What Rotax Max Grand Finals Preview
Where Portimao, Portugal
When 7-14 November 2026
Community International
Team South Africa set for Rotax Grand Finals
Southern Africa’s finest karters have set up camp in the Algarve as they enter final preparations for karting’s ultimate annual showdown at the 2026 Rotax Max Challenge ‘Olympics of Karting’ Grand Finals.
The formidable contingent of South African, Namibian, and Mozambican champions will take on the world over the next week to qualify for next Saturday’s Finals at the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve. In typical Rotax Max style, the Portimão Grand Finals level the playing field with every driver on identical, drawn chassis and sealed engines. So it comes down entirely to driver skill, setup wizardry, and sheer racing grit.
Charl Visser and Jamie Smith lead a sharp, balanced Team South Africa squad ready to tackle the best the world can muster in the heavy-hitting premier division gearbox DD2 class, with Justin Allison in DD2 Masters. Kian Spies and Keagan Beaumont are locked into the open-age top chain drive class Senior Max charge, with Brodi Dowling and Ronaldo Koen representing the high school ranks in Junior Max.
In the primary school classes, Luan de Wet and Luke du Toit spearhead the under-13 Mini Max attack alongside an E10 Mini electric class contingent featuring Michael O’Mahoney and Ruhan Victor. The youngest member of the team, Alonzo de Oliveira, will fly the flag in under-11 Micro Max.
Neighbouring nations add firepower in a three-pronged Team Namibia assault comprising cousins Nande and Mandume Kaiyamo in E10 Mini alongside Kian Fussel in DD2. And Gabriel Figueiró proudly represents Mozambique in the premier DD2 class.
Team SA set up camp in the Portimão paddock before the all-important kart and equipment raffle on Saturday and Sunday 1 November. Track action kicks off with practice Monday and Tuesday before qualifying and the heats Wednesday and Thursday. The pressure-cooker pre-finals follow on Friday to whittle the grids down to the top 33 in each class for the Saturday November Finals showdowns.
“We’ve enjoyed an epic year of Rotax Max Challenge racing to determine the best karters in Southern Africa,” Rotax South Africa’s Jennifer Verheul confirmed. “Now they’re ready to race in the Grand Finals in Portugal. Best of luck to each and every one of you. Let’s do this!”
So batten down the hatches, our boys are in Portugal ready to mix it up with the best karters on the planet. Watch this space for daily updates straight from the paddock.
Issued on behalf of Rotax Max Challenge
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