Kart racer Nicky Gauci at the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy

Nicky Gauci, an established Maltese kart racing driver, was at the Le Mans International Karting Raceway in France between July 26 and 30 to take part in the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy 2022.

The international event hosted 265 competitors from 64 different countries. Gauci competed in the Senior Max category with 88 other drivers and was part of the MKC Motorsport team.

Drivers were aiming to secure a ticket to the grand finals in Portimao, Portugal, as it was the grand prize.

The event consisted of an official qualifying session where pole position and starting grid are established and then moves on to four qualifying heats of 10 laps each, during which points are accumulated.

The best 36 drivers then qualify for the final and compete in a 16-lap race.

On his MKC kart number 492, Gauci qualified sixth in the qualifying sessions and gave a great grid position.

The legendary karting commentator Henry Beaudette congratulated Gauci by referring to him as the ‘Maltese Falcon’, a nickname he had already assigned to him when Gauci participated in the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals last year in Bahrain last December.

Gauci crossed all finish lines between positions seven to 13 during the four heat races; however, following two bumper penalties, his position dropped to 19th.

Gauci still qualified for the final with the top 36 drivers with his performance and points.

Gauci started in 24th position, advanced seven places and finished the day in position 17.

In a Facebook post, Nicky Gauci commented, “this was surely one of the toughest events the I have ever competed in, and it is amongst the highest levels of karting in the world. It is in these types of events that legends are born”.