Two intense races each from the British Truck Racing Championship and the inaugural International Truck Prix topped the bill on the first day of Convoy in the Park at Donington today (Saturday 12 August).
Reigning BTRC champion Ryan Smith continued his sparkling form in the championship by converting a double pole position into a double win in his Daimler Freightliner 12000. In the first race, Smith’s nearest challenger, Stuart Oliver, finished nearly four seconds behind with a further half second back to the final podium finisher of David Jenkins.
In the second contest, Oliver pushed Smith closer, tracking him for the whole race and finishing just 1.894s behind. The top two were in a class of their own with Bradley Smith holding on to third place by 0.201s from Simon Reid but both were over 10 seconds adrift of Smith.
The first ever International Truck Prix was won by Jamie Anderson in a MAN TGX with John Newell just 0.636s back after a close fight between the two. The race was started in adverse conditions and was red-flagged on the first lap but once action restarted, Anderson and Newell pulled away from the rest to finish over 15 seconds clear of third-placed Mark Taylor.
Anderson took the honours once again in the second race with a much more commanding performance. He finished just under four seconds ahead of runner-up Martin Gibson and nearly 10 seconds back to third-placed John Newell, following a penalty for Ray Coleman, who finished third on the road.
The busy race schedule also included action from the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, MG Owners Club, Intermarque Silhouette Series and CNC Heads Championship. Full results from all the day's racing can be found here.
The HGV festival continued off-track with hundreds of show trucks packing the infield. There was plenty of entertainment at the Live Action Arena including Drift Trucks, F1 Stock Cars and stunt shows which thrilled crowds as did the live music at the Main Stage all through the day and into the night.
Convoy in the Park continues tomorrow (Sunday 13 August) with three BTRC races and two more International Truck Prix contests. There’s loads more racing action and a packed schedule at both the Live Action Arena and Main Stage.
Tickets are available on the gate on Sunday at £32 for adults with reductions for 13-15-year-olds and senior citizens. Under-13s get in for free. For more information, click here.