Neil Tressler is still on a high following a spectacular weekend at Brands Hatch, when the 2013 Pickup Truck Racing Championship ran as part of the support bill for the prestigious American Speedfest – powered by Chevrolet event (8-9 June).
A bumper crowd of approximately 20,000 spectators turned out for what promised to be a spectacular weekend of all-American race action, headlined by the Euro Racecar NASCAR Touring Series.
It was the second time this season that Tressler and his Pickup Truck Racing counterparts have visited Brands Hatch and, having already challenged for a top four finish at the Kent track earlier this year, the Warwickshire-based driver was keen to delight the large crowd by taking the fight to the established leaders once again.
Front-row starts for both races provided Tressler with the perfect opportunity to achieve big results. In the first of two races, a lightning getaway from second on the grid saw him surge into the lead as the field dipped down Paddock Hill Bend for the first time.
Tressler stubbornly held the initiative out front for the first few tours of Brands Hatch’s short 1.22-mile Indy circuit but eventually succumbed to immense pressure from behind.
The Relssert Racing driver was in the midst of an intense fight involving several trucks that lasted the duration of the race and received the chequered flag satisfied with a seventh place finish.
Another decent start in race two saw Tressler maintain position in second place during the opening stages. The Warwickshire racer used everything in his armoury to attack for the lead but lost ground as the laps wore on to cross the line in a solid eighth place.
“The American Speedfest certainly lived up to my expectations because, not only did I achieve a brace of solid top ten finishes to improve my championship position, but the atmosphere created by the large crowd was phenomenal,” said an enthused Tressler.
“Spectators lined the track and people were so enthusiastic – I’m already looking forward to being part of next year’s event. The races were both very exciting. Several trucks ran nose-to-tail in the first race and it was a privilege to lead the opening laps. I tried various lines in a bid to take first place in race two, but was backed into the chasing pack and subsequently lost positions. But I’m delighted with the results – I think we demonstrated that we've made progress since the start of the season and I'll go into the next round in a positive frame of mind.”
The 2013 Pickup Truck Racing season says bon voyage to the UK for the time being, as France’s historic Magny Cours circuit prepares to host Rounds 9 and 10 of the championship (29-30 June).
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