This page contains archived information and may not display perfectly

Ultimate Truck Challenge of Zolder awaits FIA ETRC GRID

  • gb
11.09.17

ETRC - 2017 Race of Zolder - Preview 

ETRC, Race of Zolder

Where: Circuit Zolder, Belgium
When: For full event timetable and entry list click HERE
Who: Full entry list HERE

Round seven of the FIA European Truck Racing Championship takes place this coming weekend at Belgium’s Circuit Zolder. With six out of nine rounds of this year’s season completed, the championship is about to take a step into its final and decisive phase.

Zolder is arguably one of the biggest challenge on the calendar, both for the drivers and their trucks. One man who’s looking forward to tackling this challenge is the reigning champion and double winner at Zolder last year, Jochen Hahn.

So far, the German has been experiencing a season of mixed fortunes, but following the summer break and a victory last time out at Autodrom Most, Hahn seems to be more at ease with his new for 2017 Iveco truck.

"Zolder is one of my favourite tracks," says Hahn. "Focus is critical here,” says Hahn. “As we get closer towards the end of the year the temperatures drop down and there’s less traction available," explains the Team Hahn Racing driver.

Fellow competitor Sascha Lenz agrees with his compatriot on the importance of traction at the venue located in the province of Limburg. The start/stop nature of Circuit Zolder not only demands trucks to slow down efficiently, but also gather speed. "Good traction when exiting tight chicanes is essential in achieving good lap times," says SL Trucksport MAN racer Lenz.

Two time champion David Vrsecky is another driver who is pleased with the prospect of racing in Belgium. "It’s the best adrenaline we get from the season," admits the Buggyra International Racing System driver, who will turn up at Circuit Zolder on the back of his strongest performance so far this year – second place last time out in Czech Republic.

As the drivers will do their best to stay out of the walls, their trucks will have to work equally as hard, especially the brake systems. "Zolder is the hardest circuit of the year on brakes," explains Stefan Honens, technical director at Team Tankpool24 Racing.

Title favourite Adam Lacko took further steps toward the big title prize in Hungary and Czech Republic.

The Czech ace has secured four victories in the last eight races strengthening his position on top of the standings with a 60-point advantage over second placed Jochen Hahn.

Lacko is a former winner at Zolder, having stood on the top step of the podium in Belgium twice last year.

Behind the Czech racer there’s only 17 points between Jochen Hahn, Steffi Halm and Norbert Kiss in the battle for second overall.

Promoter’s Cup gives added spice
Things spiced up in the Promoter’s Cup in Czech Republic as title contender André Kursim suffered an engine failure in qualifying forcing him to sit out the weekend while José Rodrigues in his Roboconorte MAN gathered a healthy haul of 46 points to leapfrog the German.

The lead in the title fight is now Rodrigues, and the Portuguese driver is 30 points clear of the Team Tankpool24 Racing driver Kursim. The young German will have to implement a ‘maximum attack’ strategy in order to keep his diminishing title hopes alive, while Rodrigues will do his best to keep his nose clean and collect points consistently.

There will be a host of fresh race by race entrants in Belgium this weekend contributing to the provisional 18-truck grid.

Jose Manuel Viera De Sousa and Jose Fernandes Teodosio arrive in their Renault and Volvo respectively. Both of the VTR Racing drivers entered at Nurburgring back in July and will be keen to challenge for Promoter’s Cup points again.

Also returning is Thomas Robineau who took a pair of class wins at Misano in May. The French MAN driver will be looking to add to his silverware this weekend, a track he knows well.

Additional entries also come from Portugal and Holland in the shape of Jose Eduardo Texeira Rodrigues and Henry Tijhuis. Rodrigues will be the youngest driver in the field as the grandson of Eduardo and son of Jose gets set to follow up on his 2016 FIA ETRC debut at Jarama.

What happened last year?
Race 1: Jochen Hahn, MAN
Race 2: Adam Lacko, Freightliner
Race 3: Jochen Hahn, MAN
Race 4: Adam Lacko, Freightliner

Follow the action live from Most
 
Check out the live timing right HERE
Supplement the viewing experience with live text commentary as by clicking HERE

For the latest points standings click HERE