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Nogaro Preliminary Report

Nogaro Preliminary Report

17. June 2015Nogaro - The third June weekend has been the slot for the Nogaro fixture of the FIA European Truck Racing Championship for a good 15 years now. But the truck racers have gone at it on Circuit Paul Armagnac in this small town in the Gascony for much longer than that - races of the French national championship were held here even before the ETRC came into being.
The French championship races are still run here, but separately from those of the ETRC. We have a packed programme, the action kicking off on Friday morning itself. Since the circuit is situated right in the middle of this picture-postcard place, everyone is careful to observe the obligatory noon break. But Nogaro will be upended on Friday evening when not only the FIA pilots but also the French racers parade their racetrucks through the narrow streets and lanes. Later, the Floc (de Gascogne) will flow at a reception hosted by the mayor at the tiny market square.
Otherwise, most eyes will be on Steffi Halm, the comely young Swabian who returns to the FIA ETRC at this round. Steffi is extraordinarily popular with the French fans, being the first woman to have won the French national championship.
In Nogaro she will bear the Reinert Racing standard as a race-by-race entrant. René had originally wanted her to race for his outfit for the full season, but that was not to be. The truck he had intended for her to drive was sold to a racer in the British championship, and it took a group of sponsors a lot of work persuading Jochen Hahn to get his 2014 race truck, which was to be used as a show truck, back to race-readiness. Getting a competitive MAN race engine took another load of effort, but now at last the truck rolls resplendent in its white-and-red livery.
There are 14 trucks are registered for this round. The French race-by-race pilots will be in action in the French championship.
The truck race weekend in Nogaro is, like others on the calendar, not just a motorsport event but also a trucker jamboree. As part of the festivities a number of beautifully dolled-up trucks will lap the circuit in a leisurely parade on Sunday.
If you believe the forecasts, the weather here is going to be thoroughly enjoyable - clear skies, radiant sunshine, and temperatures around 30°. There could, however, be a light shower over Nogaro on Friday.

Impressions:

Nogaro Preliminary Report
Nogaro Preliminary Report