The summer break is almost over and after seven weeks of recharging batteries and taking stock of the first half of the 2016 FIA European Truck Racing championship (FIA ETRC) season, the battling protagonists are back at the Hungaroring this weekend.
The summer break is almost over and after seven weeks of recharging batteries and taking stock of the first half of the 2016 FIA European Truck Racing championship (FIA ETRC) season, the battling protagonists are back at the Hungaroring this weekend.
This weekend’s round at the Hungaroring near Budapest is the start of an intense period of activity for the FIA ETRC paddock. The final five rounds will all take place within the next seven weeks and with twenty races remaining there is plenty more action to come in this exciting and popular championship.
Closest title fight for years
One single point! After 16 races with 240 points available the top two in the FIA ETRC – Adam Lacko and Jochen Hahn are separated by just one point.
The enthralling battle for the 2016 crown is set to be an all-time classic as the Czech and German drivers go head-to-head. The two have been almost inseparable all season trading pole positions and race wins over the first four rounds.
Last time out at Nürburgring saw things get very close indeed with the pair involved in the first corner tangle. But generally the racing has been hard, fair and clean between Lacko and Hahn and the respect between the two has shone through.
With the second leg of the eastern European double-header at Lacko's home track in the Czech Republic expect the Buggyra International Racing System driver to be keen to extend his championship lead before arriving on home soil.
He’s coming home! Norbi’s quest
It is his biggest weekend of the year and one where his name will be chanted and shouted from the rafters of the grandstands. National hero and double FIA European Truck Racing champion Norbert Kiss is back in town!
A year on from his brilliant double at his home fixture, Kiss is with a new team, in a new truck but still familiar ground, and he’s still, as you would expect, fiercely competitive.
“I am super motivated to fight for the victories,” said Kiss ahead of the weekend. “For sure it will be harder than last year but I will have even more motivation in 2016 because I know we are not the favourites. We will earn the results the hard way and in some respects this is even more satisfying. What I can promise the fans is a lot of spectacular action and 100% commitment from me and the Tankpool24 Racing Mercedes-Benz team.”
There may still be a lot of development work to do on the Mercedes Benz truck, but they have already exceeded pre-season expectations. A threat at each round so far, ‘Norbi’ has punched above his weight and scored big points in each round, including a memorable win at Nogaro.
Grid bolstered by guest entries
The FIA ETRC is all set for another full grid at the Hungaroring with the season entrants being joined by a duo of race-by-race British drivers, Ryan Smith and Shane Brereton who head east .
Smith has entertained the fans and shown himself to be a hard challenger in his two previous 2016 FIA ETRC outings at the Red Bull Ring and Nürburgring. This is a big weekend for Smith as he now races for the Championship winning Team OXXO Racing, which has its roots in Hungary and he made it clear that he is keen to impress the local fans.
“I believe that the team will do everything in their power to make the Hungarian FIA ETRC race extra special and I will also do the same. I will be giving the maximum performance as well.”
Brereton made an impressive FIA ETRC debut in Germany last month, improving as the weekend wore on. The assured display saw him claim points in the final race with a ninth placed finish.
Dominique Orsini also returns for another meeting after making his 2016 FIA ETRC debut at Misano in May.
Weekend of top-class entertainment
In addition to the four FIA ETRC races there are support races from the Blancpain Sprint Series and the Suzuki Cup as a superb support bill gets ready to ‘Rock the Ring.’
On Thursday evening the FIA ETRC protagonists will be heading downtown to Heroes Square to the meet the public.
Click here for full Hungaroring entry list
Click here for the Hungaroring Timetable
Click here for latest points standings
What happened last year?
Race 1: Norbert Kiss
Race 2: Steffi Halm
Race 3: Norbert Kiss
Race 4: Antonio Albacete
How to follow the Hungaroring weekend:
Simply click here to follow the Truck Tracker, Live streaming video, live timing and live text commentary from the Hungaroring races.
Live coverage of the event can be seen on Motors TV at the following times:
Saturday 27th August
Race 2 – 15.45 cet
Sunday 28th August
Race 4 – 17.00 cet