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Truck racing is a family affair for Stuart Oliver and his son, Michael, who are gearing up for success in the British Truck Racing Championship. Better known on the race circuit as Team Oliver Racing, the duo will take part in seven events and a total of 43 races this season in a bid to claim the British Truck Racing Championship title.
The competition got off to a fantastic start for the two highly skilled drivers, who picked up five trophies between them, when the season got underway at Brands Hatch in March 2024, putting on a thrilling show for a packed crowd.
Team Oliver Racing will be heading to Pembrey, Thruxton, Donington Park and Snetterton next, before heading to mainland Europe to race at the Le Mans Bugatti circuit in France. The competition is set to conclude at Brands Hatch in November.
We caught up with Former FIA European Truck Racing Champion and 10-time winner of the British Truck Racing Championship, Stuart Oliver, to find out how truck racing became his passion, what it’s like racing alongside his son, Michael, and why they both race with ODYSSEY® batteries onboard their vehicle.
What is truck racing and when did it become a motorsport?
Truck racing arrived in the UK from the US in the early 80s on the back of trucks seen racing in the film “Smokey and the Bandit”. By the mid 80s, British truck racing was very popular, and it then became a recognised motorsport championship activity.
Can you describe the benefits and features of your competition race trucks?
In the early days, race trucks were basically road trucks that were modified to race, so they were fitted with safety cages and high-speed rear axle ratios. The modern-day race truck is very different, with vehicles being specially built for racing, featuring many of the same components fitted to a top specification race car.
Team Oliver races in two trucks, one based on a North American style Volvo® and the other on a European manufactured MAN truck. However, many of the driveline and suspension components that make them special are far from what you would find on a standard road truck.
How fast do British race trucks go?
The top speed of a race truck is governed by the championship regulations to 160kph (100mph).
How did you become so passionate about truck racing and how long have you been competing?
I began following truck racing from the very first truck race event at Donington Park back in 1984 and for many years it was my goal to participate. Eventually, in 1998, I purchased an old semi-standard race truck and carried out many more race modifications. I guess things just progressed on from then. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that racing is about using the best components available and using them to the maximum.
How long have you and Michael been competing together and what’s it like racing alongside your son?
Michael came into truck racing in 2016, driving my old Scania® race truck. Since then, he has developed his racing skills to become a driver who can hold his own out on the track.
How do you prepare for a race? Do you have any good luck mascots or pre-race rituals?
All the race preparation time is mainly spent on getting the trucks and equipment ready for the race weekend. It can be very easy to overthink a situation, so I always find it better to take things as they come. Quite simply, I believe that if the trucks are well prepared, any other variables are generally beyond my control.
In my race truck cab, I have a small fluffy (faded) yellow duck that Michael and his sister, Rebecca, gave to me before my first ever race. It’s been with me during all my races.
What’s been your most memorable race experience so far?
I have many memorable truck race experiences including:
- Winning the FIA European Championship in 2004, which was a standout achievement.
- Winning the British Truck Race Championship 10 times, including in 2004, which was fantastic.
- Going to Deli, India, in 2014 and 2015, to compete against 11 other truck race drivers, all in identical race trucks. Winning all the races at these events was also fantastic.
The main thing is that winning a race still gives me the same buzz as it did back in 1998.
How do you celebrate a win?
I enjoy standing on the podium and reflecting on all the hard work it’s taken to get there.
Finally, tell us why you choose ODYSSEY® batteries to power Team Oliver Racing through every race?
Motor racing, no matter what formula, is all about using the best products to give you the maximum support and input when you need it. I’ve come to find that the ODYSSEY® battery is the best product to service our requirements with excellent performance and reliability.
Team Oliver Racing is one of the many competitive teams to race with ODYSSEY® batteries onboard their vehicle. Engineered with Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) technology, ODYSSEY® batteries can easily handle the high-impact shock and mechanical vibration that comes with the territory in competitive truck racing.
Check out our websites at www.odysseybattery.com and www.eu.odysseybattery.com for the latest ODYSSEY® battery global news and updates.
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