Driver quotes from Saturday in Zolder

17 September 2016

The race one and two podium finishers tells us about their drives

RACE 1

1st – Jochen Hahn

“At the last couple of races there have been some discussions about fair play, but I think from the start of this race everyone can see what is fair in truck racing.

“Adam (Lacko) gave me a lot of space in the first corners, which then made it possible to overtake cleanly.

“In the last couple of laps he was going faster and faster, so I could see him in my mirrors getting closer and closer. Then he made a little mistake and kicked the back of me, which actually sent me straight across the chicane, through the gravel trap and then that gave me a bit of a gap, so I said ‘thank you very much’.

“To be honest, without this I think we would have really struggled to stay ahead of him in these last two laps and so we need to find some more performance, but I am very happy to win here.”

2nd – Adam Lacko

“Jochen (Hahn) made a good start and actually here it is an advantage to start from second on the grid.

“During the race Jochen (Hahn) had good pace, but I think I was actually a little bit faster and I try to find a way by and we had a little bit of a kiss and then a bit later it was a bit of a stronger contact, but Jochen took the win and it was a good race.”

3rd – Steffi Halm

“Yes, it was rather a quiet race for me. I wasn’t able to follow the first two as they were faster than me. Then I had a big gap behind me, so I just drove my race and it was rather quiet, maybe like a holiday drive!

“But the start was good, Janiec went wide which meant I could overtake him and then I was stuck for a while behind Rene (Reinert), who was going very slowly, but I didn’t know what the problem was. I waited for a couple of corners, but knew it must have been technical so I went by and was able to finish on the podium, which is very good.”

RACE 2

1st – Adam Lacko

“With the reverse grid I started back in 7th, but was then able to make some good passes over the opening laps to move up to 2nd place. I then had to close a big gap to Sascha (Lenz) but I was able to do this and then take the lead.

“It is a good result for me and for the team.”

2nd – Sascha Lenz

“I am really happy to make my second ever (FIA ETRC) podium after already being third in Most.

“the whole team is here (at the podium in the Fan Village) to celebrate and it is a very good result.

“I was able to pass the Buggyra (of Jiri Forman) at the start and then knew I had to build a gap. But then Lacko was so quick and I could see him getting closer. But I am really happy to have managed to finish second here.”

3rd – Jochen Hahn

‘So I started back in 8th position, next to Adam (Lacko), but he had a bit more luck with the overtaking. It was a big fight to make my way through, but it is the second time on the podium today and I am happy with this.”