Jarama 2003

9th Race of the FIA European Truck Racing Cup 2003

Lack of success of our pilots in Belgium made the ranking tighter and therefore a big fight could be expected for each point at the technical circuit of Jarama. Best results were obviously expected from Antonio on his home circuit. He could also rely on the support from the stands that are traditionally very full. However, the results of first two free practices indicated that it would be rather Gerd and David who might think about best placing. In the third practice David finished a single lap only and had to early retire to the pits because of problems with rear axle. Still he was able to keep place four. Gerd was able to make second best time but was not satisfied with engine power. A short meeting of team technical management decided to have the engine immediately replaced.

After less than two hours Gerd rewarded the mechanics for their accurate work. Straight during the first lap of timed practice he made the time which was later on not beaten by any of the other ten pilots. In the beginning David was not that successful and remained on fourth place. The practice was interrupted for almost twenty minutes due to Bouzige from France, who went out of the track. Then David was again able to find his old form from the free practices and moved forward to second place just behind Gerd. Antonio improved as well and the triumph of Buggyra was completed with his third place. Young Adam Lacko with Tatra was also doing well and ensured for himself the position on the grid next to Antonio. Östreich was only 11th facing considerable technical problems and moved upwards only owing to disqualification of Luostarinen from Finland and Stalder from France. Both were penalized for exceeding the maximum speed limit of 160 km/h.

Gerd had best start into the qualifying race and it seemed that David would be also able to closely follow him into the first bend. But suddenly his Buggyra got to the outer margin and Lacko together with Antonio overtook him along the inner edge. Later on Östreich made it as well. Then the ranking remained stable till the last lap when much to the disappointment of local fans Östreich overtook also Antonio, who ended on place four.

Final race was also controlled by Gerd, who immediately secured the pole position for himself and each lap was able to get farther away from his biggest rival Östreich. This time David was able to make most of the struggle in the first lap. He emerged on place three and was able to keep it during the 13 laps of the race in comfortable distance from Lacko. Then he very much deserved his place at the podium together with Gerd and Östreich. Antonio continued to disappoint local spectators by damaging his truck after hard attack on Lacko at the beginning. After the collision Antonio was unable to continue in the race.

In total ranking prior to the last event Gerd improved his position ahead of Östreich having now 14 points more. David returned to third place, 6 points ahead of Antonio.

 
Buggyra 2008