Friday, August 17 2012

Snetterton circuit is gearing up for its first ever Truck Superprix this Bank Holiday weekend (26-27 August). The Delphi British Truck Racing Championship will stage four races on the full-length 300 circuit, and the series follows the FIA British Kart Grand Prix as a second major new event to race on the transformed venue.

Championship contenders Matt Summerfield and David Jenkins joined local driver Jim Bennett at Snetterton yesterday (Thursday) for a chance to sample the Norfolk circuit. Taking to their 1,000bhp racing trucks, they were hitting 100mph on the Senna and Bentley straights, and even managed a few spectacular slides around the new infield section and the fearsome Coram curve too!

"It's invaluable to come and have a bit of a look round the track," commented championship leader Summerfield. "I've been round here a few years ago, as part of Modified Live, but the new 300 circuit wasn't there then. There's a lot to see in the new complex, which can be seen from the revised viewing banks, but I think there's going to be a lot of enjoyment as they're coming through under the bridge at the end of the Bentley Straight, into the braking zone, then heading out of there. I think there could be a lot of action there if the trucks are running close together and they are fighting for the position and trying to get through the corner - there's only one truck that's going to go through!"

Despite their fierce rivalry on track, both contenders were united in praise for the Snetterton 300. "It's going to be very good," agreed reigning champion Jenkins. "The more you get to know the track the more rewarding it seems to be to drive. I'm sure the racing round here is going to be fantastic and I just urge the crowd to come early to get the best vantage point!"

Despite being a senior figure in the paddock, Jim Bennett from nearby Bungay is relatively new to racing: "I actually did my ARDS test here four years ago, before truck racing, just as I turned 60, and I started racing the next year in trucks. I don't think I'll have an advantage over the others here! My hopes for the weekend are to have a successful weekend and survive!" Unlike the other two, Bennett races in Division 2 for lower-powered trucks and both classes have their own race before the two are combined for the final two encounters.

The action starts at 1:00pm on Sunday 26 August, and the day ends with the first truck race for Division 2. Main race day is the Bank Holiday Monday and there will also be support races from Clubmans, Sports 2000, MaX 5 and Honda V-Tec series. A display of show trucks will also provide plenty of colour for the event.

Tickets for the Truck Superprix on the Snetterton 300 on 26-27 August are available on the gate on Saturday for £13 and on Sunday for £21, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0843 453 9000 or click here.