Sunday in Zolder Part 2 - Lacko cruises to victory

17. September 2017Zolder - Many watching the trucks take their places in the formation did a double take – yesterday’s celebrated winner André Kursim was seen pulling into the 12th slot, even though he’d qualified 9th. The fact is, the tankpool24 pilot had picked up a three-place grid penalty for cutting a corner while overtaking José Rodrigues in Race 2. Further up everything was as it should be. Polesitter Lacko cemented his claim on the title with a chanceless pole-to-flag win. Behind the Czech there were only minor changes in the order. Hahn shot out ahead of Albacete to seize second place. Behind Steffi Halm, Lenz initially was forced to bow to his direct pursuers Kiss and Vršecký, but then immediately grabbed 6th place back from the Czech. The first six positions were thus settled early on.
Halm presently latched on to Albacete’s MAN but could find no way to overtake. The young German lost out to the Spaniard by just four tenths at the finish. She was followed home by Kiss and Lenz. The top six crossed the line in average intervals of a second apart.
Vršecký was some distance further back in 7th, barely ahead of Kursim. With a newfound confidence following yesterday’s victory, the Mercedes pilot had not only made up four places but also claimed pole position for the final race of the weekend.
José Rodrigues held off a storming advance by Körber to take 9th. The Iveco pilot had, owing to the cancellation of his qualifying times, had to start from the rear of the somewhat shrunken field of 16 trucks – Frenchman Dominique Orsini missing following the engine failure his truck suffered in Race 2. The thrice European champion would have wished for 8th place, if only because of the chance to start Race 4 on pole, but had to make do with 10th and a single point.
The prize for the winning team went to Buggyra 1969 (Vršecký / Lacko). „Die Bullen von Iveco Magirus“ (Hahn / Körber) and Reinert Adventure (Steffi Halm / Lenz) were first and second runners-up.
Kursim took the Promoter’s Cup for the third time in a row this weekend, ahead of José Rodrigues and Thomas Robineau.

Impressions: