2026 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals – Team USA – Preview

October 26, 2026 by David Cole

The 2026 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals is scheduled for November 7-14 at the Kartodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Portugal. Nearly 400 drivers from over 50 countries will compete in eight categories for the 26th edition of the world event which began in 2000.

Six of the eight categories include the standard Rotax Max Challenge divisions – Senior MAX, DD2, Junior MAX, DD2 Masters, Mini MAX, and Micro MAX – featuring 360 drivers from around the world. The E20 Senior and E20 Masters classes are returning for the 2026 RMC Grand Finals with the E10 Mini division making its official event debut after running as exhibition. A total of three manufacturers serve as the chassis partners with each division featuring a spec chassis: Birelart (DD2, Mini MAX), Praga (Senior MAX, Micro MAX, E10), and Sodi Kart (Junior MAX, DD2 Masters, E20 Senior, E20 Masters).

The Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals is making its sixth visit to the Kartodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Portugal. The event begins Sunday, November 8 when each country takes their team photo in front of nearly 400 karts before they are all raffled throughout the day. The day ends with a welcome party prior to the first on track sessions beginning on Monday, November 9. Each category takes on two rounds of practice with Micro and Mini along with the E karts receiving three. Action shifts on Tuesday with the final rounds of the five practice sessions for each division. Wednesday begins with the warm-up for all categories before going into the qualifying sessions. Thursday begins the heat races, with each category competing in two rounds of heat races. A third heat race is held on Friday for those categories with over 36 drivers (Mini, Junior, Senior, DD2). Then all categories hold their Prefinal races to decide the grids for the main events on Sunday.

A total of eight drivers will represent Team USA in Portugal for the 2026 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in six of the categories competing. In the previous five times in Portugal, Team USA has only two podium results at Portimão. Luke Selliken was runner-up in Senior back in 2015 with Mathias Ramirez-Barrero also placing runner-up in Junior MAX. USA won the Nations Cup that same season.

Due to the scheduling conflict, EKN may not be able to publish daily reports from the RMCGF each day along with a breakdown of the results for each of the drivers on Team USA. EKN will be trackside at the SuperNationals, and should time permit, will have updates each day or post race.

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

Event Information

Time Schedule

Live Timing

Live Broadcast via YouTube

DD2 – Birelart (72 Drivers)

#466 – Macy Williams

Hometown: Gilbert, Arizona
Qualified: 7th – RMC Trophy Final (Senior MAX)
RMC Grand Finals Appearances: 2 – 2021 (Senior MAX), 2025 (DD2)

“It’s going to be a pleasure to represent the USA in Portugal! I have been hard at work with testing and making sure I will be coming out swinging in Portimão.”

Team Canada:

#406 – Griffin Dowler
#408 – Gianluca Savaglio
#427 – Alexis Baillargeon
#448 – William Bouthillier
#453 – Alex Marcil Perron

Senior MAX – Formula K (72 Drivers)

#306 – Isaac Malcuit

Hometown: Strasburg, Ohio
Qualified: 1st – RMC Trophy Final (Senior MAX)
RMC Grand Finals Appearances: 0

“I went and tested the Formula K and tested the Mojo tire as well with my dad and Mike Doty couple weeks ago. I felt pretty good, got comfortable and played with the setup a bit and have a good idea for going into the RMC Grand Finals and just overall felt really good. I hope for the best of luck.”

Team Canada:

#303 – Arnaud Sabourin
#331 – Ayden Ingratta
#345 – Ryan Maxwell
#347 – Noah Landry

DD2 Masters – Sodikart (36 Drivers)

#510 – Billy Cleavelin

Hometown: Shell Beach, California
Qualified: 1st – RMC Trophy Final (Masters MAX)
RMC Grand Finals Appearances: 3 – 2016, 2017, 2023 (DD2 Masters)

“I’m excited about returning to Portugal and competing in DD2 Masters. After New Castle the goal has been to get as many laps in as possible in the DD2. I’ve accomplished about 700 laps and feel very good in it. The goal is to qualify in the top 15 and from there finish as best as I can. Racing against the top DD2 Master drivers will be challenging for sure and the one thing I’ve learned in all these years of kart racing is being fast is one thing, racecraft is another. This is my 4th Grand Final and I hope it’s the best.”

Team Canada:

#508 – Noel Dowler
#509 – Zephyrin Dupain

Junior MAX – Sodikart (72 Drivers)

#203 – Nicolas Orbezo

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Qualified: RMC America’s Trophy – Champion
RMC Grand Finals Appearances: 0

“I can’t wait to represent my country in Portimão and race against some of the best drivers in the world. We will do our best to adapt to the Sodikart chassis and the Mojo tires quickly. I think we have a strong team representing USA and I have a great relation with Darren Kidd, so together in the Junior class I’m sure we can find the right setup to be competitive, even for a win.”

#214 – Darren Kidd

Hometown: Highland Lakes, New Jersey
Qualified: 2nd – RMC Trophy Final (Junior MAX)
RMC Grand Finals Appearances: 0

“To be able to represent my country and race with some of the best in the world at the Rotax Grand Finals is the biggest honor I can possibly have. This has been a goal I’ve been working towards. I can wait for this race and want to have as much fun as possible while also trying to win for Team USA. My expectation for Portugal is to try my best to win or at least get top 10. Overall, I just really want to make my country proud.”

Team Canada:

#205 – Olivier Chasse
#206 – Leo Da Silva
#212 – Antoine Bazinet
#233 – Marco Fazari

Mini MAX – Charles Leclerc (72 Drivers)

#108 – Slate Harrell

Hometown: Unionville, North Carolina
Qualified: 2nd – RMC Trophy Final (Mini MAX)
RMC Grand Finals Appearances: 0

“It’s an amazing opportunity and I’m so excited to be a part of it. My expectations are to make it to the main event and represent America proudly and show the world American drivers deserve to be there.”

#109 – Hudson Howard

Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
Qualified: 2nd – RMC America’s Trophy (Mini MAX)
RMC Grand Finals Appearances: 0

“Representing the USA is an honor. The mindset is, I am going to Portugal to win, however I understand some of the challenges. First task is getting familiar with the tire, the Mojo is very different to the Evinco. I am looking forward to the experience of a lifetime and giving it my all, I hope I make everyone proud.”

Team Canada:

#117 – Francesco Cosco
#140 – Yousef Adi
#141 – Lincoln Lima