Adam Lacko took his second win of the day at the Nürburgring on Sunday evening after a dramatic final race which saw Lacko emerge as the new leader in the title fight by just a single point.
Adam Lacko took his second win of the day at the Nürburgring on Sunday evening after a dramatic final race which saw Lacko emerge as the new leader in the title fight by just a single point.
The Buggyra International Racing System driver came from eighth on the reversed grid to win in contentious circumstances after an incident with Rene Reinert decided the race on lap ten.
An incredible 123,000 fans witnessed the FIA European Truck Racing Championship action over the weekend at Nürburgring. They saw some unforgettable action from Europe’s best and most committed truck racers.
The race start saw pole sitter Jiri Forman overtaken by fellow front row starter Anthony Janiec (Lion Truck Racing MAN) on the run down to turn one. Forman, competing in his first FIA ETRC season, also lost second position to a flying Rene Reinert, who immediately set after leader Janiec.
Reinert snatched the lead on lap two but then survived going straight-on at the Veedol Chicane, after contact with Janiec who had fought back to regain the lead. It cost Reinert a track limits warning, but he continued despite appearing to make an advantage as he by-passed the chicane.
Once Lacko was released by his Buggyra International Racing System teammate, Forman, on lap two, he went after the leaders - Reinert and Janiec. The Czech made a move on Janiec at the final corner and was easily through to ensure he could start attacking Reinert for the lead.
Winner of race one on Saturday, Jochen Hahn, was able to make progress in the opening exchanges and was soon pressuring Steffi Halm (Reinert Racing) for fourth position. The joint championship leader made the move on lap three and then took another position almost immediately when Janiec ran wide at the final corner.
By the start of lap five Lacko was able to get in position to attack Reinert in to the turn two/three complex. But, it wasn’t until lap nine that he was able to make a serious attempt as he tried to open the door on the defensive Reinert.
The No.55 Buggyra International Racing System Freightliner ‘FatFox’ lost some front left bodywork during contact between the pair but the German was initially able to resist the pressure.
This gave third placed Jochen Hahn the chance to close up to the warring leaders. The German joined the battle with three laps remaining and got to within 0.3 tenths of second placed Lacko.
It all came to a head at Turn 13 on the tenth tour as Lacko went to claim the inside line. The resulting contact saw Reinert fired-off through the gravel trap and down the order to fifth position.
Lacko was able to build a slight gap to Hahn and take the flag 2.148s ahead of his rival and leap back in to the title chase lead by just a single point.
Steffi Halm and Norbert Kiss fought gamely for third position in the closing laps, with the popular German just fending off Kiss’ Tankpool24 Racing entered Mercedes-Benz to secure a third podium appearance of the 31st ADAC Truck Grand Prix meeting.
Kiss’ fourth place was another good haul of points for the Hungarian who was a threat in the Tankpool24 Racing Mercedes-Benz all weekend. He now heads to his home race at Hungaroring next month with good momentum to challenge for at least more podium positions.
Reinert came home a frustrated and angry fifth which was another poor reward for his spirited races this weekend.
Sixth place fell to Gerd Korber who spent much of the final stages in energetic combat with a flying Ryan Smith, who almost pulled off the move of the season in the final stages with a daring ‘dummy move’ in to turn one. The British driver though had to settle for seventh place, just ahead of Anthony Janiec.
The final two points were taken by Ellen Lohr (Truck Sport Lutz Bernau MAN) and Shane Brereton (Stuart Oliver Racing MAN). The pair fought fiercely throughout most of the race in what was an equally matched fight. Ultimately it was resolved in the legendary female German’s favour.
The next rounds of the 2016 FIA European Truck Racing Championship will take place at Hungaroring over the weekend of 27/28 August.
Final results can be found by clicking here
Click here for the latest points standings