REM Shows Speed and Strength at Rotax Winter Trophy Despite Brutal Conditions

The first round of the Rotax Winter Trophy delivered exactly what its name promises — winter racing at its most unforgiving. Frigid temperatures, difficult track conditions, and relentless weather made for one tough start to the 2026 season. While Sunday’s racing was ultimately cancelled due to unsafe conditions, the REM program showed exceptional pace, preparation, and resilience throughout Saturday.

From the first sessions on track, it was clear that REM drivers were ready to fight — not just against competitors, but against the elements themselves.

Pole Positions Across the Board

Despite the cold, wet, and constantly changing grip levels, REM drivers delivered standout performances in qualifying and pre-final sessions across multiple categories:

Ayden Ingratta — Pole Position in Rotax Senior
Leo Da Silva — Pole Position in Rotax Junior
Chris Mann — Pole Position in Rotax Masters

Securing pole in always changing conditions is no small feat. With limited grip, and low track temperatures, finding speed requires not only raw talent but also smart setup work, precise driving, and strong communication between driver and team. These results speak volumes about the effort put in by both our drivers and crew.

Leo Da Silva Delivers First International Victory in Dominant Fashion

One of the defining moments of the weekend came from Leo Da Silva, who secured his first international victory with a truly commanding performance in Rotax Junior.

Leo not only took pole position — he went on to control from start to finish, crossing the line over 32 seconds ahead of the field in the final. In winter conditions where consistency and mistake-free driving are critical, Leo delivered a flawless drive that showcased both his speed and maturity behind the wheel.

Winning by such a margin in these conditions is a rare achievement and a massive milestone in Leo’s racing career.

Senior Class Brings the Fight

The Rotax Senior category delivered some of the toughest and most competitive racing of the weekend, with William Bouthillier, Ayden Ingratta, and Rayan Ghandour all throwing themselves into hard-fought battles at the front of the field.

While the final results may not fully reflect the level of performance shown, each driver put on a show, pushing through difficult conditions, tight racing, and nonstop pressure. The trio showed determination, racecraft, and the kind of grit that defines championship-caliber drivers.

Gianluca Savaglio Fights to the Front

Gianluca Savaglio delivered one of the most impressive drives of the weekend, showing both raw speed and race-winning execution in DD2.

After qualifying P3, Gianluca went on to win his pre-final, putting himself in a prime position for the final. He followed that up with a victory on track in the final, demonstrating excellent racecraft and composure in extremely difficult conditions.

Unfortunately, a post-race time penalty would drop Gianluca to P2 in the final classification. While the result on paper doesn’t fully reflect his performance, the reality is clear — Gianluca drove a race-winning weekend and proved he belongs at the front.

Sunday Cancellation — Safety First

Unfortunately, Sunday’s racing was cancelled due to unsafe track conditions caused by the extreme weather. While disappointing for everyone who made the trip and put in the work, safety remains the top priority for drivers, teams, and officials.

Although we didn’t get the opportunity to race on Sunday, the performance shown throughout the weekend made one thing clear: REM is ready to contend this season.

Looking Ahead

This weekend was a powerful statement from the REM program. Pole positions in Senior, Junior, and Masters, a dominant international victory in Junior, and relentless fight in Senior all highlight the strength of our drivers, the dedication of our crew, and the depth of our preparation.

We leave the first round of the Rotax Winter Trophy proud of our performance and hungry for more. The speed is there. The mindset is there. And as the season continues, REM will be ready to turn strong weekends into race-winning results.

Thank you to our drivers, families, supporters, and partners who braved the cold and stood with us throughout the weekend. We’re just getting started.

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