Friday in Zolder

16. September 2016Zolder - A storm with hefty squalls passed through the Limburg region yesterday evening, but today it was dry and only slightly cloudy. As the truck racers in the FIA European Championship went out for their first two free practice sessions late this afternoon, the temperature was a comfortable 25°C.
Sixteen trucks in all have been entered for this 7th round at the scenic Belgian circuit – the 14 full-season racers are joined by French MAN pilot Thomas Robineau and Finn John Hemming.
Frankie Vojtíšek has had to pull out for the second race in a row. Frankie’s wrecked MAN was made race-ready a week after that horror crash at the Hungaroring, but the Czech himself hasn’t fully recovered from the delayed aftereffects.
Ellen Lohr wasn’t able to make it in time for free practice owing to another preoccupation. Her MAN is enjoying a day off, although we know Lohr would rather be pounding the track with it for all she’s worth.
So today there were eight MANs, three Mercedes-Benz, two Freightliners, and one Iveco and one Scania in the hunt for quick times.
As at every race weekend so far this season, championship leaders Jochen Hahn (MAN) and Adam Lacko (Buggyra Freightliner) set the early pace. In the first session German MAN pilot was a nose ahead with the day’s fastest lap, a 1:58.120; in the second, the Czech was a little quicker than Hahn.

Impressions: