The track was still soaked for the OK Final where Joe Turney (KR/IAME) started on pole next to Ethan Jeff-Hall (CRG/IAME) with Fionn McLaughlin (KR/IAME) and Matthew Higgins (Energy/IAME) behind. 

Higgins took 2nd but was then replaced by Jeff-Hall. Towards the middle of the race the CRG driver was 0.4s quicker but Turney found more speed to maintain his advantage – until the last lap where Jeff-Hall found his way past when Turney went wide on the banked section. Jeff-Hall was then far enough ahead to sensationally secure the World Championship in one of his first OK races after winning the ROTAX MAX Challenge International Trophy in August. 

Ethan Jeff-Hall has secured overall title glory in the 2024 Ginetta Junior Championship after a pulsating racing finale took place at Brands Hatch (28/29 September).

Jeff-Hall, Chase Fernandez and Charlie Hart had headed into the final weekend in contention for the overall drivers’ title, with Jeff-Hall emerging victorious to add to his rookie title success and G-Fest success, while Hart, Isaac Phelps and Henry Joslyn scored the final race wins of the campaign.

The three Super Heats were won by Matthews Higgins (GBR), Lewis Gilbert (GBR) and Nolan Lemeray (FRA). Ethan Jeff-Hall (GBR) remained in the lead ahead of the Final, ahead of Gilbert. Jeff-Hall got off to the best start, ahead of Lemeray, who was soon replaced by Higgins. Gilbert moved up to 2nd place after six laps and then tried to close the gap on the leader. Jeff-Hall managed the situation perfectly, conceding only the minimum to secure his victory with a 1.5" lead at the chequered flag. Starting 5th, Jayden Thien (NLD) had to fight hard to move up to 3rd place in the final third of the race, and then to hold on to it against his team-mate Higgins.

Jeff-Hall defending his 2023 RMCIT Senior MAX title!

Results of the Senior Max Final:

1- Ethan Jeff-Hall (GBR - Exprit/ROTAX/Mojo) 

2- Lewis Gilbert (GBR - Tony Kart/ROTAX/Mojo)

3- Jayden Thien (NLD - LN/ROTAX/Mojo)

Ethan showcased exceptional skill and determination in the fiercely competitive Junior MAX category. Representing Strawberry Racing, Ethan consistently delivered high-caliber performances throughout the season, battling against some of the UK's top karting talents. His precise racecraft, tactical acumen, and ability to adapt to varying track conditions earned him a string of podium finishes, underscoring his reputation as one of the brightest young stars in British karting.

Despite facing formidable opposition, Ethan's resilience and unwavering focus propelled him to the runner-up position in the championship standings. This remarkable achievement not only solidified his status as a top-tier kart racer but also served as a testament to his hard work and dedication finishing the season as the 2023 Junior MAX Vice-Champion.

The list of 107 entries was split into three groups for timed practice, where the initial 85 drivers were within one second of pole position. One of Britain’s junior stars, Ethan Jeff-Hall, set the pace on Thursday and was the only driver to break the 53-second mark with 52.983 in Group 1. 

Senior MAX raced a total of 15 Heats with another former ROTAX European champion Kai Rillaerts (BEL) triumphant in four of his five races, ranking one point ahead of triple RMCGF title-holder Mark Kimber (GBR) with three victories. Ranking P3 was Jeff-Hall with one first place. On Saturday, the Super Heats were dominated by Rillaerts (A), Kimber (B) and Hunter (C) which left the top 6 in the intermediate standings unchanged for the start grid after lunch. 

The Final brought out the elbows as Rillaerts led the trio from Strawberry Racing and a long line chasing. Kimber, appearing frustrated, took control on lap 5, but was soon passed back by his new teammate. As the field shuffled for positions Jeff-Hall tucked in behind leader, saving his decisive move for the last lap – aided by the slipstream to become the Senior MAX RMCIT Champion!

It was another win in RMCGF folklore, as Great Britain’s Scott Marsh (#205) would be in the right place at the right time, as the competition tried to take the fight to him, but he did not buckle under pressure to cross the line first after 18 laps to take an emotional win. It was a British 1-2, as Ethan Jeff-Hall would secure second 0.895 behind his countryman.

Kasper Schormans (#221 – NED) would round out the podium a further 1.157 seconds behind Jeff-Hall, having navigated his way through the battling that transpired between several drivers that would fight to go for the win. Maxence Bouvier (#229 – FRA) would be the best of the rest, taking fourth place ahead of Great Britain’s Vinnie Phillips (#239).

Junior MAX: Ethan Jeff-Hall receives championship trophy!

Eventful races on mostly wet asphalt resulted in four new winners of the day. With Ethan Jeff-Hall (Junior MAX), Sean Butcher (Senior MAX), Mark Kimber (DD2) and Denis Thum (DD2 Masters), the new champions of the international ROTAX racing series were also crowned at Prokart Raceland. 

The racing action in Junior MAX has been firmly in the hands of Ethan Jeff-Hall (Strawberry Racing) this season so far. The British driver was already crowned champion prematurely in Mariembourg which left no doubt in the fight for overall victory, and he therefore did not compete in the season finale.

Junior MAX: Ethan Jeff-Hall wins the British Open Championship!

The ROTAX British Open 'O' Plate Championship is a prestigious karting competition in the United Kingdom, organized under the Motorsport UK framework. It is part of the broader ROTAX karting series, which features a range of classes based on age and experience, such as Mini Max, Junior Max, and Senior Max.

 'O' Plate Status: The 'O' Plate is a unique designation in British karting. Unlike regular championships that determine annual rankings, the 'O' Plate is a one-off event where the winner in each category earns the right to race with the coveted 'O' plate on their kart for the following year, signifying their status as the British Open Champion.

High-Level Competition: The event attracts the best kart drivers from across the UK, making it a high-stakes, highly competitive race. Winning the 'O' Plate is considered a significant achievement in a driver's career.

Ethan Jeff-Hall solidified his place among the brightest young talents in British motorsport by clinching the 2021 Mini Max British Kart Championship under Motorsport UK. Competing with unwavering determination and skill, Ethan demonstrated exceptional racecraft throughout the season, consistently outperforming his rivals in a highly competitive field. His success was a product of relentless dedication, precision, and natural talent, marking him as one of the standout performers in the UK karting scene that year.

The Mini Max category, renowned for its demanding nature and close racing, served as the perfect stage for Ethan to showcase his potential. Driving under the banner of Strawberry Racing, Ethan's championship victory was the culmination of years of hard work and a testament to his focus and maturity behind the wheel. This triumph not only earned him national acclaim but also laid the foundation for a promising career in motorsport, with his eyes firmly set on climbing the racing ladder towards the highest echelons of the sport.