Summarize

Rotax Max Challenge South Africa blasts off on its 2025 adventure with the first Western Cape regional at Killarney, and a Gauteng Northern Regions warm-up meeting at Zwartkops this Saturday 8 February. 

The National season then kicks off at Killarney late in March, with the Rotax Max African Open at Zwartkops in June. All of which will not only declare the South African champions, but they will all qualify for the Rotax ‘Olympics of Karting’ Grand Finals in Bahrain in the first week of December 2025. With record applications in the lead up to the new season, Rotax Max South Africa is looking forward to its best season yet.

“We have seen ?record numbers of Rotax Max Challenge number applications so far for 2025 and backed up by brisk equipment sales, we anticipate a bumper season of karting this year,” Rotax Max South Africa boss Ed Murray explains. “??Killarney’s regional opener should be hectic this weekend with a large contingent of upcountry drivers headed for the Cape to prepare in what promises to be a mini national.

 “We also have a club meeting to welcome new competitors and for those staying home to get into the groove for the season ahead ??at Zwartkops on Saturday, from where the new season will be in full swing. Our National and African champions will as usual qualify for the Rotax Max Grand Finals in Bahrain in December, but there’s a long road ahead before we get there, so let’s race!”

Considering administrative developments, Murray was happy to confirm some important new changes. “??All Rotax kart engines as well as the specific classes are now FIA Homologated,” Ed elaborated. “This is an historic development as Rotax Max is the  only mono brand to ever achieve such status. As far as rules are concerned, besides one or two technical upgrades to improve parity, nothing else changes.”

With several drivers stepping up to new classes, the final lay of the Rotax Max land will only become apparent after the coming opening weekend’s races. Whomever races where however, expect another epic year of racing across Rotax Max’s seven classes from the baby Bambinos all the way to the dagga boys in DD2, the Masters and Vets.