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News page
25 May 2002
Strong showing from
Castrol drivers in Italy: Podium for Oliver – Rymer collects his first points
The second round of the 2002 FIA European Truck Racing
Cup saw impressive performances from the Castrol-supported Stuart Oliver and Terry
Rymer – with both drivers finishing in the points in all four races during
the weekend in Italy (May 25/26).
In Saturday’s practice Oliver set fourth fastest time – to line up on
row two behind ‘pole’ position man Noel Crozier (MAN) and Castrol Austria-backed
Egon Allgauer (MAN). Rymer was still unhappy with the performance of his machine
and lined up back on row four – some four seconds off the pace.
In Saturday’s Qualifying race Allgauer set the early pace to hold off Crozier
at the front of the field. But the Frenchman moved ahead mid-race and went on
to win while Allgauer fell back to fourth after a short trip through the gravel
traps! Stuart Oliver was charging hard – running a close third to Lutz Bernau
(MAN) for the first three laps. But the British driver then came under pressure
from Jochen Hahn (Mercedes) and while battling for position touched a couple ocorner
marker posts – resulting in a Stop & Go penalty which dropped him down
the order, to finally be classified 8th.
After a strong start Terry Rymer was engaged in a battle for sixth with the Czech
driver Frankie Vojtisek (Renault) and the Foden of Ross Garrett. At the finishing
line the Castrol Team Atkins MAN was splitting this pair – but Rymer also
was penalised for running wide and touching cones and with 10 seconds added to
his race time was finally classified 7th.
The Saturday Cup race saw a good start Lutz Bernau blasting his MAN ahead at the
first corner with Crozier in hot pursuit. Rymer had been battling well in the
early laps with Hahn’s Mercedes – but finally had to watch the German
pull away as his engine temperature soared in the Italian sunshine. After Oliver’s
compulsory stop it was Rymer who moved ahead on the track to inherit an encouraging
fifth.
“The truck is performing much better than in Spain – but when I’m
pushing hard the engine is getting too hot and losing power. When it’s got
no response it’s impossible to fight for position – but I’m sure
we’ll get it sorted for Sunday!” said Terry.
Sunday’s practice saw Bernau securing ‘pole’ ahead of Crozier with
Hahn and Oliver lining up on the second row, just 0.5 secs splitting the four.
Allgauer was fifth fastest with Rymer sixth – although his time was still
two seconds off the pace-setters.
Some late evening efforts by Castrol Team Atkins saw the overheating problems
of the previous day overcome – and with improved throttle response Rymer
was enjoying a race-long battle with Vojtisek’s Renault. Despite the best
efforts of the experienced Czech driver it was Rymer who emerged ahead by 1.1
seconds to take a well deserved fifth.
Rymer, after collecting points in all four races, was also pleased with the progress
Castrol Team Atkins had made during the weekend. “I didn’t expect to
be running at the front in the first few events – but it’s good to be
getting into the top six already and we’ve still got a lot more to come from
the truck. We had some problems on Saturday – but the team cured the overheating
and the throttle response was much better on Sunday making it easier to drive
in close company.”
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