With trucks weighing in at more than five tonnes and with engines producing in excess of 1000bhp, the British Truck Racing Championship is one of the largest sized motorsport categories in the UK – and is growing in popularity with ever more teams and spectators turning out on race day.
However, one significant area of growth at this year’s championship, which visits circuits such as Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Thruxton, Pembrey and Snetterton, is the increased focus on sustainability.
This season, the BTRC has partnered with provider of high-performance HVO fuel, Green Biofuels (GBF), which means every driver is provided with the fuel at each round, greatly reducing the championship’s overall carbon footprint.
The move encapsulates Motorsport UK’s sustainability strategy laid out in 2021, which commits to reducing the emissions of motorsport across the United Kingdom.
Offering a simple, and clean alternative to diesel, GBF’s advanced Gd+ fuel – which will be used by all competitors in the BTRC – is made from 100% waste-derived cooking oils and fats and supercharged with an engine-enhancing additive.
Designed as a straightforward diesel replacement, the fuel is the least carbon-emitting diesel replacement fuel available in the UK, saving 2.82kg or 90% CO2e per litre. Gd+ can be used in existing diesel engines without upgrading machinery.
Steve Thomas, Truck Sport UK Director, said: “As one of the premier motorsport series in the UK it is only right that we stand up and make an impact in the correct way.
“Carving out a sustainable pathway is pivotal for the future of the sport and I’m delighted that we are able to introduce a new cleaner fuel from this season onwards. This is just the first step in our sustainability plans and we’re looking forward to growing this relationship over the coming years.”
MAN Truck & Bus UK have a partnership agreement for the 2023 BTRC and can offer UK race teams a factory-prepared and fully supported race engine that can reliably produce 1,200 horsepower and 5,000 newton meters.
Stefan Thyssen, Managing Director, MAN Truck & Bus UK, said requiring all competing teams to run on 100% HVO fuel means British truck racing has taken a giant step forward for both the championship and motorsport in general.
“This move to HVO fuel is something close to our hearts as all MAN Truck engines, since the introduction of Euro 6C technology in 2017, can operate on 100% HVO or a blended mix, and in doing so can save up to 90% CO2”, he added.
“These high-performance engines, like those found in our MAN road-going trucks, can easily and reliably run on clean HVO fuel.
“In doing so we can demonstrate a real and meaningful reduction in vehicle emissions and make the necessary transition to a long-term sustainable solution, addressing important topics such as sustainability and social responsibility.”
Building on a partnership forged last year, Giti Tyre has once again provided all Division 1 and Division 2 competitors with rubber for the 2023 campaign.
All trucks run the Giti Race-Tuned V1 global competition truck compound in sizes 315/70R22.5 and Giti’s race support team attends each event to assist teams and drivers with everything from fitting to advice.
Martin Gibson, Giti Tire European Test Manager, said: “We monitor the race tires very closely and feed information back to R&D, which helps us further develop our commercial tyres. The BTRC is a proving ground like no other and is something worth learning from.
“As a company we have an environmental responsibility so we are also working together with Truck Sport UK to research how to reduce the impact of truck racing and develop second life options.”
Totalkare is the BTRC’s official workshop equipment partner for the 2023 race season, which sees it provide a range of vehicle lifts and heavy-duty workshop equipment at all race meetings.
Its logo is also seen on podium backdrops and promotional materials throughout the year.
Steve Braund, Marketing Manager for Totalkare, said: “Over the past few years Totalkare has grown rapidly through the expansion of our product portfolio. We’ve put a lot of effort into increasing brand awareness of the business and see our new partnership with BTRC as a logical next step in building on this strategy.
“There’s a lot of synergy between the brands.”
As official video telematics provider, provider of AI video telematics and connected fleet data VisionTrack delivers vehicle cameras for all competing trucks in Division 1 and Division 2.
VisionTrack uses a three-channel system, utilising forward-facing, rear-view and in-cab cameras, so race officials can access a substream feed that downloads footage within seconds to speed-up in-race investigations.
This works alongside livestream video from each truck that assists with the management of on/off track race compliance, while HD video is also available during and post-race for livestream broadcasting, media clips and a TV highlights programme.
The technology gives officials a system that puts them in control of what footage they want and allows them to quickly assess on track incidents.
In addition, Dean Leonard, Vice President of Technical Services at VisionTrack, is on-hand throughout the competition to support the judicial team within race control and ensure they can access the video and data they require.
He said: “Our advanced camera solution is again helping Truck Sport UK to maintain the highest levels of race safety, while providing action-packed content that will attract new fans to this exciting motorsport.”
As the UK’s largest range of All Makes Truck and Trailer Parts, Lubricants and Consumables, TRP continues to be the official parts provider for the 2023 season and also supplies a Pace Truck.
Meanwhile, MV Commercial Group – which includes bespoke truck supplier MV Commercial and its sister company Fruehauf, which manufactures tipping trailers – also renewed its long-standing partnership for the 2023 season.
Headed up by Division 1 competitor Tom O’Rourke, and MV Commercial CEO, this year will mark the fourth consecutive season that the two parties have aligned together.
Steve Cairns, MV Commercial Group Managing Director, said: “At the MV Commercial Group we’re proud to support a championship that puts the truck, the backbone of many of the UK’s industries, front and centre, while at the same time giving fans of trucking itself something unique and thrilling to watch and enjoy.”
