Our team arrived to Nogaro in France with a clear target - to enable both our pilots to climb one step in the current ranking of the Cup. However, in case of Gerd even a substantial reduction of the lead of Albacete on place two with eleven more points would mean a success. However, the system in which the points may be obtained from two races only does not make this task easy at all. It seemed therefore more realistic that David would try to attack MatŘjovskě on sixth place, having "only" four more points.
Since the race in Austria, GYRTECH engines went through substantial changes that were supposed to assist both pilots in the fulfilment of this formidable task. Martin Koloc with the team of engineers decided to use a new generation of camshaft including a new modification of fuel injection with improved control program of the engine. This complex of changes was supposed to enhance especially the reaction of the engine to the accelerator and to adjust it for higher performance.
The racing weekend in Nogaro started with journalist rides. The representatives of French media could use the co-pilot seat to enjoy the speed and the power of Formula 1 among trucks. However, looking into pale faces of some of them one could rather speculate about fright and dismay in terms of this unique lifetime experience In the afternoon the pilots of both divisions had an opportunity to feel the track again during an hour of a test practice. This was particularly important for David who started for the first time at the circuit. The results were indicating that he was becoming ever more certain at this very technical track.
In the free practices of Saturday he was able to confirm that he indeed had managed the track well and he even made fourth best time just behind Gerd in the second free practice. In the two remaining free practices Gerd became even more successful finishing second behind the current leader of the Super Race Trucks division, Harri Luostarinen from Finland. However, the most important round came in the late afternoon. Within an hour each pilot had to make the maximum of 15 laps on the track of 3 636 metres and reach the best possible time. After one third of the time practice Gerd was on place three and David on place five. Luostarinen was in the lead. Then both Buggyra trucks took a "rest" of twenty minutes in the pits. After quick assessment of the data and subsequent adjustments of the frame and engine software both trucks went again to the track, which in the meantime became rather empty. Gerd made one slower lap and then pulled forward. Suddenly he was leading the current ranking. Apparently David wanted to demonstrate that Buggyra trucks are twins and climbed to place four. In the end we were only disappointed by B”siger who tightly overtook Gerd and won the practice.
B”siger in the pole position was also able to make the best start for the qualifying race. Gerd and Luostarinen were immediately following him. Local pilot Ferte overtook David and was driving on fourth place. Albacete was sixth and MatŘjovskě seventh. The leading group of three made some distance from the other trucks behind and kept their ranking until the finish. David was keeping himself just behind Ferte but also had to resist the attacks of Albacete, who did not like at all to remain on the sixth place. Then Albacete was too fast entering the finish turn in the sixth lap and went out of the track. Before he made it back again, MatŘjovskě rushed forward and did not yield his place any more. Thus David could peacefully finish on fifth place and collect the points.
Prior to the start of the final race both our pilots were very much self-confident and especially Gerd was clearly aiming to the very top after third place from Misano and second from A1-Ring. He made the best start and went to the lead. During the first three laps he was safely in the front but then he was penalized by stop and go for reportedly early start. This pushed him back behind the colourful group of trucks but still he started to chase the leading positions again. At that time the leader was Luostarinen, followed by B”siger, Ferte, David, Albacete and MatŘjovskě. The Finn was trying very hard to get separated from the pack behind him but this lead to a big mistake and his Caterpillar finished buried in the safety zone. For the remaining seven laps David was able to keep the third place, although several times he was just next to the limits in his efforts to defend his position against Albacete. In the end he was rewarded by climbing to the podium and collecting the laurel for the first time in his life. Together with B”siger who won and Ferte on the second place he could enjoy the lap of honour in front of full and cheerful stands. Gerd had really bad luck because during his pursuit the oil supply tube cracked in the tenth lap. Despite this he was able to make it to the finish with the damaged truck and this was just sufficient to be classified on sixth place.
After four events Gerd remains on third place and his loss to Albacete was reduced by one point. David is very satisfied with his sixth place in front of MatŘjovskě.
