(Photo: BRP-Rotax)

A total of 392 drivers took to the Circuito Internazionale di Napoli facility for the first day of action at the 2024 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. Following the kart raffle and welcome party on Sunday, it was all business on Monday in Sarno, Italy as the eight different divisions hit the track for three rounds of practice. DD2 final sessions on the day were postponed due to daylight issues, which will be moved to Tuesday.

The highlight of the 14-driver Team USA squad was Gage Korn topping the charts in his group of Junior practice in the third round. Senior drivers Wesley Gundler, Oliver Hodgson and Dalton Hanes had at least one session in the top 10, as did Mini MAX drivers Jaxon Porter and Enzo DiGennaro. DD2 Masters John Bonanno ended the day in the top 10 while Micro MAX driver Cam Becker was in the top eight all day.

Below is a breakdown of each driver’s results and some comments on the day’s action.

Event Report – Monday

Event Information

Time Schedule

Live Timing

Be sure to follow CanadianKartingNews.com to follow the action of Team Canada.

DD2 – Birel ART (72 Drivers)

#404 – Cooper O’Clair

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Qualified: US Trophy West Champion
RMCGF Appearances: 3 – 2021, 2022 (Junior Max), 2023 (Senior Max)

Practice 1 (even): 25th – 1:01.660 +1.044
Practice 2 (even): 36th – 1:14.451 +14.194

“Getting here was rough due to delays and cancellations. I had an issue with the gear box on the second session and the third session was canceled due to how poorly the scales were run today and how many red flags happened on track. Pretty track – nice and smooth but still technical. Some good hairpins to make the most of those front brakes.”

DD2 Masters – Charles Leclerc (36 Drivers)

#503 – John Bonanno

Hometown: West Deptford, New Jersey
Qualified: US Trophy East (Masters MAX Champion)
RMCGF Appearances: 2 – 2018, 2021

Practice 1: 11th – 1:01.877 +0.993
Practice 2: 23rd – 1:01.435 +0.760
Practice 3: 10th – 1:01.099 +0.583

#528 – Laurentiu Mardan

Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois
Qualified: US Trophy Final Winner
RMCGF Appearances: 0

Practice 1: 28th – 1:02.671 +1.787
Practice 2: 15th – 1:01.309 +0.634
Practice 3: 30th – 1:01.801 +1.285

“Travel was fine as we spent two days in Rome. The track is nice and very flowy. I like it. I had one bad session with lots of traffic but feeling good and confident for tomorrow.”

E20 Senior – Sodi Kart (18 Drivers)

#615 – Patrick Ronveaux-Tordion

Hometown: N/A
RMCGF Appearances: 0

Practice 1: N/A
Practice 2: 18th – 1:05.310 +1.995
Practice 3: 18th – No time

Junior MAX – Praga (72 Drivers)

#213 – Davin Roberts

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina
Qualified: US Trophy Final Winner
RMCGF Appearances: 0

Practice 1 (odd): 15th – 1:04.758 +0.898
Practice 2 (odd): 10th – 1:03.407 +0.569
Practice 3 (odd): 10th – 1:02.557 +0.470

“The flight to Italy was fun and it was my first flight out of the country. My first day on track had its ups and downs. I started off the first session, ok, breaking in the engine and getting acclimated to the kart. In the second session, I went purple for several laps, but on the 3rd or 4th lap, I had a mechanical problem, causing me to DNF that session. I was still 10th fastest in my group. The third session I started off strong, running in the top five quickest, but had no draft because there were no more people to pass, causing me to fall to 10th in my group and 16th overall. The track is fast and flowing. The views of mountains seen from the track and viewing decks are amazing. I love the United States tracks but I’ve haven’t received the opportunity to race at a venue such as Circuito Internazionale Napoli and I will always remember this week for the rest of my life.”

