Triple Chrome Class Victory Rocket-Boosts Taylor Into Championship Lead!

Round 2 of the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC) took the paddock to the longest, most gruelling circuit on the 2026 calendar: the immense 5.922-kilometre Slovakia Ring. With 14 highly technical corners, heavy braking zones, and soaring track temperatures testing our 5.3-tonne MAN TGX (#81) to its absolute limits, the team faced a titanic task to bounce back from a challenging season opener at Misano.

Coming into the weekend sitting fifth in the standings, the team pulled off an unbelievable turnaround. From dialling in the truck’s set-up after a tough start to sweeping up silver and gold across the weekend, the team’s relentless effort transformed our season in spectacular fashion.

🏁 Saturday: The Perfect Set-Up Turnaround

The weekend did not start as smoothly as we had hoped. Early Friday sessions left us searching for pace on the punishing Slovakian tarmac. However, Mark and the engineering crew worked long into the night, fine-tuning the steering geometry and suspension dynamics. The reward was instant: Mark flew out of the blocks on Saturday morning, clocking the fastest time in Chrome Class Free Practice 2 to set the tone for the rest of the weekend.

When the lights went green for Race 1, Mark delivered an absolute masterclass in defensive driving. Engaged in a relentless, bumper-to-bumper duel with Titan Class competitor José Eduardo Rodrigues, Mark held his line beautifully on his sustainable Goodyear tyres. Though Rodrigues squeezed past at the very final corner after a fierce, paint-trading battle, Mark crossed the finish line a mere 0.193 seconds behind him. The reward? A stunning fifth place overall and a dominant first Chrome Class victory of the weekend.

Race 2 raised the stakes even higher. Starting from the partially reversed grid, Mark kept his cool amidst a chaotic pack. Despite minor contact with Sascha Lenz as five trucks tried to occupy the same piece of tarmac, Mark kept his head down, ran smooth lines, and comfortably managed his pace to secure his second consecutive Chrome Class victory, putting the rest of the field on notice.

Mark Taylor: “Race 1 was a good race and I kept my pace, things went well, and the truck was going fine. Race 2 completed a good turnaround. I tried to keep it clean, I had a little contact with Sascha but that’s it, it was nice and smooth and I kept my head down.”

🔧 Sunday: A Grandstand Finish & Overall Silver

Sunday brought even hotter track temperatures and an even fiercer battle in the Chrome category. Race 3 saw British rival Bradley Smith enjoy a strong run, but Mark drove a calculated race to bring the #81 home safely in second place in Chrome (seventh overall), maximising our points haul while preserving the brakes and tyres for the weekend’s grand finale.

Race 4 will go down as one of the most thrilling races of the 2026 season. Starting third on the grid, Mark read the lights perfectly and made it a spectacular three-wide charge down into Turn 1, squeezing between pole-sitter Luke Garrett and René Reinert. In a brilliant display of track craftsmanship, Mark slid into second place before executing a clinical overtake before the end of the opening lap to lead the entire field!

With clear air ahead, Mark drove the wheels off the MAN TGX, pulling out a massive gap. Outright championship leader Norbert Kiss was charging hard from eighth on the grid, but Mark matched him sector for sector. With just two laps to go, the heat was cooking everything, and Kiss closed the gap. In a desperate bid to defend his lead on the final lap, Mark locked his brakes slightly just a handful of corners from home, allowing Kiss to slip through by less than a second.

Though a maiden outright victory was agonisingly close, Mark crossed the line second overall and secured his third Chrome Class trophy of the weekend—a sensational result that officially rocketed Mark Taylor Racing back into the Chrome Class Championship lead!

Mark Taylor: “Overall, it’s good, a good end to a great weekend. Luke left the door open for me, it gave me the opportunity to get in front and make a run for it and that’s what I did. I saw Norbi and Steffi fighting and we were good until the last lap. I defended Norbi a little bit too early and had a slight lock-up. But all in all, I’m pleased.”

Weekend Stats Summary

Chrome Class Highlights & Championship Standings

With three class wins and a brilliant runner-up position, Mark Taylor Racing secured a massive haul of points over the weekend. Thanks to this dominant bounce-back performance, we leave Central Europe with a narrow but crucial three-point cushion at the top of the leaderboard!

Provisional Chrome Class Leaderboard (After Round 2)

1. 🇬🇧 Mark Taylor (MAN) – 1st Place (Championship Leader)

2. 🇩🇪 Steffen Faas (Freightliner)

3. 🇬🇧 Bradley Smith (MAN)

4. 🇬🇧 Luke Garrett (MAN)

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Fans and Sponsors

“We as a team are so incredibly grateful for the love and support you, our followers, give us! It really doesn’t go unnoticed,” the team shared trackside on Sunday evening. “Also, a massive shoutout to our sponsors! We appreciate all of you. Wishing you a very good evening for the final time from here in Slovakia.”

The turnaround from Friday’s practice struggles to Sunday’s podium celebrations proves exactly what this team is made of. We are packed, reloaded, and ready to carry this incredible championship momentum into Germany. Next stop: the legendary Nürburgring!

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