Sunday Double Victory Extends Mark Taylor’s Chrome Championship Lead!
Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic is renowned as one of the most gruelling and technical circuits on the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship calendar. With its notorious opening chicane, heavy braking zones, and unpredictable late-summer weather, it demands absolute precision from both driver and machine. Mark Taylor and the #81 Taylors Trucksport Racing MAN TGX crew arrived in Central Europe ready for a monumental battle as Round 4 marked the official midway point of the 2026 season!
🏁 Saturday: Resilience Through the Rain and Penalties
Saturday began with high drama in Qualifying 1. Mark was flying early on, posting a rapid lap time in the 2.02s range that had the pit garage buzzing. However, track limits proved unforgiving when the #81 clipped a penalty marker, resulting in a lap-time disqualification. Before Mark could assemble another flyer, a sudden rain drizzle swept over the Most circuit, dampening the tarmac and preventing any improved lap times. Forced to line up on Row 7 for Race 1, the team knew they had a massive challenge ahead of them.
When the lights went out for Race 1, Mark launched off the grid, carving his way through heavy traffic into the tight Turn 1 chicane. The racing was ferocious throughout the pack. Despite pushing hard, the stewards handed down a controversial 10-second penalty for allegedly forcing another driver off the track—a decision the team disagreed with, but accepted in true sportsmanlike fashion. Showing tremendous grit, Mark salvaged vital points and secured a fantastic 3rd place finish in the Team Championship alongside teammate Eduardo Rodrigues!
Bouncing back in Race 2 from deep on the grid, Mark put on an overtaking display. Navigating a chaotic mid-pack battle, he manoeuvred the 5.3-tonne MAN TGX through the field to secure 3rd place in the Chrome category, stepping onto the podium! Crossing the line to claim a Chrome P3 finish provided a massive morale boost as the 2026 ETRC season officially hit its halfway milestone.
🔧 Sunday: Double Victory Dominance in Most
With the track dry and the sun shining on Sunday morning, the team hit the ground running for Qualifying 2. Mark delivered a stunning lap, putting the #81 MAN TGX P2 in the Chrome Class and P6 overall, securing a prime Row 3 starting spot.
From the drop of the green flag in Race 3, Mark drove with supreme confidence. Executing a textbook start into Turn 1, he broke away from the chasing pack, managing his Goodyear tyres and water-cooled brakes flawlessly through Most’s high-speed direction changes. Unstoppable from start to finish, Mark stormed across the line to take a brilliant 1st place in Chrome Class!
The momentum carried straight into Race 4. Starting from the third row, Mark launched another aggressive attack. Engaged in an intense, cat-and-mouse duel as the pack bunched up in the closing stages, Mark held his line through every heavy braking zone, keeping his cool under immense pressure. Crossing the chequered flag to complete a sensational Sunday Chrome Class double victory, the team celebrated in style with champagne spraying on the top step of the podium!
| Session | Starting Grid | Finishing Position | Chrome Class Result |
| Race 1 | Row 7 (P14) | P12 Overall | 4th Place |
| Race 2 | Row 7 (P13) | P9 Overall | 🥉 3rd Place |
| Race 3 | Row 3 (P6) | P6 Overall | 🥇 1st Place |
| Race 4 | Row 4 (P8) | P5 Overall | 🥇 1st Place |
Chrome Class Highlights & Current Standings
With two dominant class victories on Sunday and a hard-earned Saturday podium, Mark Taylor leaves Autodrom Most holding firmly onto his lead in the Chrome Class championship. Carrying a 3-point advantage over British rival John Newell heading into Belgium, the title fight is hotter than ever!
Goodyear FIA ETRC Chrome Class Leaderboard (After Round 4 – Most):
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🇬🇧 Mark Taylor (#81 MAN TGX) – Championship Leader
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🇬🇧 John Newell (MAN) – (-3 pts)
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🇩🇪 Lukas Hahn (IVECO)
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🇬🇧 Bradley Smith (MAN)
A massive thank you to our incredible sponsors, family, and trackside fans who keep sending supportive messages. Your energy fuels every single lap we race! Next stop: Round 5 at Circuit Zolder in Belgium on 12-13 September!
Race 1
Race 2
Qualifying 2
Race 3
Race 4