Friday, 29.03.2024 | Deutsch | English
Friday on the Nürburgring

Friday on the Nürburgring

21. July 2006Nürburgring - The Truck Grand Prix on the Ring is more and more becoming a 4 days event, because on Thursday there was more action on the Eifel circuit than on Saturdays or Sundays during other truck racing events. Although Thursday meant for the pilots to go easy on the rounds they had to do with the representatives of the press and the sponsors and especially with the fans who had treated themselves to a trip with a race truck, some of the mechanics were kept rather busy in spite of the almost unbearable temperatures of about 35 C (approx. 95 F). And many a co-pilot had an exciting story to tell.
On Friday the temperatures were the same. And the thunderstorms forecast by some weather stations – which would have had some cooling effect – were nowhere to be seen. And the tightly packed programme left no room for breathers. Those who didn’t want to watch the race cars and trucks on the circuit, could have a look at the paddock. There, too, a lot of actions and activities were awaiting the visitors. For instance, there was the VW Constellation – Pace Truck at several races of the FIA European Truck Racing Championship – which people could haul over the hot asphalt with mere muscular strength; they could have a rodeo ride or stand on their heads, they could win prizes in different games, do karaokes, they could prick balloons with a big needle fixed to a truck, or they could just relax at one of the stalls of the numerous exhibiting companies.
In the catering marquee of Hahn Racing, Jochen Hahn answered the questions of a group of handicapped people. And also at Hahn Racing – but not with Jochen Hahn – the live-saving service Malteser demonstrated how to get a seriously wounded driver out of the narrow race truck cockpit.
But the other truck racers had a full programme, too. Especially those who will start at the International Truck Masters Germany as well as at the British Championship. The timed practice for the first qualification races (which are held in two groups) was won by Markus Oestreich (Mercedes Benz), followed by Antonio Albacete (MAN) and Oese’s team mate Niko Pulic. In the focus of the media attention, however, was Hans-Joachim Stuck, who will be at the start with the third Allgäuer MAN as a guest driver. And Oese’s companion from the touring car days, by gaining tenth position in the timed practice made it quite clear that he is willing to put up a good fight against the truck racing professionals, especially on “his” Ring.