Gunskirchen, February 24th, 2020 – For four years the Rotax MAX Challenge elite had to wait for the return of the Winter Cup event: From 21st to 23rd of February 2020 the prestigious format celebrated a remarkable comeback. Organised by Camp Company, the host of the successful Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy, the Winter Cup welcomed exactly 200 drivers, representing over 25 nations – an overwhelming feedback, proving the demand and need of a RMC Winter Cup event.
Best prepared, the modern karting complex of Campillos near Malaga was a perfect venue for the
season kick-off – a challenging 1,588 metres long track with professional facilities for all involved. And
even weather was perfect. A sunny but windy weekend with temperatures of about 18° C guaranteed
best race conditions for the drivers who were heading for victory in the categories of Micro MAX, Junior MAX, Senior MAX, MAX DD2 and MAX DD2 Masters. As for the competition the event proved to
be real trial of strength between Europes most successful RMC drivers. Ambition was high, since the
drivers did not take the Winter Cup just in order to prepare for the racing season, but fought for some
special prizes, too: the best of each category was rewarded with a free season in the upcoming Rotax
MAX Challenge Euro Trophy – all told prizes worth almost 35.000 Euro were at stake.
Micro MAX: Marsh and Radenkovic set the pace
The Micro MAX drivers made an impressive picture. For the first time, the category was part of a
RMC Euro Trophy event and welcomed 28 youngsters. They showcased pure racing action not less
thrilling than their bigger and older colleagues. Two names set the pace throughout the entire weekend: the Brit Scott Marsh (Dan Holland Racing) and Mateja Radenkovic (Bouvin Power) from Belgium. They switched the lead regularly. In qualifying Marsh had the advantage, after the heats
Radenkovic struck back. This picture continued in the finals on Sunday, where both shared the race
wins. Eventually, it was Marsh winning the decisive second race which gained him the overall victory
ahead of Radenkovic. The prize for the best supporting role went to Dutchman Dean Hoogendoorm
(KR) who completed the podium in the end.
Junior MAX: Oli Pylka nearly unbeatable
Oli Pylka (Dan Holland Racing) was the outstanding youngster in the full field of the juniors. He set
the pace in the qualifying, the heats and – despite some big pressure – in the first final. Just the second final did not go according to plan for the Polish driver. He dropped back several positions and
had to struggle hard in order to get back to the top. Finally, he did not manage the task completely,
seeing the chequered flag in second place behind Daniel Guinchard (KR Sport) from the UK. But in
the combined results of both finals, Pylka gained the most points, thereby crowning him RMC Euro
Trophy Winter Cup winner 2020. Guinchard followed in second place on the podium ahead of the
best rookie Aaron Walker (Strawberry Racing) in third place.
Senior MAX: Butcher misses victory, Valtanen wins
With 69 drivers the senior category was the biggest field at the RMC Euro Trophy Winter Cup and
promised a thrilling show. Yet one man stood out of the pack from the very beginning: Juho Valtanen
(SP Motorsport). The Finn did not only set the best time in qualifying, but kept the overall lead after
the heats. However, in Sundays first final the tide turned for the Scandinavian. He dropped back to
fourth place while rookie Sean Butcher (KR Sport) celebrated the race win. Unfortunately, the Brit
could not tie in with that performance in the second final. Although he was fast again and even saw
the chequered flag first, he was given a time penalty after making a jump start following a full course
yellow phase. Consequently, Juho Valtanen was back, inherited the race win and by that, he claimed
the overall victory. Butcher still ended up second on the podium, pushing his compatriot Lewis Gilbert (Potenza Racing Engines) to third place.
DD2: Xander Przybylak rules
Xander Przybylak (Bouvin Power) was the man of the weekend in the Rotax MAX DD2 category. After setting the benchmark in qualifying, he was in best shape throughout the heats as well, putting
himself on pole position for the initial final Sunday. Here his opponents tried their best to stop him
making it a walkover, but eventually without success. Przybylak won both finals, collected maximum
points and asserted himself at the top of the days classification. Behind the new RMC Winter Cup
champion, Frenchman Nicolas Picot (Daems Racing) and MAX DD2 newcomer Silas Rytter (RS
Competition) took second and third place on the podium.
DD2 Masters: Muranski dominates, but Champion wins
The MAX DD2 Masters were under the control of Slawomir Muranksi (46Team) from the very beginning. The Pole was quickest in qualifying and defended the lead after the heats. So it was no surprise that Muranski was unbeatable in the first final too. But then, in the decisive second final, he suffered a setback. After 15 laps he crossed finish line in second position behind Frenchman Rudy
Champion (PKS Competition), narrowly losing the overall victory. Muranskis French opponent had
very good reason to cheer and celebrated the win. Behind the two front runners, Germanys Andreas
Schindler (RS Competition) stepped onto the third place of the podium.
Meik Wagner, organizer of the RMC Euro Trophy Winter Cup drew a positive conclusion: The return
of the popular RMC Winter event really made an impact. Never before has a European Winter Cup for
Rotax drivers been as well-attended. We have lifted Rotax racing again by including the Micro MAX
category for the first time within our framework. That enriched the entire programme and made the
event an even bigger success. It was a thrilling taste to the upcoming 2020 season of the Rotax MAX
Challenge Euro Trophy, which we are looking forward to, and promises to be no less exciting."
The RMC Euro Trophy kicks off at Genk (BEL) from 10th to 14th of April 2020, following stops at
Adria (ITA), PFI (GBR) and Wackersdorf (GER). Although there is still some time to go until the series
opener, the Rotax fields are already filling and after first predictions, one can expect to be fully booked
again. Besides the categories of Micro MAX, Junior MAX, Senior MAX, MAX DD2 and MAX DD2
Masters, the race organiser will introduce the Mini MAX class into the championship.