Rumours, Rumours, Rumours

08. January 2010For weeks on end the truck racing gossip factory has been working overtime – mainly about person-related matters. And there was an increasing number of enquiries as to why the WebPortal „truckracing.de / truckrace.info“ did not cover these issues. But, actually, there are no official and reliable statements available. But there is one issue that seems to be at least semi-official: Ross Garrett is said to become Fabien Calvet’s successor as FIA Technical Delegate. The Englishman, who is a real old hand in the truck racing business, took part in the championship with his own team until 2006. In 2007 he stepped in as a driver for Team Frankie, when the team had run into manpower problems after they unexpectedly dismissed Simeon Martin and team boss Frankie Vojtisek was out of action due to a precipitate illness.
The first announcement about Garrett taking over the vacant position as a delegate was released by Examotor at the end of November. Examotor is the organizer of all truck racing events in Spain; and as one of Examotor’s employees is Juan Pons, who is also President of the FIA Truck Racing Commission, chances are that this message is more than just a rumour. However, there never was an official announcement from the FIA.
But all the other news from the buzzing rumour mill are based on hearsay and speculations with more or less truth content – with the stress on ‘less’. That’s why the WebPortal „truckracing.de / truckrace.info“ refrained from reporting about any of these topics. On the other hand, we cannot respond individually to all those questions people pose every day.
The focus of attention is mainly on three people, who certainly rank among the most successful in truck racing: Gerd Körber, Markus Bösiger and Mario Kress. And these three men are regularly in touch with each other, but the issue is not necessarily always truck racing.
Kress and Körber know each other since their childhood days, even their fathers were in the motorsport business together. For a long time Gerd and Mario were an almost inseparable team, and together they achieved their most impressive victories. When Körber left the Buggyra Team, Bösiger took his place and became European champion right away. The Swiss and Körber are acquainted for more than 10 years now – and both have no problem in understanding the other one’s dialect, which is a strong bond. And Bösiger and Kress were not only partners within the Buggyra Team, but became true friends during their three-year cooperation. And, in addition, there is a business connection between Bösiger’s and Kress’ respective companies.

Truth is that Mario Kress planned to withdraw a bit from the current racing events which meant that he would no longer be available permanently as team boss and racing manager. The reasons for his decision are that the Kress family is expecting a child, and that the new enterprise Kress established in the Czech Republic – which is not related to motorsports – turned out to be a great success sooner than expected.
Truth is that Markus Bösiger – certainly in view of the fact that his friend Kress will reduce his activities with Buggyra – was toying with the idea to participate with his own team next season, and intended to take over the Allgäuer Team. Why he had to abandon his plan in the end, was already explained in detail on this WebPortal.
Truth is that last season Gerd Körber had intended to participate in the Truck Grand Prix at the Ring as a guest driver in a Renault truck, but this plan failed because of the boundary conditions. But Körber and Renault Trucks in Lyon stayed in contact, and they had several very positive talks.
We, too, have to confess that during conversations with these three men we – only half jokingly – talked about an “Oldie Team”, because together they are more than 140 years old.
But when weeks ago some reputable commercial vehicle media announced that Körber was going to participate with a new Renault Team in 2010, the man from Rheinau was absolutely furious and complained vehemently. He is certainly not completely done with the topic “truck racing” yet, but there is nothing official so far. In Körber’s estimation the chances are far less than 50 per cent for the time being.
And, according to Körber, the rumours that are apparently on circulation on the internet in Spain – that he is in contact with Iveco, Scania, and Buggyra regarding truck racing – are totally absurd.
Bösiger, on the other hand, is quite amused that at present he plays such a “leading part” in the wild guesses and speculations around the truck racing business. Actually, he is certainly not yet done with truck racing. The Swiss still keeps several options open. Quote Bösiger: Even in regard to Buggyra the final decision hasn’t been made yet, regardless of the fact that the deadline – end of November – is long overdue. In the present situation this is irrelevant. Should Buggyra not find a suitable successor for me, I would gladly accept to stay with Buggyra for another year. End of quote.
But he would also be prepared to drive a Renault truck. After all, he is totally free in his decision in regard of a manufacturer or a brand. And he maintains also good relations with the people at Iveco Motorenforschung AG in Arbon on Lake Constance. And as to the latest rumour that he will possibly be sitting in an Iveco cockpit in 2010, Bösiger stated that he knows several people at Iveco Deutschland in Ulm quite well.
But of course the money is also a big issue. Compared to other drivers in truck racing Körber and Bösiger are doubtless quite well-off. Nevertheless, despite all their sporting ambitions, they will certainly not want to cover all their expenses for the whole season with their own money. Bösiger was already European Champion and won three team titles. Körber is three-time Champion in the SuperRaceTrucks series, and then there are the almost countless titles Mario Kress won – 3 times with Körber, once with Bösiger, twice with Vrsecky, plus 3 team titles. So those people do no longer have to prove themselves.
If all the circumstances are consistent, and Bösiger and/or Körber are able to raise enough money, there is a good chance that we shall see both pilots or at least one of them on the circuit next season. And even though Kress can’t complain about lack of work in his new trailer company, he did not say “no” to the prospect to construct a new RaceTruck if necessary.
But at present everything is still pure guesswork. If anything will become definite – that’s the uniform tenor – the interested public will be informed in time.
By the way, word had it that Jochen Hahn is eager to pilot a Buggyra truck. To all the fans of the Swabian – you may rest assured that the team from Altensteig is at presently busily working on a new MAN RaceTruck.