Sarno: Heat, Drama and Crowning Moments at the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy 2025 Finale

The curtain fell on the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy season at the legendary Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno. Under the blazing southern Italian sun, the final round more than lived up to expectations: titles were decided, tickets to the Grand Finals were at stake, and the contenders fought hard to make history.

Friday: Surprises and Power Plays Right from Qualifying

The stage was set with a buzzing atmosphere as the final chapter began. Seven qualifying sessions and six heats quickly set the tone for the weekend.

In the Italian Euro Cup Mini MAX, Marc Quessada (MKC Motorsport) claimed pole in Group 1, but Tom Read (Strawberry Racing) and Emerson Macandrew-Uren (Dan Holland Racing) emerged as the early stars in the heats. The British driver Read made an immediate impact, winning a tightly contested opening race.

In Junior MAX, Bran Vanderveken (Bouvin Power) took everyone by surprise by grabbing overall pole, while his teammate Boaz Maximov dominated Group 2. Albert Friend (Dan Holland Racing) struck first with a heat victory, but KR Sport answered back in the second with a clean sweep led by Mazinas Majus.

Senior MAX remained wide open: Tino Sidler (Dan Holland Racing) set the fastest lap ahead of title contender Sean Butcher (KR Sport) and Cian Geraghty (Strawberry Racing). Sidler and Butcher each took a heat win, keeping the title fight very much alive.

In DD2, Sem Knopjes (DAEMS Racing) clinched pole by the narrowest of margins, but it was Mika van de Pavert (SP Motorsport) who came out on top in the heats. Among the Masters, Nicolas Picot (privateer) delivered a flawless performance, topping both qualifying and heats.

Saturday: The Heat Rises – So Do the Stakes

On Saturday, the pressure ramped up another notch. The final, decisive heats shaped the grids for the Pre-Finals in a paddock that was almost boiling over.

In Mini MAX, Emerson Macandrew-Uren bounced back with two wins and a sixth place, earning pole for the Pre-Final. Ava Lawrence (Strawberry Racing) impressed with consistency to take second overall, ahead of Oliver Spencer (KR Sport). Pole-sitter Quessada slipped to fifth after a costly result in the opening heat.

In Junior MAX, Vanderveken stayed in control with two victories and a second place. Kai Clarke (KR Sport) was the big mover of the day, climbing from 15th to 2nd overall. Majus and Avasilcutei (MKC Motorsport) rounded out the leading pack.

In Senior MAX, the title tension was palpable: Sidler held onto the lead, closely followed by Sean Butcher and Macauley Bishop (Dan Holland Racing). The rest of the Dan Holland line-up—Babickova, the Van Wijk brothers, and Cameron Nelson—were also on strong form.

In DD2, Knopjes held onto first after the heats, chased by Van de Pavert and local favourite Michael Rosina (MKC Motorsport). In DD2 Masters, Picot was simply untouchable.

Sunday: Crowning Champions and Realising Dreams

On Sunday, with Mount Vesuvius watching over, the grand finale delivered its verdict. Every point, every position mattered—each could make or break a season.

Italian Euro Cup Mini MAX: Murro Storms Through for the Title
Riley Murro (Sam Pollitt Racing) pulled off a remarkable drive, climbing from 12th on the grid to take the win in the Final and secure the 2025 title. Mik Klinkers (Bouvin Power) impressed in second, while Tom Read (Strawberry Racing) completed the podium. Early front-runners Quessada and Macandrew-Uren saw their title hopes dashed.

Junior MAX: Friend Victorious, Ashcroft Crowned
Albert Friend (Dan Holland Racing) celebrated his first RMCET win after a superb charge through the field. KR Sport’s Harry Freeman and Kai Clarke joined him on the podium. Jacob Ashcroft (Dan Holland Racing) kept his cool and consistency to be crowned champion.

Senior MAX: Butcher Takes All, Bishop Disqualified
Sean Butcher (KR Sport) capped off his season in style with victory in the Final and the championship title. Major drama followed as Macauley Bishop, initially second, was disqualified, promoting Tereza Babickova (Dan Holland Racing) to P2 and Geraghty to P3. Bishop’s penalty also saw him tumble from 2nd to 10th in the standings.

DD2/DD2 Masters: Knopjes Wins, Bezel Champion, Double for Picot
Sem Knopjes (DAEMS Racing) ended his weekend with a lights-to-flag victory. Lenn Nijs (Schepers Racing) charged through for second, and Herbots (Bouvin Power) rounded out the podium. All eyes, though, were on Jakub Bezel (Kraft Motorsport): finishing 10th in the Final, he did just enough to claim the title. In the Masters, Nicolas Picot achieved the perfect weekend—Final win and overall crown.

A Sarno Epilogue, but the Story Isn’t Over…
As the sun set over Sarno, the 2025 Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy champions were crowned. But the adventure continues: next stop, the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals 2025—the most anticipated event on the global Rotax calendar. The official list of Grand Finals qualifiers will be published soon.

Info Kartcom – Source BRP-Rotax / Photo © Hellofoto