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Smolensk calls

Smolensk calls

29. June 2010But nobody can say for certain, whether it will be possible for all the teams to answer that call, because for several teams the travel preparations for the journey to Russia are a lot more complex than expected. It’s not only about the expenses, but there are also external conditions – transit through the Republic of Belarus in order to enter Russia – which reveal circumstances and require activities the truck racing community is not accustomed to (any more). However, the ‘old hands’ will certainly remember the time when East European countries joined the ETRC. But meanwhile all the venues are situated in Member States of the EU, and we are used to crossing open borders without any problems while travelling to the respective circuit. But the journey to Smolensk requires a lot of – and above all unusual – preparatory work, such as applying for a visa and complying with customs regulations. With regard to the entry procedures, TRO chairman Fabien Calvet will commit himself to taking care of the visa. Furthermore there is a plan for the teams to assemble in Poland at the border to Belarus, and to continue the 600 km journey through the transit country and the additional 130 km to the Smolensk circuit in an accompanied convoy.
And as to the direction sign shown above – saying Smolensk Circuit 25 km – the truck racers will certainly be happy when they catch sight of that sign in its original location.
But till then the teams’ logisticians have to face great challenges – if only because of the different information with regard to the customs regulations, which, for instance, would not allow the teams to bring along great amounts of food. The catering chef and the cooks of the teams, who provide food for up to 20 team members and at every event play host to a varying number of guests, at present have no idea of what to expect. Locally they usually buy primarily fresh produce, such as fruit, vegetable and bread. Quite a lot of the food is prepared at home and carried along refrigerated or even deep-frozen.
But not only the physical well-being of the team members is affected; also the ‘leading actor’ – the RaceTruck – wants to be supplied with its accustomed nutrition. According to available information the maximum amount of fuel allowed to bring into Belarus in a spare canister is 20 litres. When entering Russia, filled spare canisters are not allowed at all.
There is no information available, up to what extent any exceptions for motor sports will be allowed. All these matters are basic conditions the truck racers never had to worry about so far. On the other hand, everybody is curious and fired up for the new circuit. After all, the truck racing people could be a little bit proud if the first FIA race on Russian soil was a ETRC round, and this would generally open new opportunities for motor sports in Russia.
But the definite homologation is yet to come. Our Russian colleague Sergey Bednaruk is intently watching the development of the Smolensk circuit and time and again provides the WebPortal „truckracing.de / truckrace.info“ with news. According to Bednaruk there was again a FIA-Delegation on site some weeks ago under the direction of the WTTC, and they gave their consent in principle.
Last week Permanent Race Director Tony Iddon was in Russia to inspect the track from the viewpoint of a truck racer. Now it was stated that some sections of the track had not been coated yet with the final tarmac; the ultimate decision will be taken on July 20.
But the people at the Smolensk circuit definitely count on the arrival of the teams of the FIA European Truck Racing Championship early in August.