Pickup Truck Racing | News | Taster Day Creates a Buzz

Several existing teams and lots of interested new drivers/teams arrived at Rockingham early on Sunday morning (20th November) in thick fog for this years pickup truck racing 'Taster Day'. Although the fog did delay the start of the track day operated by Book-a-Track it didn't dampen the enthusiasm of everyone who attended the event.

Seven pickup trucks were present including Paul Jones, a new driver for 2012 and returnee Julian 'Arnie' Arnold. Many of these teams installed an additional seat into their truck to provide passenger rides as a thank you to team members and sponsors as well as taking the presenters from the camera crew who were present from www.overdrive-uk.com for a few hot laps of the international long circuit at Rockingham.

Several team members even had a go at driving the very truck that they have been lovingly caring for all season and you may recall this is what Nick White had done last year in his dads (Phil White) truck which resulted in him getting his own truck and joining the grid this season just gone!

ROGERS RACING and JFF Motorsport kindly loaned their trucks for potential new drivers to sample driving a race truck for themselves in a view to finding out more about the championship.

Not only did the day provide these drivers the opportunity to experience the thrill of driving these unique racing machines but it also allowed them to chat with the existing teams, the championship director Sonny Howard, championship co-ordinator Barbara and chief scrutineer Chris Baker about the series to ask any questions they may of had.

The feedback from these drivers has been really encouraging as the majority are already talking about options for drives for 2012 (either single rounds or a full season). One driver, having been handed the provisional 2012 race dates, has already made it very clear that he would like first refusal on the JFF Motorsport hire truck for the Donington event!

The 'Taster Day' format is a great chance for 'recently absent' team members and drivers to get back involved in the championship and this was highlighted when former driver Karl Turner attended the event and is now in discussions to return to the series in 2012 for a possible commitment to the oval rounds at Rockingham and maybe some circuit events!

As mentioned above, the event was also attended by the film crew from Overdrive-UK who will be putting together a web based program showing some on-board and on-track footage of the pickup trucks as well as interviews with the drivers and the management team.

Sonny Howard stated he was impressed with how professionally the day was organised, with a fixed agenda and adhering to safety being paramount while still having the feel of a relaxed fun day.

The attendees were able to find a balance of exploiting their own skills and gaining an understanding of the Mechanics of the Pickup.

He found it interesting to see the passengers enjoying themselves as well as the drivers and a queue growing as the day progressed and more wanted to share the experience.

Wearing his talent spotting hat, Sonny was deep in conversation with some of the drivers. The question is who will be seen competing in 2012?

Finally and in support of the day and the current Children In Need appeal, Claire and her team at The Chocolate Pizza Company (www.thechocolatepizzacompany.co.uk) kindly provided a unique 'Pudsey' chocolate pizza as a prize to win in the TASTER DAY 'TASTY DRAW' and thanks to the generosity of everyone who attended the awards night as well as the 'Taster Day', the draw raised an amazing £360 which will now be sent to the Children In Need appeal. The pizza was won by a 'delighted' Janice Cooper who was at Rockingham supporting her daughter who was using one of the 'Taster' trucks.