Hot Trucking Action under the Scorching Welsh Sun
The next round of the British Truck Racing Championship roared into the Pembrey Circuit this past weekend, accompanied by stunning weather and an electric atmosphere, with crowds of people turning out for the action and excitement of a whole weekend’s worth of thrilling racing.
Pembrey Race Report: British Truck Racing Championship, May 18-19, 2024
The next round of the British Truck Racing Championship roared into the Pembrey Circuit this past weekend, accompanied by stunning weather and an electric atmosphere, with crowds of people turning out for the action and excitement of a whole weekend’s worth of thrilling racing.
The weekend saw MV Truck Racing’s new Navistar truck making only its second competitive appearance, adding an extra layer of excitement, especially following heartbreak at Brands Harch over the Easter Weekend.
With the team had high hopes, despite the truck feeling a bit sluggish out of the corners.
During qualification, the Navistar managed to secure a respectable 7th place start. However, the team was less than satisfied with the truck's performance, noting issues with sluggishness exiting corners that they hoped to address before the races.
This sluggishness was exacerbated on Saturday's first race as a rollercoaster of emotions came over the team. The Navistar showed initial promise, but hopes were dashed with a DNF (Did Not Finish) on the 11th lap due to ECU problems. The team was left frustrated as the potential for a strong finish slipped away. The ECU issues persisted into Race 2, resulting in a DNS (Did Not Start). However, the team's fortunes began to turn when Adam Bint, a friend and ally, stepped in. Bint's expertise was invaluable as he worked with the team through the night, meticulously tracking down the wiring issues and getting the ECU back in working order, setting the stage for a more promising Sunday.
Sunday kicked off with a dramatic Race 3. The Navistar had a blazing start, but the notorious first hairpin of the circuit claimed its toll early, leading to a chaotic restart. Despite the setback, the Navistar was on fire, battling up to 4th place before a spin dropped it back. Impressively, it still clocked the 3rd fastest lap of the race, showcasing its raw speed and potential of the thunderous engine.
Race 4 saw the Navistar starting from 8th on the grid. The truck demonstrated its competitive edge, slicing through the field to finish 6th. The race was incredibly tight, with less than 9 seconds separating the entire pack. The Navistar's consistent performance was highlighted by securing the 3rd fastest lap once again, narrowly missing out on overtaking Michael Oliver in the final stages.
In the final showdown of the weekend, the Navistar started 6th. The race turned into a thrilling duel with David Smith, with both drivers swapping positions multiple times while clearing the front of the Division 2 pack. In a nail-biting finish, the Navistar edged out Smith for 5th place just before the chequered flag. The race was marked by a significant 20-second gap between the leading trio and the rest of the field, underscoring the fierce competition.
The weekend was not without its share of what-ifs. Saturday brought some rain, conditions in which Tom excels at Pembrey, but the Navistar missed out on capitalizing due to the mechanical issues. The weekend was a testament to the highs and lows of racing, with the Navistar team showing resilience and promise as they look ahead to future battles at the next round of the British Truck Racing Championship at Thruxton in July.
Catch up on all the action from Pembrey here.
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