Truck Race Organisation takes on the Tasks of providing Tyres

17. March 2011Less than a year ago the Truck Race Organisation was established, and by now they have already achieved some considerable success that is also clearly recognizable from the outside. TRO chairman Fabien Calvet – who also doubles as FIA coordinator – is not only fairly confident that the TRO will soon be able to present their first sponsor for the series, but they will definitely take on the task of providing the tyres for the truck racers in the coming season. They will go on using Goodyear truck racing tyres, but as TRO can make bulk purchases directly from the manufacturer and as the transport is organised by Robineau Logistics, this will mean a considerable price advantage for all teams and drivers.
When the rules in regard to the tyres were determined in the new regulations, many of the less well-to-do teams feared that they could not be competitive any longer. (See also our report dated November 16, 2010: “New Dates, new Tyre Regulations” and in detail under “TruckRacing”: “FIA-Veröffentlichungen für Fahrer, Teams und Medien“ <FIA publications for drivers, teams and media> 2011 Season: “2011 ETRC Sporting Regulations”: article 9; “Tyres”).
Those teams reasoned that in order to get into top positions they would have to use the full contingent of new tyres they were provided with, according to the regulations, for each racing day. “But”, as was often stated, “we cannot afford to buy that many new tyres considering the high prices”. But now it looks quite different.
The new regulations and the new distribution channel should put to bed the rumours put about (not only) last season, namely that several drivers and teams with good personal contacts to the tyre manufacturer probably received “better” tyres, or that some drivers had improved the grip of the tyre surface by applying – illegal – treatment.