Hard work!

A good set-up is half the battle. Of course, it’s not quite that easy when it comes to becoming the European Truck Trial champion. Nevertheless, ongoing work on the truck plays an important role.

Marc Stegmaier and Jan Plieninger from the BFS Trucksport Team decided on their MAN in 2012. Today, the MAN TGS 33.480 6×6 is still the same series vehicle that once rolled off the production line – after all, only series vehicles can take part in the Truck Trial according to the rules – but it has undergone a large number of modifications: over the years, the team has increasingly adapted it to the requirements of the Truck Trial.

“When we took part in the first few races, the vehicle had only undergone minimal conversions; this meant that we were able to start the Truck Trial and meet the rules. Then, after essentially every race we discovered that we had to optimise something,” driver Marc describes their early days in the series. “Our first bumper was so deep and low that we got stuck all over the place, and the first tyres were also terrible,” confirms co-driver Jan.

“We were aware that it would take four to five years until we had a vehicle that could win the European championship.”

Jan Plieninger

There was a whole lot of work to be done: units such as the tank, the compressed-air tank and batteries were placed above the frame so that they could not be torn off during races, leaf springs were removed in order to make the vehicle run smoother off road and the perfect tyre tread had to be found.

“It’s not like in other sports where you can practise in advance to get really good. The conditions you are faced with at the competition sites in Europe are too varied for this.”

Marc Stegmaier

And mental strength? That’s also no problem for the team that has now won the European championship twice. However, it also took time to establish the team to this level. The teams have to repeatedly re-adapt to the various terrains and the ever-changing gates in the sections, he adds. Essentially, you train during the race. “Even when we already know the terrain, the next race has a different course. This means that you have to get used to things again with the vehicle each time,” states Jan from experience.

Of course, in the new season, the team would like to tackle the challenge of winning their third title. The two that they already have under their belts give them the confidence that they need. “We are able to feel a bit calmer at the starting line.” This is something that both Marc and Jan agree on. Nevertheless, they cannot allow themselves to lose the concentration and focus they had in previous years. And they have to be able to rely on their truck. It’s certainly reliable – it’s an MAN after all – and the team is extremely well set up when it comes to carrying out work on the truck between the sections.