Where: Le Mans, Bugatti, France 23/24 September

When: For the Timetable click HERE

Who: for the Full Entry List click HERE

The 2017 FIA European Truck Racing Championship arrives at the renowned Le Mans Bugatti circuit this weekend for the penultimate event of the season.

An intense period of races continues as the quest to find the 2017 driver and team champions goes on.

Since the second round of the season at Misano back in May, Adam Lacko has headed the points table and the top position has been in his iron grip ever since. Even a gearbox problem at Zolder last weekend failed to stop his seemingly unstoppable march to his first ever FIA ETRC title.

The Buggyra International Racing System Freightliner ace enjoys a 53-point advantage over reigning champion Jochen Hahn with 120 to play for in the remaining rounds at Le Mans Bugatti and Jarama.

It is within Lacko’s grasp to clinch the title this weekend as he just needs a net gain of three points over his rivals from the four races to seal the deal. At this stage, it looks like Lacko’s to lose but stranger things have happened in truck racing!

Norbert Kiss chases Lacko and Hahn, sitting threateningly just 12-points further back from Hahn in third position.

The Tankpool24 Racing Mercedes-Benz driver scored double-victories in La Sarthe in both 2012 and 2014 but will be determined to end a three-year drought at the challenging French track.

Halm: ‘Le Mans weekend is special’

Returning to the scene of her two wins last season at Le Mans will be Reinert Racing driver Steffi Halm.

“I like the short loop and you have there some fast corners, some downhill corners and also some very tight ones for example when you enter the start/finish straight,” says Halm. “It’s very tight there and traction is very important. So it’s a tricky one to find the right setup to get the right speed.

“It’s always really good there. Le Mans is something outstanding and special,” she continues. “It’s a little bit like Nurburgring. They have a lot of attractions for the spectators. A lot of people come here and they do a lot for the people apart from racing."

Kursim emerges as race-winning force

One of the FIA ETRC’s young guns, Andre Kursim, enjoyed a breakthrough occasion at Zolder last weekend as he took two outright victories, the first of his career.

The 25-year-old will have one eye this weekend on his Promoter’s Cup title battle as he attempts to chase down Jose Rodrigues, who he trails by 18 points.

Kursim is fighting back from a disastrous Autodrom Most event at the beginning of the month when a mechanical issues caused him to miss the majority of the meeting. But, his return to form has been sensational and the fascinating season-long battle between him and Rodrigues has been one of the duels of the year.

There will also be another definite Promoter’s Cup winning threat for Kursim and Rodrigues to watch out for at Le Mans.

Shane Brereton returns after missing the Zolder round, and the British driver will be aiming to re-capture his excellent form at Hungaroring and Most recently which saw him take multiple Promoter’s Cup wins, as well as a brilliant overall victory at Most.

Making his first return to the FIA ETRC since Nürburgring, will be the ‘Rainbow Warrior’ himself – Cees Zandbergen. The colourful Dutch veteran makes a welcome comeback in his unique Scania machine.

Another additional entry for Le Mans is Manuel Goncalves Rodrigues in his Volvo, which makes it six different truck manufacturers in the field this weekend.

Off-track excitement also guaranteed

The Le Mans weekend is famous for its festival atmosphere, attractions and friendly paddock, and 2017 will be no exception.

A host of great family amusements and stunts will be available to see including fireworks, a fan zone and DJ music sets.

Supporting the FIA ETRC will also be the French and British Truck Racing Championships which will have two races each throughout the Saturday and Sunday.

What happened last year?

Race 1 winner: Jochen Hahn

Race 2 winner: Steffi Halm

Race 3 winner: Jochen Hahn

Race 4 winner: Steffi Halm

Follow the action

Check out all the action live at our special Race Centre with live timing and text commentary HERE.