Fórmula Truck

Fórmula Truck is a Brazilian Truck racing series. It ran from 1996 to 2017, when it folded and was reorganized into the Copa Truck. However, the series returned to its original name and format in 2021.

History

The idea for the racing series came from discussions between Aurélio Batista Félix, a truck driver from Santos, and Portuguese journalist Francisco Santos.

The first race took place on 6 September 1987 at the Autodromo Internacional de Cascavel circuit in Paraná. The contest involved 35 competitors, and was named ''I Copa Brasil de Caminhões'' ("First Brazilian Trucks' Cup"). It served as a trial contest to ascertain the safety of the new type of racing. However, there was a fatal accident involving one of the participants; Jeferson Ribeiro da Fonseca, a driver who was also the president of Autodromo Internacional de Cascavel. Jeferson Ribeiro's death had a profound impact and led to Francisco Santos leaving Fórmula Truck three years later.

In 1994, a new event for truck drivers and businessmen was created, with safety a top priority, at the Interlagos circuit in São Paulo. The contest begun in 1995, with the four trial races held in the cities of Cascavel and Londrina (PR), Tarumã (RS) and Goiânia (GO). In Goiânia, over 120,000 people attended the event.

The first championship with defined rules took place in 1996, and was approved by the Confederação Brasileira de Automobilismo (Brazilian Automobile Confederation). The first official competition took place in Guaporé (RS), and had 13 trucks on the grid.

Renato Martins (#9), first champion of the category in 1996.
2006 in Curitiba.
On 5 March 2008, the creator of Formula Truck, Aurélio Batista Félix, died of a stomach haemorrhage. He had heart problems and suffered a heart attack during the first stage of the 2008 season, which was being held in Guaporé.

In 2010, the organisation announced a South American championship, and Roberval Andrade was crowned champion. In 2011, three races were announced for the South American Championship.

Organization

The qualifying session that decides the starting grid is held the Saturday before the race. Each driver can have a warm-up lap, three timed laps and a slowdown lap. If he gives up his back, he is entitled to a single attempt at the end of training.

In Formula Truck the number of laps varies between 30 and 35, it is depending on the length of the track and the conditions of the racetrack. During the Ceará race, which was included in 2006, the number of laps was 60, due to the length of the track. The laps completed with a pace truck are not counted as valid. In restarts, pairing of the trucks is stopped and overtaking is allowed only after the checkered flag, or when the green light is lit.

''Pace Truck'' of 2006 championship.
In 2006, when the 12th lap is valid, the pilots will receive a chequered flag in green and yellow, which scores the first five places. At this point, the trail enters the Pace Truck, which neutralises the race for cleaning and removal of vehicles on the track, remaining for three to five laps. After restart, trucks complete the preset number of laps and make the podium in accordance with their respective classification in the race, less time penalties, if applicable.

The trucks have enough power to exceed 200 km/h, but at one point in the circuit there is a speed limit of 160 km/h, to ensure sufficient safety. Adherence to this safety limit is monitored with the help of radars installed at varied points around the track.

Scoring System

Champions

Brazilian

South American

End

In 2017, several teams left the organisation to create a new championship called Copa Truck. After two rounds of the 2017 season, the lack of audience, partners and drivers forced the postponement of the third race twice. After that, it was announced via the organisation's website that the 2017 season was cancelled and that they would attempt to return in 2018.

Finally, in November 2020 it was announced that Formula Truck would return under new management for the 2021 season.

References

External links

Official website of the Fórmula Truck
(in Portuguese) -

{{DEFAULTSORT:Formula Truck

1996 establishments in Brazil
2017 disestablishments in Brazil