| TOP NEWS :: E-truck in China :: |
British Truck Racing drivers Stuart Oliver, Ben Horne and Dave Ball joined Swedish driver Mikael Johansson and Russian Mikhail Konovalov at the finals of the China Truck Racing Championships held in the beautiful coastal city of Beihai, China on the 3rd January.
The drivers flew out to Beijing with Chris Jones on the 27th December and spent eleven days as guests of the China Truck Racing Association. The invitation was part of an ongoing co-operation between China and Europe to develop truck racing in China and to prepare for a Chinese presence in Europe.
From Beijing the European drivers took a 4 hour flight south to the coastal city of Beihai where they were amazed to see giant billboards promoting the event with their photographs on!
Chinese truck racing is different from European in so far as drivers compete in identical Foton trucks on a slalom circuit against the clock. The Championship races take place in cities across China. The Chinese drivers are very experienced in this kind of racing and proved to be tough competition for the European drivers. However, the driving skill of the European racers was demonstrated in stunt presentations in front of large crowds and shown on Chinese national television.
In the days leading up to the racing on the 3rd January the European drivers were interviewed by the Chinese media and were treated as celebrities. The trucks paraded through the city stopping in the city centre pedestrian area where the press and television were waiting. Truck Racing in China is a major media event as it’s televised live on CCTV5 to over 12 million viewers.
The European drivers were split into two teams – Team Oliver: Oliver, Ball, Horne and Team Odin: Johansson, Konovalov, Jones. During qualification the teams competed against Chinese teams, in addition to drivers competing individually.
The finals were preceded by a demonstration of truck stunt driving by the European drivers that thrilled the spectators. The racing took place on a course marked out on a wide roadway leading to the railway station.
Racing was frantic with the European and Chinese drivers competing to win. Although the European drivers had little opportunity to practice, their eventual times were very close to the Chinese winners.
The following day the drivers visited the Foton dealership in Naning where they had the chance to drive the Foton truck for the first time. Later, they were guests of honour at a press conference and dinner.
Once back in Beijing the drivers were given a whistle stop tour of the city including Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, The Summer Palace and The Great Wall.
All the drivers agreed it was a fantastic experience and wish to thank China Truck Racing Association, Foton and all who looked after them in China.
It is hoped that the relationship between China Truck Racing and Europe will strengthen the co-operation and enable more drivers to participate in the future.
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