Josh's Rollercoaster RMCIT Le Mans Weekend: Pole Position Heartbreak to Podium Glory

• 

• 

This past weekend at Le Mans for the Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy (RMCIT) was, in a word, a rollercoaster. We arrived with a clear goal and high expectations, and despite some incredible highs and a devastating low, we left with our heads high and a well-earned piece of silverware.

The weekend began with a tricky qualification session, where Josh found himself P15 out of a highly competitive 36-kart field. It wasn't where we wanted to be, but the potential of the kart and Josh's speed was undeniable.

Josh immediately began his charge forward in the heats, treating us to a Masterclass in overtakes. He stormed from P15 to P3 in Heat 1 (a gain of 12 spots!), followed it up with an equally impressive run to P2 in Heat 2 (gaining 13 spots from P15), and secured a solid P5 in Heat 3 (gaining 10 spots). These stunning performances, combined with his qualifying result, meant Josh achieved a massive milestone for any driver at this level: securing overall Pole Position for the Superheat.

The feeling was electric; we were in the prime position for the big race. But motorsport, in all its excitement, can also be cruel. On the out-lap for the Superheat, the absolute worst happened: an oiled spark plug. Our race was over before it even started, a devastating blow to our points tally and our morale. This classification drop meant we would be starting the main Final further down the grid than we deserved.

However, if Le Mans teaches a driver anything, it's resilience. The team, especially KR-Sport, were monumental, working at a rapid pace to ensure the kart was perfect for the Final. Josh, showing incredible mental strength, put the Superheat heartbreak behind him.

Lining up for the Final in P7, Josh had it all to do. The start was chaotic, with a major crash occurring just ahead of him. Josh used all his race craft and quick reflexes to avoid the melee, emerging in P3. The leading two, Oman and Bearman, had already pulled a one-second gap. It was a race against time.

Showing superb pace, Josh relentlessly chased down Bearman, finally making a clean move for P2 on lap 4. With only the leader, Oman, left, Josh dug deep, matching his lap times turn for turn for the remaining ten laps.

After 14 laps of relentless focus, Josh crossed the line to take a well-deserved P2 in the RMCIT Final! While not the P1 we knew we were capable of, this podium felt incredibly special after the adversity we faced. The speed from P7 to P2 in the Final, after the grid drama, was immense.

What made the moment even more remarkable was that Oman took the win and Bearman secured P3, making it a spectacular UK Podium Lockout at Le Mans!

This week at Le Mans was far from straightforward, but we are incredibly proud of the resilience and determination Josh and the entire team showed.

A massive thank you to everyone at KR-Sport for their flawless work, to our sponsors and partners, including Webex, for their continued belief, and to all our supporters back home. Le Mans, you were a test, but we'll be back for more! 🏆