ETRC: Zolder is next as Kiss’ march toward the title continues
Circuit Zolder is the next stop for Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship in the traditionally tightly-scheduled second part of the season.
Heading to Belgium, Norbert Kiss enjoys a comfortable 60-point cushion over his closest challenger, Jochen Hahn. This is the result of the Hungarian’s stellar run so far this season, which has resulted in the reigning champion taking 11 wins from 19 race starts.
Behind Kiss’ back, Hahn and his compatriot Sascha Lenz will continue their fight for second overall at the end of the season, with only 13 points between the two.
Adam Lacko failed to triumph on home ground last time out at Autodrom Most and will looking to bounce back this weekend.
T Sport Bernau driver Antonio Albacete is another driver arriving to Belgium on the back of a troublesome weekend in Czechia, where his outing was compromised by technical issues.
The likes of Steffi Halm and André Kursim who were caught up in incidents at Most will be looking to stay out of trouble and get some solid points on board.
FOCUS IS CRITICAL
Circuit Zolder is arguably one of the biggest challenges on the calendar, both for the drivers and their trucks. The start/stop nature of the track, featuring several chicanes, makes it the hardest circuit of the year on brakes.
On top of this, the layout not only demands from the trucks to slow down efficiently, but also to gather speed as quickly as possible, with good traction at corner exits essential to achieving good lap times.
Six-time FIA ETRC titlist, Hahn, has traditionally been going strong at Zolder and holds the venue in high regard.
"Zolder is one of my favourite tracks," admits the German. “As we get closer towards the end of the year, the temperatures drop down and there’s less traction available. Focus is critical here" he summarises.