Summarize

Severe Algarve weather has forced a major schedule shake-up for Team Southern Africa at the 2026 Rotax Max Challenge ‘Olympics of Karting’ Grand Finals in Portimão, Portugal. With forecasts warning of 140 km/h winds and authorities restricting outdoor activities, organisers cut Tuesday afternoon practice short and cancelled all Wednesday action at the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve. 

Friday’s pre-finals fall away, with qualifying and opening heats now set for Thursday 12 November, remaining heats on Friday, and the Finals on Saturday 14 November. “The safety and well-being of our drivers, teams, officials, partners and all participants remain our highest priority,” Rotax confirmed. “Safety comes first, and we look forward to continuing the racing action as soon as conditions allow.”

Southern Africa’s karters still impressed across Tuesday’s tricky wet and drying sessions before the shutdown. Namibian Nande Kaiyamo went sixth fastest and South African Ruhan Victor ninth in wet E10 Mini electric practice, while Charl Visser clocked eighth in his drying premier DD2 group, just a tenth off the pace. Brodi Dowling added 11th in drying Junior Max practice, with Luke du Toit 14th in Mini Max’s sole wet outing.

“The weather has thrown Portimão a curveball, but everyone is in the same boat,” Rotax South Africa’s Jennifer Verheul concludes. “Our drivers showed encouraging pace on Tuesday, and with the pre-finals dropped, every lap counts from Thursday morning. Team SA is ready!”

Follow live timing and streaming at grandfinals.rotax-racing.com or on the Rotax Global App, and catch daily Team SA updates at www.kart.co.za