Smolensk – Preliminary Report

26. July 2012After the 7th race of the FIA Truck Racing Championship at the race track in Smolensk in western Russia, the truck racers will have a true break for the first time this season. Seven races in 11 weeks: There has never been a more stressful schedule. Counting the races in Istanbul and Smolensk there have been races that were extremely elaborate, both financially and time-wise.
On the entry list for the FIA on July 25th for the race in Smolensk are 16 race trucks. The tankpool24-Mecedes-Team with Ellen Lohr (GER) and the Dutch Scania - driver Erwin Kleinnagelvoort are also on the entry list, even though it was said that neither of them would participate in Russia. Even 14 drivers would be considered a great success, including the MAN race trucks from the multinational Frankie OXXO Truck Racing Team. It is said that Mike Konovalov as well as Jurii Egorov in their Buggyra-Freightliners will be at the starting line. Taking Alexander Lvov into consideration, this would mean that three Russian drivers would be competing in the race. The spectators would certainly be thrilled.
The FIA on the other hand will not be happy about the fact that only one team (MKR-Technology) among the three listed teams, will be competing with their complete team. Team Blaise / Bouzige Truck Racing doesn’t have a single truck at the race track and Pneu Bösiger Team 14 is missing their French driver Anthony Janiec. Only his teammate Markus Bösiger (SUI, Renault) will be at the starting line. According to FIA regulations, both trucks of one team have to compete, otherwise the team can not score any points.
The race at the Smolenskring carries the title “Truck Battle Russia“. One race can easily turn into a battle on this tight race track with numerous curves – especially on the second race of the day, when the first 8 drivers start into the race in reverse order. Before this the teams had to “fight a different battle” – crossing the border from Zilupe, Latvia into Russia. Despite all privileges compared to other truck drivers, this procedure still remains extremely time consuming. While some members of the teams, who were travelling with the trucks, had to grapple with border formalities, others travelled by plane to Russia and took their first sight-seeing tour over the Red Square. Fans who recognized the teams then sometimes asked for a picture.

Impressions: