Truck Racing

Truck racing is a unique new phenomenon to the traditional car racing that most people are used to. The race is more of fun for family day out events and can be very interesting. The drivers are not afraid of crashing into each other as they power slide around the circuit at excessive speeds topping well over 100Mph.

       



History

The history of truck racing dates back to 1979 with the face race on 17th June at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, USA. The inaugural race coincided with the release of the movie Smokey and the Bandit II which really helped to popularise the sport. At the time the sport was a sanctioned sport which meant that there were strict rules and places the race would be conducted and this was mainly on dirt and paved ovals.
By 1982, the sport has gained popularity and it was sold from American Truck Racing Association (ATRA) to Linn Hennershott to become the Great American truck Racing circuit and moved from using work trucks as was before with normal road tyres to specialised trucks modified to meet the racing requirements. This included lowered body suspensions, doing away with tag axle therefore shedding off great deal of weight that helped in reaching top speeds.

The popularity of the race grew and caught attention from other interested parties outside of the USA and UK has not been left out. Most races are conducted in individual countries but the sport has come under the control of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to make sure safety standards are being adhered to as well conforming to the laid out standards.


Race Drivers

All race drivers are obligated to hold a race license that is issued by the Motor Sports Association in the case of the UK or the appointed motor sport body in participating countries. The race licenses are renewed every 3 years.

Type of Trucks

There are two major classifications to the racing trucks these are for trucks with sophisticated engine management systems such as suspension, braking systems and many other latest truck technologies that influence a race will compete separately to the ones with no sophistication.

Major Race Truck Manufactures

Most of the truck manufactures that offer commercial service have participated in the design and construction race trucks. This is an area that is drawing a lot of interest and those that are already into it are beginning to make headway in improving the technology to truck racing.

The list below is not conclusive, but can give an indication on the seriousness of manufacturers to be part of this.

ERF Edwin Foden, Sons & Co. Freightliner Trucks Iveco MAN SE Mercedes-Benz Renault Trucks Scammell Scania AB Seddon Atkinson Sisu Auto Race Calendar Brands Hatch Pembrey Thruxton Donington Silverstone Snetterton Pembrey Brands Hatch 6th May – 6:23pm 17th June – 6:23pm 15th July – 6:23pm 19th August – 6:23pm 9th September – 6:23pm 4th October – 6:23pm 11th November – 6:23pm 9th December – 6:23pm

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Volvo ZiL Tata Motors UD Trucks Hino Motors

Current Race Standings

Division 1

1	David Jenkins	44
2	Ryan Smith	39
=	Mat Summerfield	39
3	Stuart Oliver	36
4	Steve Thomas	32
5	Luke Taylor	23
6	Simon Reid	22
7	Ray Coleman	19
8	Frans Smit	10
9	Richard Collett	4

Division 2

1	Steve Powell	48
2	Jim Bennett	35
3	Adam Bint	28
=	Brian Burt	28
4	Luke Garrett	26
6	Paul McCumisky	23
7	Joanne Eason	21
8	Wayne Eason	20
9	Andy Lovenberry	9
10	Ryan Colson	7

Video Clip