2016 FIA ETRC scene is set for best season ever
Competitors and fans alike can expect superb continuity and competition with the formal ratification of the 2016 FIA European Truck Racing Championship (FIA ETRC) calendar by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
Keeping the vast majority of 2015’s circuits, the combatants for this season’s prestigious FIA ETRC crown will race across Europe in familiar markets where truck racing and culture thrive.
Beginning the season in the scenic valley of Spielberg, the 2016 spring will not have looked more beautiful than at the epic Red Bull Ring circuit on 30 April/1 May.
A month later, the rolling mountains of Styria are replaced by the warm climate of the Adriatic coast and the challenging World Circuit Marco Simoncelli at Misano-Adriatico.
As well as the culinary delights of the Circuit Paul Armagnac at Nogaro, there will be plenty for the large collection of Truck fans to lick their lips at in the second weekend of June. The twisty Nogaro track always creates close and exciting action and the 2016 vintage is sure to be as delicious as the produce from the impressive local vineyards.
The carnival of racing at the Nürburgring will see another spectacular burst of colour as the German public come to one of their best loved motorsport events. On and off the track the atmosphere will be a festival of fun as the Blancpain Sprint Series joins the action. What is sure, is that triple champion Jochen Hahn will get a lot of attention at his home circuit.
After a short summer break the truck racing family heads east to one of its spiritual homes at the Hungaroring. On the outskirts of Budapest, the challenging track will see the raised spectator banks full of fans taking in the packed timetable of racing, which will again feature the Blancpain GT Sprint cars. The Norbert Kiss fanatics are sure to be waving their red, white and green national flags with pride all weekend, willing him to a 3rd consecutive FIA ETRC title.
The autumn period sees a busy finale to the season with four events packed in to five action-packed weeks. Just a week after the Hungaroring, the short trip to Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic is made and many FIA ETRC fans can see a double-header as the ‘Eastern European Truck-trip’ continues its mighty way, with many of the partisan fans roaring on local ace Adam Lacko.
Autodrom Most, which is under ambitious new ownership in 2016, has big plans for upgrades and expansion, will witness a new era of impressive events to restore the great circuit to its former glories.
The Zolder track in Belgium has a rich history of providing fabulous racing for the Benelux truck fans and another closely fought battle will be guaranteed in 2016.
The final two races of the season see two ultra-popular venues with the Jarama facility in Madrid hosting the penultimate event, before the season is signed off with the always tumultuous Le Mans weekend, where the fabled Circuit Bugatti track will play host to a dramatic climax.
New series promotor, European Truck Racing Association Promotion, has already launched a brand new website and social media channels and these along with international and national TV coverage are part of the vision to bring new scope for competitors and fans to enjoy the fascinating spectacle of the FIA European Truck Racing Championship.
FIA European Truck Racing Championship’s 2016 calendar dates
30 April/1 May: Austria, Red Bull Ring
28/29 May: Italy, Misano
11/12 June: France, Nogaro
2/3 July: Germany, Nürburgring
27/28 August: Hungary, Hungaroring
3/4 September: Czech Republic, Most
17/18 September: Belgium, Zolder
1/2 October: Spain, Jarama
8/9 October: France, Le Mans
Event Timetable:
Day 1:
2 free practice sessions of 20 minutes
1 qualifying practice session of 15 minutes (Q1) for all the trucks
1 qualifying practice session of 10 minutes, called “Super Pole”, for the 10 trucks that set the best times during Q1.
2 championship races of 45km +/- 1 lap (Race 1 and 2)
Day 2:
1 warm up of 15 minutes
1 qualifying practice session of 15 minutes (Q2)
1 qualifying practice session of 10 minutes, called “Super Pole”, for the 10 trucks that set the best times during Q2 and which will serve to determine the first 10 positions on the starting grid for Race 3.
2 championship races of 45km +/- 1 lap (Race 3 and 4)
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