After a long winter and over 6 months of anticipation the FIA European Truck Racing Championship is back!
After a long winter and over 6 months of anticipation the FIA European Truck Racing Championship is back!
One of motorsport’s most fiercely fought championships is set to rage-on again over the coming months, across nine race circuits in eight countries. The cream of truck racing’s combatants will gather once again to race for the glory of being crowned FIA European Truck Racing Champion.
As the teams and drivers prepare to travel to the Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria this weekend, expectations are high for one of the most open and interesting seasons for many years.
The appointment of championship promotors – the ETRA GmbH– ushers in a new era for the FIA ETRC and fans can also look forward to seeing new developments in these spectacular monsters of the track and a shake-up in the driver and team line ups.
Reigning champion Norbert Kiss has made the move from the OXXO Racing Team across to Tankpool24 Racing. ‘Norbi’ is under no illusions that 2016 will very much be a development season, yet the fiercely competitive Hungarian double champion will be just as sharp when it comes to racecraft and determined to begin this new relationship on a high. Kiss will have young German prospect André Kursim as a team mate.
On paper the title protagonists this season have to include the crack Buggyra International Racing System squad from the Czech Republic. This highly professional team, led by the irrepressible Jan Kalivoda return with Adam Lacko and new recruit Jiří Forman in their striking ‘Fat Fox’ Freightliner trucks.
The triple FIA ETRC champion (2011,12 and 13), Jochen Hahn, will be eager to add a fourth title to his stellar career. The German is a tough competitor who will be a fearsome prospect throughout the season with his family team’s MAN.
René Reinert has been a mainstay of the FIA ETRC in recent seasons and the tough German will be confident after some strong showings last season, including two wins at the Le Mans finale in October. His team mate Steffi Halm may not be in Austria, but she is has moved up to being a season entry for 2016 and will be a real challenger for more race wins and a threat for the title.
Other German campaigners in action at Red Bull Ring include the Team SchwabenTruck IVECO driver Gerd Körber, joined for this round by local hero Markus Alternstrasser, as well as Sascha Lenz in a self-run MAN truck.
French fans have plenty to cheer in 2016 as Lion Truck Racing, with Anthony Janiec have committed to a full season, and Thomas Robineau competing in certain rounds of the championship.
Ellen Lohr returns for another full-season of racing with the Lutz-Bernau squad. As motivated and hungry as ever, Lohr has targeted the podium for 2016.
Popular British driver Ryan Smith is entered under his own name but will essentially be run by the OXXO Racing Team for at least four races in 2016 with a MAN truck.
Other familiar faces in the paddock include experienced truck racers Frankie Vojtíšek and Eduardo Rodrigues. ‘Fun’ Frankie is one of the most popular members of the FIA ETRC community with an infectious enthusiasm for the sport.
Erwin Kliennagelvoort comes back for a full campaign in 2016 with his Scania truck giving us an interesting five different constructors in the championship this season.
The FIA ETRC is much more than just a thrilling sporting event however. The off-track entertainment, industry relevance and friendly paddock all help make this series famous for attracting thousands of fans new and old. This season a new fan village will see even greater spectacles with something for everyone to marvel at.
For full details of the Red Bull Ring timetable click here
For the provisional entry list click here
Editors Notes
About the FIA European Truck Racing Championship
The FIA European Truck Racing Championship (FIA ETRC) is the premier truck racing series in the world with the best trucks and drivers competing over nine rounds for the title.
Racing on some of Europe’s most famous circuits, teams from France, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain and Portugal and many other nations compete for the truck racing’s most prestigious crown – the FIA European Truck Racing Championship.
For 2016 the FIA ETRC sees the beginning of a new dawn as a fresh promoter, ETRA Promotion GmbH, takes over the running of the championship in an effort to enhance the marketability of the series over the next five seasons.
Goodyear is the major technical partner of the FIA ETRC and has committed to the championship for the next three seasons
ETRC 2016 calendar dates:
|
30 April/1 May |
Austria |
Red Bull Ring |
|
28/29 May |
Italy |
Misano |
|
11/12 June |
France |
Nogaro |
|
2/3 July |
Germany |
Nürburgring |
|
27/28 August |
Hungary |
Hungaroring |
|
3/4 September |
Czech Republic |
Most |
|
17/18 September |
Belgium |
Zolder |
|
1/2 October |
Spain |
Jarama |
|
8/9 October |
France |
Le Mans |