Le Mans Preview: Who can catch Kiss
The penultimate round of the 2022 Goodyear FIA ETRC takes place at Le Mans this weekend.
As part of a top-class festival of truck racing, the ETRC grid will again thrill the famously passionate French crowd at the annual 24 Heures Camions event, which features brilliant off-track entertainment and the legendary Truck Show with huge fireworks and a unique carnival atmosphere.
With a 68-point lead and eight races remaining, Norbert Kiss is the title favourite and could already seal the deal on the Le Mans Bugatti circuit this weekend.So far in 2022, Kiss has taken at least one race win at each of the events, and all but one pole position, and has been on an incredible charge with his eyes firmly set on a fourth title.The Hungarian has enjoyed several successes at Le Mans Bugatti before, with a double win last year.
Still leading the chase of Kiss is German Jochen Hahn, who took a second win of his season at Zolder two weeks ago. Hahn took a solid race one victory at Le Mans last season and has been consistently one of the biggest worries for Kiss this year to date.
Sascha Lenz scored a win in Belgium two weeks ago, but with an 80 point gap to Kiss, he’s only within a theoretical chance of the title. The German will however be keen to retain his Vice Championship position from last year against Jochen Hahn.
Adam Lacko will be looking to gain more wins this season in his Buggyra Racing Freightliner, after recording victory number two in Zolder.
Antonio Albacete will be aiming for a clean weekend, after his Sunday at Zolder was affected by issues with the engine.
Steffi Halm saw an upturn in fortunes in Belgium, as she took a third place finish after a typically feisty performance in her Team Schwabentruck IVECO.
André Kursim claimed a third place in race two in Belgium. The Don’t Touch Racing driver won at Le Mans last year and will be looking to repeat his great result this weekend.
PROMOTER’S CUP TITLE CHASE CONTINUES
Téo Calvet enjoys a 23-point lead in the Promoter’s Cup, and even though he had issues in Most and Zolder, the French racer managed to extend his lead over his closest rival Jamie Anderson. On French home ground Calvet will be looking to widen the gap in a bid to edge closer to the crown.
Still mathematically capable of winning the title, Shane Brereton will be aiming for further victories at the venue where he took three Promoter’s Cup wins last season.
Sure to be in contention for podium placings this weekend is Steffen Faas, who took his first category win at the last round in Belgium.
After taking a break from the cockpit in Zolder, José Rodrigues will again be out in action for the Reboconort Racing Truck team this weekend with the Portuguese driver looking to get his first category win.
Clemens Hecker, who took a podium in Belgium, will be looking to collect more silverware this weekend.
Joining the ETRC grid at Le Mans is John Newell in his #18 MAN truck. Newell is a regular podium finisher in the British Truck Racing Championship.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
