Last weekend the French circuit Dijon-Prenois was the venue where the start of the series of eleven races of the European Cup of Trucks on Circuits 2001 took place. Compared to preceding years some modifications were made in the scheme of racing with the aim to make this discipline even more attractive. The modifications concern Super Race Truck category, which was subdivided in two groups: A – factory teams, and B – private teams with factory support. Obligatory use of restrictor in group B is another novelty. Both groups compete together, but points are awarded separately for each group.
The system of practices, qualifications and main races has also been changed in comparison to previous years. The new scheme includes three free practices plus a measured one on Saturdays. On Sundays there is a warm-up round and then the qualification rounds follow, where already the points are awarded, and then the main race. The system is getting similar to F1, which enables the spectator to see most important events during a single day.
Traditionally, the first race in France is the place where it is revealed what was done in the teams during the winter break and thus the chances for the forthcoming season can be estimated. Our Buggyra Truck Racing team departed to France without any substantial ambitions for top results. The season of 2001 should serve as a platform to start a project spanned over several years. The ultimate aim of the project is nothing less but to obtain the title of European Champion. In order to fulfil this aim several companies joined their efforts. The project is led by double champion Martin Koloc. Gerd Körber was engaged as a pilot.
However, already during free practices Körber showed that he was not contented with a role of an outsider. In the group of fourteen competitors he was able to achieve times that ranked him 7th to 8th. In the most important round of Saturday – the measured practice – he was able to take fully the advantage of changing weather. Before it started to rain he had made the best time which was not beaten until the end of practice. This performance resulted in a sensational success in positioning for the start for qualification on Sunday. Next morning, however, the situation was completely changed. Körber was disqualified because of low position of the fifth wheel and therefore he had to start from the seventh row of the grid. Nevertheless he presented an excellent performance. Soon he got to eighth place and by the end of the race he managed to climb up to a very good sixth position.
The final race took place under the conditions of constant heavy rain. Based on the results from qualification, Gerd started from the third row. The start was successful and he was able to keep his fifth position during the first third of the race. After two mistakes he dropped to place eight, which also was his final result. The reason for making the mistakes were problems with windscreen fogging in the extreme rain.
The first public appearance of Buggyra Truck Racing team was surely a success. Both the pilot and the truck are able to compete with the others at the same level. A lot of work remains to be don in order to get higher. Team members started already a day after the race, when they remained on the circuit and tested different options for tuning the truck.
The next race will take place in two weeks in Valencia in Spain. We have only 125 days to go and our racing team will appear at the home circuit of Most!
