The GRAMMER TRUCK CUP saw three different winners from four races at Nürburgring last weekend...
While Thomas Robineau toasted a memorable double GRAMMER TRUCK CUP success at Nürburgring last weekend, Fabio Citignola was equally delighted with a breakthrough category win.
It was a weekend of terrific action all the way through a bumper 25 truck field at the world’s biggest and best truck racing event as action thrilled one of the largest crowds seen in years.
Robineau claimed the race one and three silverware after taking his familiar red MAN to two excellent wins to ensure the French driver took his first victories in the FIA ETRC since Misano in 2018.
The first race was a lights-to-flag affair for Robineau while his second success in the third race of the weekend came after mounting pressure from the pack.
"It's because of the GRAMMER CUP that I've decided to compete at the European stage," said Robineau. "That was the motivation. I'd love to do a full season but it's not so easy to manage on the budget side. See you in Zolder."
Saturday’s second race saw perhaps one of the drives of the weekend as Jamie Anderson swept to an impressive win, his seventh GRAMMER TRUCK CUP success of the season to date.
The British ace battled hard with teenage sensation Teo Calvet who harried Anderson for the early phase of the race. Anderson though pulled clear and was able to savour the champagne from the top step of the podium and inch closer to title rivals Oly Janes and Luis Recuenco.
Fabio Citignola won the final of the weekend taking his Tankpool24 Racing Mercedes-Benz to a richly merited win.
The victory was an adequate payback for what had been a difficult weekend for the German youngster who only made his truck racing debut two months ago.
"It feels pretty amazing, I have no words," said Citignola. "I had a hard fight with Jamie Anderson and I'm really happy to be on top of the podium here at my home track. It's unbelievable - my friends and my family are, no words... I felt Jamie's experience when he tried to overtake me but I managed to hold on to my place till the end."
Citignola headed off Anderson to take a popular win on his home turf and further evidence the notion that the future of the FIA ETRC is in good hands with a fine crop of youthful talent.
In the GRAMMER TRUCK CUP title stakes the gap at the top of the standings has closed considerably as Oly Janes’ once healthy lead has been reduced to just three points as Luis Recuenco closes the Buggyra Racing driver down.
Janes collated his poorest points haul of the season at Nürburgring after failing to finish race four after sustaining damage in a first lap incident.
Recuenco scored a second place behind Anderson in race two during an eventful weekend for the Trucksport Lutz Bernau driver.
Terry Gibbon and Teo Calvet both had podium visits as they battled hard throughout the weekend.
Calvet caught the eye once again as the teenage sensation battled for podiums and in race two a crack at category victory.
A fraught battle with Gibbon in race two saw the British driver penalised for avoidable contact and thus promoted Calvet to a third-place GRAMMER finish, the equal best of his short FIA ETRC career.
Calvet, driving for the Lion Truck Racing team, then repeated the feat in race four to cap off a superb weekend.
"I'm very happy with this weekend," said Teo Calvet. "It was a little bit difficult but I had the podium finish in the last race so it's good. I'm much faster than I was here last year and that's no the end. I will learn and learn."
Other impressive points hauls over the weekend included 17 points for a consistent José-Eduardo Rodrigues, another one of the new generation of FIA ETRC racers, and Erwin Kleinnagelvort who netted 13 points on his return to the FIA ETRC.
All of the other entrants who raced at Nürburgring; Frankie Vojtisek, Jennifer Janiec, Clemens Hecker and Franck Conti also collect points during the four races.
Check out the latest points standings HERE.