The track at Nürburgring in Germany has been considerably changed since several years ago. After the straight part at the start a completely new and very technical part has been built, full of difficult bends. Thus the circuit became longer by about 600 m and is very attractive for the spectators. For the first time the pilots had the opportunity to test the demanding track on Friday in two free practices. Gerd was the one who was able to manage best the difficulties of the new part. He clearly won the first practice and therefore also set the basic record time per one lap. David was also successful - he made fifth best time but lost only 0.015 s to Luostarinen on place four.
In the second free practice Gerd improved his former record time already in the first lap. Later on, however, he started to have some problems with brakes and after three slow laps he retired from the practice. The other pilots were constantly improving their times but nevertheless they were unable to get to the lead instead of Gerd. David was faster by a whole second and kept his fifth position, losing 0.028 s to Albacete on the fourth place. The third free practice of super trucks took place on Saturday morning with full stands. Gerd was most probably feeling the tremendous support from the spectators, since in fact he was the only local pilot, and moreover a very popular one. Again he was able to make the best time. David was again faster by almost a second but this was good enough only for sixth place.
Shortly before the time practice in the afternoon the weather dramatically changed. The sky was overcast and it began to rain heavily. The sixty minutes limit started to run but all pilots were remaining in the pits and waiting. At the moment when 36 minutes were remaining till the end of the practice, it was announced that the practice was discontinued. The rain went on and another about an hour was spent just waiting. Then the commissioners sent an inspection vehicle to the track and decided that the practice will be split in two parts. First half an hour was started immediately and the second one was postponed until Sunday morning.
Again, the time started to be counted down and on the track nothing went on. Everybody was just waiting who will dare start as the first one. At last, Arlaud from France assumed the position of a test pilot, followed by Albacete. Gradually all trucks appeared on the track but the times showed that the conditions are difficult or even dangerous. After two or three laps almost everybody gave up and retreated to the paddock. During the night the rain was stopping but instead of rain the track became foggy.
The visibility in the morning was about 50 metres and the practices were postponed till the time when the weather improves. Every hour a new time schedule was issued and some of the accompanying races were being cancelled, for instance the Anglo-French Truck Cup, etc. At 13.45 the whole event was officially closed.
