro Trophy Entries open for Wackersdorf

Registration is now open for the opening round of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy. The four-round championship will kick off in Germany at the Prokart Raceland circuit in Wackersdorf.
RMC Winter Series: Viterbo crowns the Champions of the Winter Series
RMC Winter Series: Viterbo crowns the Champions of the Winter Series

RMC Winter Series: Viterbo crowns the...

RMC Winter Series: Viterbo crowns the Champions of the Winter Series

RMC Winter Series: Viterbo crowns the Champions of the Winter Series

A sunny and mild Sunday marked the conclusion of the Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series, celebrating new round winners and overall champions. Victories on the day went to Oliver Spencer (KR Sport),...
Livestream: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo
Livestream: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo

Livestream: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax...

Livestream: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo

Livestream: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo

The first champions of the 2025 season will be crowned this weekend at the brand-new Leopard Circuit in Viterbo. Located one hour from Italy’s capital, Rome, the circuit will host the final act...
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RMC Winter Series: Viterbo, the leaders after heats

RMC Winter Series: Viterbo, the leaders...

RMC Winter Series: Viterbo, the leaders after heats

RMC Winter Series: Viterbo, the leaders after heats

The long day of heats at Round 2 of the Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series has just concluded at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo. A damp track pushed the drivers to their limits, delivering plenty of...
RMC Winter Series: Read, Kobakhidze, Mentier, Kristensen and Picot shine in the rainy qualifying at...
RMC Winter Series: Read, Kobakhidze, Mentier, Kristensen and Picot shine in the rainy qualifying at...

RMC Winter Series: Read, Kobakhidze,...

RMC Winter Series: Read, Kobakhidze, Mentier, Kristensen and Picot shine in the rainy qualifying at...

RMC Winter Series: Read, Kobakhidze, Mentier, Kristensen and Picot shine in the rainy qualifying at...

The qualifying day and first heats have just concluded at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo, which for the first time is hosting a round of the RMC Winter Series.
Results: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo
Results: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo

Results: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax MAX...

Results: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo

Results: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo

The first champions of the 2025 season will be crowned this weekend at the brand-new Leopard Circuit in Viterbo. Located one hour from Italy’s capital, Rome, the circuit will host the final act...
Live timing: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo
Live timing: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo

Live timing: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax...

Live timing: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo

Live timing: Round 2 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Leopard Circuit in Viterbo

The first champions of the 2025 season will be crowned this weekend at the brand-new Leopard Circuit in Viterbo. Located one hour from Italy’s capital, Rome, the circuit will host the final act...
Winter Series Champions to be crowned in Viterbo
Winter Series Champions to be crowned in Viterbo

Winter Series Champions to be crowned in...

Winter Series Champions to be crowned in Viterbo

Winter Series Champions to be crowned in Viterbo

The first champions of the 2025 season will be crowned this week at the brand-new Leopard Circuit in Viterbo. Located one hour from Italy’s capital, Rome, the circuit will host the final act of...
RMC Grand Finals 2025 the ultimate showdown returns to Bahrain
RMC Grand Finals 2025 the ultimate showdown returns to Bahrain

RMC Grand Finals 2025 the ultimate...

RMC Grand Finals 2025 the ultimate showdown returns to Bahrain

RMC Grand Finals 2025 the ultimate showdown returns to Bahrain

BRP-Rotax is thrilled to announce that the RMC Grand Finals 2025 is set to take place once again in the magnificent Kingdom of Bahrain! From November 29 to December 06, 2025, the world’s best...
Sunday live streaming coverage: 2025 Rotax Max BNL Karting Series - Round 1 at Karting Genk
Sunday live streaming coverage: 2025 Rotax Max BNL Karting Series - Round 1 at Karting Genk

Sunday live streaming coverage: 2025...

Sunday live streaming coverage: 2025 Rotax Max BNL Karting Series - Round 1 at Karting Genk

Sunday live streaming coverage: 2025 Rotax Max BNL Karting Series - Round 1 at Karting Genk

Live-timing 2025 Rotax Max BNL Karting Series - Round 1 at Karting Genk
Live-timing 2025 Rotax Max BNL Karting Series - Round 1 at Karting Genk

Live-timing 2025 Rotax Max BNL Karting...

Live-timing 2025 Rotax Max BNL Karting Series - Round 1 at Karting Genk

Live-timing 2025 Rotax Max BNL Karting Series - Round 1 at Karting Genk

The BNL KartingSeries is back and ready to kick off an epic season! Karting Genk “Home of Champions“ will be the place to be during the first round of the 18th season of the BNL Karting...
2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga
2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury...

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

Karting Australia can confirm that the 2025 Rotax National Cup will be hosted at Albury Wodonga Kart Racing Club on September 13-14.
RMC Winter Series: Championship standings update
RMC Winter Series: Championship standings update

RMC Winter Series: Championship...

RMC Winter Series: Championship standings update

RMC Winter Series: Championship standings update

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RMC Winter Series: Spencer, Sejersen, Bishop, Bezel and Picot win in Cremona
RMC Winter Series: Spencer, Sejersen, Bishop, Bezel and Picot win in Cremona

RMC Winter Series: Spencer, Sejersen,...

RMC Winter Series: Spencer, Sejersen, Bishop, Bezel and Picot win in Cremona

RMC Winter Series: Spencer, Sejersen, Bishop, Bezel and Picot win in Cremona

A day full of emotions marked the end of the first of two rounds of the Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at Cremona Circuit.
Livestream: Round 1 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Cremona Circuit
Livestream: Round 1 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Cremona Circuit

Livestream: Round 1 of the 2025 Rotax...

