Luhan de Wet will represent Team South Africa for a second consecutive year when the 2026 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals (RMCGF) gets underway at the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Portugal. The OMP/Motorsport Fanatix™ ambassador begins his Mini MAX programme on Monday, 9 November, with the week building towards the final on Saturday, 14 November.
Running from 7–14 November, the 26th edition of Rotax’s global showcase brings together more than 460 competitors across nine categories, representing over 60 nations. Luhan returns after making his Grand Finals debut in Micro MAX in Bahrain last year, this time taking on the 72-driver Mini MAX field.
He earned his place in Portugal with a memorable Mini MAX Africa Open victory at Zwartkops Kart Raceway in July. Starting ninth in the final after a difficult national round, Luhan worked his way through the field and into the fight for the lead. He lost first place on the final lap but reclaimed it at the last corner to secure the Africa Open title and the coveted Grand Finals invitation.
That performance was a highlight of his first Mini MAX season after stepping up as the 2025 South African Micro MAX Champion. Luhan also finished third in the 2026 national Mini MAX standings, adding a championship podium to his Africa Open success. His second consecutive Team SA selection gives him another opportunity to measure his progress against an international field.
Portimão presents a fresh challenge. The circuit is 1.6 kilometres with 10 turns, combining precise braking zones with fast transitions. Learning the circuit and making the most of the early practice sessions will be important before qualifying establishes the starting positions for the heats.
The Grand Finals supplies equipment to competitors, with karts allocated through a draw. Mini MAX will race Charles Leclerc Kart chassis supplied by Birelart, paired with Rotax engines and MOJO tyres. The format emphasises adapting quickly to the supplied equipment and performing against drivers using the same specification.
Reaching the final is the first major hurdle. Only 36 of the 72 Mini MAX competitors will qualify for Saturday’s deciding race. After timed qualifying, the field is divided into four groups, and each driver contests three qualifying heats. The heat classification then sets the grids for two pre-finals, with each driver racing in one.
Points from the heats and pre-final are combined to establish the final intermediate classification. The top 36 advance, and that classification also determines the final grid. For Luhan, every heat and the pre-final will therefore contribute to earning a place in the 14-lap final.
“It is a huge honour to race for South Africa again. There will be so many fast drivers from around the world, and I know how much work it takes to get here. I want to enjoy the experience and give my best every time I go out. In practice I want to learn the track and get comfortable in the kart. Then I need to put a good lap together in qualifying, stay out of trouble and finish the heats well. The pre-final will be really important because I have to earn my place in the final. If I get there, I want to make the most of it.”
“Thank you to OMP Racing, ATS Motorsport Supplies, Karting Africa and all my personal sponsors for helping me get to Portugal. Thank you to everyone who made financial contributions helping to lighten the financial burder. A huge thank you to my family for everything they do for me. I want to make everyone proud.”
Luhan’s schedule in South African time remains subject to change.:
Saturday, 7 November: Registration, racewear checks and driver presentation.
Sunday, 8 November: Team photographs, kart draw, briefings and track walk.
Monday, 9 November: Mini MAX practice sessions 1–3.
Tuesday, 10 November: Mini MAX practice sessions 4–5.
Wednesday, 11 November: Warm-up; qualifying at 14:42 / 15:00.
Thursday, 12 November: Heat 1 at 11:30 / 11:45; Heat 2 at 16:00 / 16:15. Six laps each.
Friday, 13 November: Heat 3 at 10:03 / 10:18; pre-finals at 15:34 / 15:51. Six-lap heat and 10-lap pre-final.
Saturday, 14 November: Warm-up at 10:36; 14-lap final at 13:47, subject to qualification.
Supporters can follow the action through Rotax’s free livestream from Wednesday, 11 November, to Saturday, 14 November, covering qualifying, the heats, pre-finals and finals.
Motorsport Fanatix™ — Showcasing SA Talent.
