Oestreich tops points after Donington opener

Two victories from four races at the opening round of the 2011 FIA European Truck Racing Championship at Donington Park last weekend was enough to hand German Markus Oestreich the early points lead.

Oestreich began the weekend with a regulation victory in the first race, leading from lights-to-flag to triumph in his Renault ahead of MAN drivers Antonio Albacete and Uwe Nittel and repeated the trick in race three on Sunday as Jochen Hahn (MAN) and Albacete completed the podium.

In race 2, the first of the weekend’s two partly reversed grid races, Oestreich wasn’t able to make as much progress, finishing where he started in eighth, but he was on the podium again in the weekend’s final thrash, finishing third behind Hahn and Nittel.

Albacete was the weekend’s other winner, triumphing in race 2 ahead of Adam Lacko (Renault) and Nittel, but he only lies third in the points after Nittel’s strong weekend which only saw him miss the podium in race 3, where he finished fourth.

Hahn is fourth in the early standings as he recovered from a disappointing first day which included a retirement and a sixth place finish, with a win and a podium on Sunday.

The best of the British drivers on home soil was Mathew Summerfield (MAN), who left the opening round inside the top ten overall after a consistent weekend which included a best result of fifth in race 2. Stuart Oliver (MAN) managed three top ten finishes but also posted a retirement.

FIA European Truck Racing Championship

Championship Standings (after 1 round)

1 Markus Oestreich, 51pts
2 Uwe Nittel, 39
3 Antonio Albacete, 37
4 Jochen Hahn, 30
5 David Vrsecky, 25
6 Markus Bosiger, 19
7 Adam Lacko, 17
8 Christopher Levett, 12
9 Mathew Summerfield, 11
10 Mika Makinen, 9

Next round: 21-22 May, Misano

Watch FIA Truck Racing highlights from Donington this Sunday at 8:30pm (BST) on Motors TV.


Andy Wilkinson

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