Ryan Smith and the OXXO Hungary Truck Racing Team have committed to a full season of the FIA ETRC...
Ryan Smith and the OXXO Hungary Truck Racing Team have committed to a full season of FIA European Truck Racing Championship action in 2018.
The British racer will campaign his first ever full-season after starring in several races since 2016 when he made his FIA ETRC debut.
Smith, a two-time British Truck Racing champion, will race the OXXO Hungary Truck Racing Team run MAN truck throughout 2018 where he aims to add to his two victories which were both gained at Automdrom Most in 2016 and 2017.
With support from PT Truck Hire and MAN UK, Smith will spearhead the programme with OXXO Hungary Truck Racing Team which is now under the leadership of former Communications Manager, Brúnó Sárosi.
The team will take part in a two-day test at Most next month in preparation for the season opener at Misano in May.
“We are really excited for the year ahead and are delighted to confirm we will do a full campaign in the FIA ETRC which is rightly considered the pinnacle of truck racing in every department,” said Smith.
“The OXXO Hungary Truck Racing Team MAN has been completely rebuilt right up from the chassis rails, so we are prepared and ready to really go for it this season. We have a few modifications that we will test in Most so we are pushing hard development wise.
“The natural progression for us, coming from a double title success in the British championship, is to come to the FIA ETRC full time. It is the elite arena and we need to be there.”
Smith believes that he and the ambitious team will be able to fight for more victories during the 2018 season.
“Our expectations are that in our first full season together we can aim big. We intend to do that and really announce ourselves as a force in the championship.”
The Anglo/Hungarian alliance is targeting a challenge right at the front of the field but Smith is under no illusions about the strength in depth of the opposition this season.
“On raw pace we are looking strong,” said Smith. “The top six in the FIA ETRC are really quick, we know that.
“On an average we have always been qualifying around P4 or P5, so we are hopeful we can shake things up a bit and regularly get among the front bunch.
“Our mind-set is that we want to hit the ground running at Misano and really go for it. The milestones that we are hitting now are confidence inspiring. We all just can’t wait for Misano to come around,” explained Smith.
With Antonio Albacete already confirmed with Trucksport Lutz Bernau in addition to the potent trio of reigning champion Adam Lacko, multiple champion Jochen Hahn and Smith’s nemesis from the Hungaroring weekend last season Norbert Kiss, there is all to play for in what is being billed as the most competitive FIA ETRC season for years.