#216 – Gage Korn

Hometown: Aurora, Colorado
Qualified: US Trophy West Champion
RMCGF Appearances: 3 – 2021, 2022, 2023 (Mini)

Practice 1 (even): 34th – 1:08.446 +5.246
Practice 2 (even): 9th – 1:02.749 +0.555
Practice 3 (even): 1st – 1:02.188 +0.010

Micro MAX – Formula K (36 Drivers)

#3 – Cameron Becker

Hometown: Englewood, Colorado
Qualified: US Trophy Final Winner
RMCGF Appearances: 0

Practice 1: 6th – 1:13.170 +0.425
Practice 2: 8th – 1:10.836 +0.643
Practice 3: 5th – 1:10.490 +0.953

“We had a blast vacationing in Positano with my family. We took a boat trip with other USA families on the Amalfi coast. I love this track, and we are trying to get faster each session. This is the most insanely cool event I’ve ever been to!”

#6 – Yutaka Sonoda

Hometown: Tri Cities, Washington
Qualified: Canada Final Winner
RMCGF Appearances: 0

Practice 1: 24th – 1:14.019 +1.274
Practice 2: 22nd – 1:11.550 +1.357
Practice 3: 22nd – 1:11.559 +2.022

Mini MAX – Birel ART (72 Drivers)

#104 – William Vetor

Hometown: Zionsville, Indiana
Qualified: US Trophy Final Runner-Up
RMCGF Appearances: 0

Practice 1 (even): 32nd – 1:09.896 +2.160
Practice 2 (even): 29th – 1:08.104 +1.391
Practice 3 (even): 34th – 1:08.388 +2.015

“Travel was great. I’ve actually been here on vacation with my family for ten days prior to RMCGF. I’ve been excited to get on track and actually did one day of testing at South Garda last week to prep. Day One was a learning experience. First time seeing the track and really enjoyed it. I’m having a blast with my teammates Jaxon and Enzo. We are hoping to put the things we learned today together to move forward tomorrow.”

#107 – Enzo DiGennaro

Hometown: Poughkeepsie, NY
Qualified: US Trophy East Champion
RMCGF Appearances: 0

Practice 1 (odd): 17th – 1:09.165 +0.845
Practice 2 (odd): 8th – 1:07.228 +0.295
Practice 3 (odd): 4th – 1:06.695 +0.176

“It has been really great so far! Seeing how it’s so different from home but meeting new people and making friends all around the paddock. Track time has been great as well. Settling into the new kart but found good speed in the opening sessions. Still working with my Dad and Team USA to find more and look forward to qualifying tomorrow afternoon.”

#108 – Jaxon Porter

Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona
Qualified: US Trophy West Champion
RMCGF Appearances: 0

Practice 1 (even): 28th – 1:09.544 +1.808
Practice 2 (even): 8th – 1:07.323 +0.610
Practice 3 (even): 17th – 1:07.353 +0.980

Senior MAX – Sodi Kart (72 Drivers)

#305 – Wesley Gundler

Hometown: Holly Springs, North Carolina
Qualified: US Trophy East Champion
RMCGF Appearances: 0

Practice 1 (odd): 23rd – 1:03.124 +1.369
Practice 2 (odd): 33rd – 1:03.409 +2.402
Practice 3 (odd): 6th – 1:02.587 +1.161

#307 – Oliver Hodgson

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Qualified: Canada Open
RMCGF Appearances: 3 – 2012, 2013, 2023
Wins: Senior MAX (2013) (UK)

Practice 1 (odd): 7th – 1:02.354 +0.599
Practice 2 (odd): 4th – 1:01.449 +0.442
Practice 3 (odd): 25th – 1:23.406 +21.980

#313 – Dalton Hanes

Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina
Qualified: US Trophy Final Runner-Up
RMCGF Appearances: 0

Practice 1 (odd): 36th – 1:09.129 +7.374
Practice 2 (odd): 32nd – 1:03.259 +2.252
Practice 3 (odd): 10th – 1:03.437 +2.011

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