Trucker Tim Drives the MV Commercial Pace Truck at Convoy in the Park
Driving a truck around Donington Park is one thing. Leading a field of 1,400 bhp British racing trucks onto the circuit is something else entirely. At Convoy in the Park, Trucker Tim was handed the keys to one of MV Commercial’s DAF show trucks and given the opportunity to become the official pace truck driver for one of Sunday’s British Truck Racing Championship races. With thousands of spectators watching and a full grid of race trucks filling his mirrors, it was time for Tim to take to the track.
Driving a truck around Donington Park is one thing. Leading a field of 1,400 bhp British racing trucks onto the circuit is something else entirely.
At Convoy in the Park, Trucker Tim was handed the keys to one of MV Commercial’s DAF show trucks and given the opportunity to become the official pace truck driver for one of Sunday’s British Truck Racing Championship races.
With thousands of spectators watching and a full grid of race trucks filling his mirrors, it was time for Tim to take to the track.
Leading the British Truck Racing Championship Field
The pace truck plays an important role at the beginning of a race.
Before the lights go out and the drivers are released to battle around the circuit, the pace truck leads the field through a controlled formation lap. This gives the drivers an opportunity to prepare their trucks, bring everything up to temperature and form the grid safely ahead of the start.
For Trucker Tim, it also provided one of the best views available anywhere at Convoy in the Park.
Looking into the mirrors, he was met by an unforgettable sight: a full field of highly modified racing trucks lined up behind the MV Commercial DAF, ready to attack Donington Park.
These are no ordinary trucks. British Truck Racing Championship machines can produce around 1,400 bhp and reach speeds of up to 100 mph, combining huge power with remarkably close racing.
Keeping that field under control until the correct moment required concentration, smooth driving and close attention to the circuit officials.
No pressure, then.
Due a red flag in the opening lap of the first race on Sunday at Convoy in the Park, Tim was called back to the track in the pace truck to lead the race trucks for a second pace lap in the race truck.
Check out how he handled it afterwards here:
Taking an MV Commercial DAF Show Truck onto the Circuit
Trucker Tim completed his pace truck duties in one of MV Commercial’s DAF show trucks.
Prepared to look its best for Convoy in the Park, the DAF stood out as it led the racing grid around the famous Donington Park circuit. It was the perfect truck for the occasion, combining a commanding road presence with the comfort and control needed for the formation lap.
While Tim is certainly no stranger to driving trucks, this was a very different experience from his usual time behind the wheel.
Instead of motorways, depots and delivery points, he had Donington Park’s sweeping corners, elevation changes and packed grandstands to contend with. More importantly, he had an entire grid of impatient race drivers waiting behind him.
Once the formation lap was complete, Tim returned to the pit lane and the DAF moved aside, leaving the racing trucks to unleash their full power.
A Front-Row Seat to the Action
Convoy in the Park brings together some of the biggest names, best-looking vehicles and most passionate people in the transport industry.
For Trucker Tim, driving the pace truck meant becoming part of the racing action rather than simply watching it from the side of the circuit.
From the moment the DAF entered the track to the point where the race trucks were released, Tim had a front-row seat to the noise, power and anticipation that make the British Truck Racing Championship such a spectacular experience.
The stunning weather and huge Donington Park crowd made the occasion even more memorable.
Supporting MV Truck Racing at Donington Park
The pace truck appearance formed part of a busy weekend for MV Commercial, Fruehauf and MV Truck Racing.
Away from the circuit, visitors could meet the MV team, explore a selection of specialist trucks, trailers and crane units, and take part in activities across the display.
On track, attention turned to Tom O’Rourke and the MV Truck Racing team as truck number 86 battled through another action-packed British Truck Racing Championship weekend.
Trucker Tim’s pace truck lap helped bring the different parts of the event together, putting one of MV Commercial’s show trucks at the front of the field before the racing action began.
From Pace Truck Driver to Crane Operator
Leading the race trucks was not Tim’s only challenge at Convoy in the Park.
After completing his pace truck duties, he swapped the steering wheel for a Palfinger remote and attempted the HTF Skills Academy Lorry Loader Challenge using an MV Commercial Scania cabin spec truck fitted with a Palfinger PK62 crane.
The pace truck lap might have looked intimidating, but guiding a suspended steel pin around a precision crane course proved to be a completely different test.
Read how Trucker Tim handled the HTF Lorry Loader Challenge.
It is probably fair to say he looked more comfortable behind the wheel.
Ready to Go with MV Commercial
A huge thank you to Trucker Tim for joining MV Commercial at Convoy in the Park and taking the DAF show truck onto the Donington Park circuit.
MV Commercial supplies an extensive range of specialist trucks for hire and sale throughout the UK, including tractor units, crane trucks, tippers, recovery vehicles, plant trucks and bespoke commercial vehicle builds.
Vehicles are available through outright purchase, hire, lease and rent-to-buy, with Ready to Go stock and custom build options available to suit your business.
Call 01236 280 280 to speak with our specialist team.