Livestream: Round 1 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Cremona Circuit

Livestream: Round 1 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Cremona Circuit

The stage is set at the Cremona Circuit for the highly anticipated first round of the Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series. Approximately 200 drivers will battle it out on the Lombardy-based track,...
RMC Winter Series: Sun and exciting battles in Cremona
RMC Winter Series: Sun and exciting battles in Cremona

RMC Winter Series: Sun and exciting...

RMC Winter Series: Sun and exciting battles in Cremona

RMC Winter Series: Sun and exciting battles in Cremona

A sunny day set the stage for the race heats of Round 1 of the Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at Cremona Circuit.
Relentless rain at Cremona Circuit as first heats conclude
Relentless rain at Cremona Circuit as first heats conclude

Relentless rain at Cremona Circuit as...

Relentless rain at Cremona Circuit as first heats conclude

Relentless rain at Cremona Circuit as first heats conclude

The Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series opening round is well underway at Cremona Circuit, where the rain shows no signs of stopping. The first heats have been completed, setting the stage for an...
First polemen of the year in a rainy Cremona
First polemen of the year in a rainy Cremona

First polemen of the year in a rainy...

First polemen of the year in a rainy Cremona

First polemen of the year in a rainy Cremona

The 2025 season is officially underway, and a rainy Friday has crowned the first polemen of the year.
Results: Round 1 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Cremona Circuit
Results: Round 1 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Cremona Circuit

Results: Round 1 of the 2025 Rotax MAX...

Results: Round 1 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Cremona Circuit

Results: Round 1 of the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series at the Cremona Circuit

The stage is set at the Cremona Circuit for the highly anticipated first round of the Rotax MAX Challenge Winter Series. Approximately 200 drivers will battle it out on the Lombardy-based track,...
EMR Rotax and Karting South Africa - note on joining WOMZA

Published on Thursday, January 21, 2021

EMR Rotax and Karting South Africa - note on joining WOMZA

There is an incredible amount of excitement and naturally some uncertainty since our announcement to join WOMZA. We feel that some perspective at this point will assist karters, teams, clubs etc to get a clearer picture of what is happening and why.

 

First: The decision to change to WOMZA and form Karting South Africa was not taken simply because we “did not want to share a race weekend with the other series”. Our decision was based on many more factors relating to where best we place our trust in the future of karting.

Whilst EMR Rotax is projected as a disruptor one only needs to look back to 2017 where MSA unilaterally told Rotax to go its own way because MSA/ROK and KZ were starting their own national and regional series. Interestingly MSA simultaneously sponsored a new class called “The MSA Academy” (now called OKJ) to go head-on with the extraordinarily successful (globally) Junior Max class that has run successfully here since 2004. History repeating itself – a decade earlier the Engen Supa karts split SA karting from 2007 to 2013. Rotax has worked hard throughout to make a success of its national weekends and preferred not to have the successful format disrupted once again.

Cost to the average karter is often forgotten and while forcing the two series to race together (on a very long weekend) seems great to reduce cost for the lucky few that can afford to participate in two national series. What about the majority who can only afford to participate in one series – an extra days’ accommodation, extremely limited practice, sitting out one day – this really does not work. WOMZA is also extremely conscious of cost and together with KSA we will make more sense out of this.  

 

Second: We believe karters want and need stability – the one thing that one would expect from a governing body.

MSA and our detractors are not offering stability. In the past two decades, MSA has sanctioned 28 National Championship classes. Of that number, EMR Rotax introduced 9 classes - of which 8 of these still exist today (we replaced Maxterino with Micro and Mini Max with a generous trade-in program). Of the other 19 MSA sanctioned classes 4 exist today in the MSA/ROK/KZ2 series, so when added to the 8 Rotax classes in total only 43% of the classes introduced have survived.

There have been too many classes introduced by MSA over the years that come and go and in the process fragment karting – in our experience, new classes have always targeted competitors from existing classes to feed the newest addition and then further disrupting the sport as competitors are left with dust collecting assets after a class fails.

Do not underestimate the cost and the impact that each failed class has on the sport. KSA and EMR Rotax believes that stability in classes and formats will lead to progress in growth of the sport.

We felt so strongly about this that it was necessary for change to create stability.

 

Third: EMR Rotax has continuously sought to grow South Africa’s karting base and we will keep doing so.

Growing the Bambino class in the Rotax series is a recent example where we believe we have made an incredibly significant contribution. Virtually every competitor in Kid ROK, Mini ROK, Micro and Mini Max have come into karting via Bambino. We will continue to promote this along with our rookie test days.

In addition, EMR has demonstrated year on year commitment to junior level karting in delivering 4-5 Junior level World Finals tickets. There is no bigger prize in junior level karting and we will continue to contribute to South African karting with less disruption and unnecessary interference.

 

Conclusion

Whilst nice, karting’s problems cannot be fixed by short term offers of prize money (which are directly or indirectly funded by entry fees), or badges to be pinned to a blazer. Driver’s hard work, talent and success should be absolutely recognised, and this will certainly be the case with KSA & WOMZA but far more important is a healthy pitlane environment, a brand and format that is here to support countrywide and for the long term, and year on year stability and understanding of classes and formats so that the not insignificant investments in equipment are protected.

The Rotax Max Challenge is a product – not just a good engine or durable tyres but an experience and we aim to continue to improve and grow this going forward. Our decisions have always been made with the best interest of our customers in mind. We are confident in our decision and hope that you place your faith in us as you have for the past 2 decades.

There is room for a second series and the running of a non-Rotax class on a regional race and we hope that when the dust settles that ROK/KZ will also join WOMZA KSA along with rest of SA’s karters.

We, like everyone in all formats of karting, look forward to much enjoyment in 2021 and to the continued growth of our wonderful sport.

We hope that the above provides some clarity in respect to our decision and demonstrates our only positive intent.

 

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