Truck racing

Truck racing is a form of motor racing which involves modified versions of heavy trucks on racing circuits. This type of racing is popular in Europe. For the American version of pickup truck racing, see the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, or an earlier series, the NPTRA (National Pickup Truck Racing Association) founded by Buck Baker. For the Brazilian series, see Fórmula Truck. For the British series, see Pickup Truck Racing.

The sport started over twenty years ago and enjoyed great success, but declined in the 1990s. However, in the last few years the profile of truck racing in Europe and the United Kingdom has increased, and currently over 30 teams regularly compete. The sporting regulations came under the control of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) later, to ensure that the vehicles conform to the layout and original style of the truck, whilst defining the safety standards required to race.

Maximum race speed is restricted to 160km/h (100 mph) for safety reasons, and a minimum weight limit is 5500 kg. Races start from a rolling start, and commonly races last from 8 to 12 laps. Although a non contact sport, due to the physical size, and closeness of trucks to one another during races, minor collisions can often occur. However, injuries to drivers are very rare.

Unlike other forms of motor sport, race trucks look like, and conform to regulations, to ensure that major components used are the same as their road-going counterparts.

All drivers must hold a race licence issued by the Motor Sports Association, or the national motorsport body from the drivers country.

The makes of truck currently represented in truck racing cover most of the common marques over the last 20 years.

The regulations allow for trucks to compete in two classes, so trucks with less sophisticated engine management systems, suspension, and braking systems can compete effectively.

Manufacturers include: MAN AG, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Scania AB, ERF, Foden, Iveco, Seddon Atkinson, Sisu Auto, Renault Trucks, Scammell, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Zavod Imeni Likhacheva (ZIL)

External links

* [http://www.truckrace.eu FIA European Truck Racing website]
* [http://www.btra.org/ British Truck Racing Association website]
* [http://www.lescamions.com LesCamions.com] - Truck Racing news, pictures and movies (in French)
* [http://www.truckracing.de TruckRacing.de] European Truck Racing information
* [http://www.truck-grand-prix.de/ ADAC Truck Grand Prix homepage]
* [http://www.lutz-bernau.de/ Lutz Bernau Truck Racing Team]
* [http://www.formulatruck.com.br/ Brazilian Fórmula Truck] (in Portuguese)
* [http://www.racetrucksfinland.fi/index.php Race Trucks Finland] (in Finnish)