On February 28, 2026, the excitement of the MAX CHAMP Series returned once again to the Suzuka Circuit South Course. The entry list featured 25 drivers in Mini MAX, 44 in Junior MAX, and 47 in Senior MAX. With a total of 116 drivers representing seven nations across the three categories, the series has shown a remarkable 10% growth compared to last season’s breakout success.
Furthermore, the overall Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC) Suzuka Series drew a massive entry of 212 drivers, solidifying its position as one of the largest karting events in Japan. The race weekend followed a double-header format with one full race each on Saturday and Sunday. This competitive race format, combined with the highest entry numbers in the country, remains the hallmark of the series. Ambassador Ukyo Sasahara and Driving Coach Yuto Nomura were both present at the Suzuka Circuit South Course. Nomura took to the track in the Senior MAX category alongside the active drivers during Friday practice, demonstrating top-level speed and technique that served as a significant inspiration for the competitors.
In the Qualifying Practice (QP) featuring 25 entries, Yoon Isaac from South Korea claimed the top spot, followed by Chinese driver Casey Wang in second, resulting in an international front row. The times were incredibly close, with the top eight drivers all breaking the existing track record—a clear testament to the rising level of the category.
After the qualifying heats, where Yoon Isaac won Heat 1 and Kosuke Kano won Heat 2, the Korean and Japanese drivers lined up on the front row for the Final.
From the start, Yoon and Kano pulled away from the pack, turning the race into a two-way duel. The battle intensified in the final two laps, with the two karts side-by-side across the line to start the final lap. While Yoon took the checkered flag by a nose, a post-race penalty promoted Kano to the top step of the podium. Yoon was classified second, with Tomoya Onishi, who started fourth, taking third place.
Kosei Imamura, who finished 6th in the series standings last year, was the quickest in the 44-car Junior MAX field. He was followed by second-year Junior drivers Kazuki Kitanaka and Takeru Shinbashi. Mikoto Shibazaki, last year’s double champion at Motegi and Mizunami, had a slower start in 7th.
Imamura maintained his lead through the round-robin qualifying heats to secure pole for the Final, followed by China’s Liu Bowen and Shibazaki, who steadily worked his way up to 3rd. In the Final, Imamura took the holeshot, but Shibazaki made a move for the lead as early as the second lap. However, Imamura, showing superior pace, calmly reclaimed the lead and gradually pulled away. He executed a flawless race to take the win, with Shibazaki in second and Kaito Lloyd, who started from 12th, completing the podium in third.
In the 47-car Senior MAX category, professional driver Hibiki Taira, who arrived at the circuit on race day, took the overall top spot in QP. Defending champion Ryusei Sawada followed in second.
Taira dominated both qualifying heats with overwhelming pace to secure pole position, while Sawada remained consistent to join him on the front row. In the Final, Taira took the holeshot and never looked back, claiming a dominant lights-to-flag victory. Sawada momentarily dropped positions at the start but fought back early to finish second. Third place went to Senior rookie Shinma Kusumoto, who climbed from 7th on the grid to claim an impressive podium finish.
Following the intense action of Round 1, Round 2 saw fresh faces at the top of the 24-car Mini MAX field. Ren Matsuoka, stepping up from Micro MAX, took the 1st position in QP, followed by series debutant Manato Yokoi.
The more experienced second-year drivers asserted themselves in the qualifying heats. Round 1 winner Kosuke Kano took the top spot, followed by Tomoya Onishi and Yoon Isaac. In the Final, Kano, Yoon, and Onishi formed a leading trio that gapped the field. In the closing stages, the battle between Onishi and Kano behind leader Yoon resulted in Kano spinning off at the hairpin. Yoon maintained his lead to take the win and avenge his disappointment from the previous day. Onishi finished second, and Eito Hosokawa claimed third after winning a late-race battle.
Mikoto Shibazaki took the 1st position in the 44-car Junior MAX field for Round 2. He was followed by last year’s Suzuka Mini MAX champion Kaito Lloyd and Round 1 winner Kosei Imamura.
Shibazaki swept the qualifying heats to secure pole for the Final, with Lloyd joining him on the front row.
At the start of the Final, Shibazaki led from pole but remained under constant pressure from the chasing pack. The closing stages saw a dramatic shake-up in the lead group; Takeru Shinbashi, who started 4th, surged to the front, followed by Michinaga Fujiwara from 7th on the grid. Shinbashi held his nerve to claim his long-awaited first victory. Fujiwara took second, and Imamura navigated the late-race chaos to finish third.
Taiga Tezuka, in his second year of Senior MAX, took the top spot in the 46-car field for Round 2 QP, followed by last year’s Suzuka Junior MAX champion Taigen Sakano.
Tezuka drove perfectly through the qualifying heats to secure pole, with Round 1 runner-up Ryusei Sawada starting alongside him.
Although Tezuka led the start, Sawada quickly moved into the lead. However, Hitoshi Sakai, starting from 10th, showed incredible pace to slice through the field and take the lead. A mid-race battle ensued between Sakai and Sakano, which became complicated by a yellow caution period. Sakai crossed the line first, followed by Takuma Korai and Tezuka. However, a post-race penalty for Sakai resulted in Korai being promoted to the win, with Tezuka in second and Sakano in third.
Summary: The EXGEL MAX CHAMP has grown even further since its successful previous season. The fierce competitiveness of the series was evident as the podium line-up changed significantly between Round 1 and Round 2. With such high entry numbers and intense racing, the series is set to attract even more attention as the season progresses.
