Tuesday 25th October 2005

Turbo trucks return to Brands

14-litre diesels to race on Bonfire weekend

---

Turbo trucks at Brands

Turbo-charged truck racing makes its return to Brands Hatch on 5-6 November, after an absence of 11 years.

The Truck Race Superprix is quite literally the "biggest" motorsport event on the national calendar. The scene is set for a full grid of 18 colossal five-tonne, 1,000bhp behemoths all vying for the same piece of the Kent circuit’s historic tarmac, as the ten-event BTRA British Truck racing Championship races to its conclusion.

But until the chequered flag falls on Sunday afternoon there’s still everything to play for. Twenty-year veteran Steve Horne heads to the event with a seven-point lead over his nearest rival, David Jenkins who, with 33 championship points up for grabs, still has every chance of wresting the title from the Enstone man.

Horne, however, has other ideas, and hopes that his 14-litre Detroit Diesel-engined ERF machine will help him repeat his 1998 and 1999 season championship success.

Free of the driver aids that have marred other race series, such as anti-lock brakes and traction control, truck racing provides spectacular diesel-puffing, tail-sliding action which has helped it attract an enormous following on the continent. In fact, a 200,000 strong crowd watched the biggest event of the year in July at the Nürburgring.

The three BTRA races will be supported by an eclectic collection of races including the Formula Renault UK Winter Series, the Legends Car Winter Series and the Renault Clio Winter series.

Tickets for the event cost £12 in advance or £15 on the day, although under-12s are free. Call 0870 950 9000 or check the link below.

• www.motorsportdirect.co.uk

[skint_driver]

Makes a change from waiting for them to pass each other on the A14.

[Code Monkey]

This has to be seen to be believed, great fun to watch and amazing displays of skills and balls out control on exiting some corners. very cool to watch the speed they attempt some of the corners.

[RR-Eng]

Is the Bugatti Veyron eligible for this series?

Do the trucks race around the northloop when they are at the nurburgring? It would explain the "interesting" surface there.

[archibold]

Definitely cool, unless you are racing the same weekend...the difference in track conditions between when this lot have been out and before is incredible Lots of rubber and diesel certainly changes the surface of the track...

When we raced with them at Pembrey a few years ago they made the quickest guy start from the back, don't know if they still do.

Archibold

[bluesatin]

I was at Thruxton about 10 years ago on a trackday when three trucks turned up for testing/photoshoot prior to an upcomming event. Having 5 tonnes up the arse of a subaru at 100mph certainly makes you focus!

[nickyboy]

Awesome stuff if you have never seen them then you have to go see.

[L100NYY]

I'll be there and I can't wait!

I went to a couple of these meeting about 10 years ago and they are awesome things to watch! Although it has to be said they are a lot more advanced bits of kit than when I last went!

[nightdriver]

I saw these at Pembrey a few weeks back, a very unique experince!!

[.Adam.]

I'll be there too, looking forward to it!

[Chris71]

RR-Eng said:

Is the Bugatti Veyron eligible for this series?

Ahh, I'm not the only person to think that!

Wonder what they're like to drive? I'm kinda surprised in race trim they're still 5 tonnes and 'only' 1000bhp (although I suppose 68 bpl isn't bad for Detroit!) mind you the tractor units on their own are fairly rapid even in road trim. I'm not even gonna try and comprehend the handling though :-)

[Incorrigible]

nightdriver said:

I saw these at Pembrey a few weeks back, a very unique experince!!

I was racing that weekend (Caterham) there was much shaking of heads and giggling. Top entertainment