Two-time title-winner Kiss is set to arrive at the Belgian venue with four wins and 84 points to his name, and a marginal, three-point lead over his closes rival, Germany’s Sascha Lenz.

Both for the drivers and their trucks, the Belgian circuit is one of the biggest challenges on the FIA ETRC calendar. Its start/stop nature, with fast straights and slow chicanes, not only demands the trucks to slow down efficiently but also to gather speed.

The drivers praise the circuit for the adrenaline it gives, while the engineers warn that it is the hardest layout on the brakes.

"Good traction when exciting tight chicanes is essential for achieving good lap times," explains Lenz, driver of the SL Trucksport MAN.

2017 FIA ETRC champion Adam Lacko sits third in the standings, 15 points down on points-leading Kiss. The Czech racer is going strong aboard his proven Freightliner, with five podiums out of seven starts, and seeking his first victory of the season.

Fourth in the standings, with 49 points is Antonio Albacete. The Spanish ace is on a high, having scored his first podium since switching to the T Sport Bernau outfit last time out at Autodrom Most.

The most decorated truck racer of all time, Jochen Hahn (38 points), is currently fifth, and the highest classified Iveco driver. The German likes the layout and traditionally goes strong in Belgium, having won here twice in 2019. "Zolder is one of my favorite tracks," he admits.

"Focus is critical here. As we get closer towards the end of the year the temperatures drop down and there’s less traction available," explains Hahn, who’ll be looking for a change of fortunes and to add some silverware to his trophy cabinet this weekend.

The action is set to kick off on Saturday, with a qualifying session and two races planned for each of the two days.

For more information visit the official FIA ETRC website.