Jarama This And That

08. October 2014Fabulous weather, overflowing stands, and 30,000 exuberant fans — the 8th round of the FIA European Truck Racing Championship on the Circuito del Jarama just north of the Spanish capital Madrid, had it all. All, that is, except the marquees of the large global players in the truckmaking industry. In their stead were a variety of other enterprises, particularly in the accessory and aftermarket businesses, in smaller tents or lounges they had rented. There were fewer invited guests this time, and so the paddock wasn’t thronged like it’s been in previous years. In any case, the tickets for the grandstands in Jarama don’t include access to the paddock, unlike at most of the other rounds of the FIA ETRC.
The German delegation was smaller than normal – only four drivers, – but the participation of two ladies among them would surely have gladdened the hearts of many equal-rights advocates back home. The majority of the racers were obviously Spanish, foremost among them Antonio Albacete. On balance, though, the most popular drivers here are the Vila brothers and their friends. Their ancient, hopelessly uncompetitive trucks are usually lapped halfway through the race, but that’s of little consequence to the fans. What they are here for is pure spectacle, and that the brothers Vila serve out in dollops, drifting through almost every corner and then topping it off by scorching the tarmac with their donuts and burnouts. The fans were so euphoric that even otherwise reserved pilots like Albacete and the Czech Adam Lacko (Buggyra) were stirred to displays of their own latent showmanship.
Amid the splendid atmosphere, Steffi Halm was having a rotten weekend. The only opportunities the Lion lady had to get up to speed were in the free practice sessions. Come first qualifying and her steering started to play up.
Most of the fans and even the officials, though, were more than satisfied with what’s become an all-MAN race of champions at the top. This has been one of the closest-fought seasons in the history of the sport. Two thrice-European-champs Antonio Albacete and Jochen Hahn (the German title defender) are separated by just one point — but tantalisingly trail Hungarian sensation Norbert Kiss by six.
The ongoing construction in the paddock demanded a measure of accommodation by the teams, but was nevertheless appreciated all round. The circuit was first conceived in 1963 and opened four years later. One of the most modern racetracks of its era, it has long fallen behind the times. The paddock in particular could do with a complete makeover. The entire reconstruction will take place in three phases stretching till 2021, but the truck racers can’t wait to return and see what this all-time favourite will look like next year.

Impressions: