Goodyear FIA ETRC’s Sensational Slovakia Ring races revisited
Two of last weekend’s Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship races that thrilled fans at the Slovakia Ring – and watching on TV or online at home – were decided on the last lap or, in the case of Race 2, on the finish line.
Norbert Kiss was the winner on both occasions, while René Reinert and Mark Taylor were the drivers who gave their all to defeat the seven-time Goodyear FIA ETRC champion only to just come up short.
This is what happened, what they said afterwards and, by clicking HERE, a chance to revisit the final laps of both sensational races.
Kiss wins by 0.010s in thrilling finish
Having fought his way through from eighth place on the partially-reversed grid, Norbert Kiss defeated fellow MAN-powered driver René Reinert by 0.010s in a dramatic drag race to the chequered flag following an inspired move from the seven-time Goodyear FIA ETRC champion. Kiss pulled to the outside approaching the penultimate turn before cutting back to snatch the inside line for the final corner. With just enough momentum to stay ahead, Kiss took victory in a virtual photo finish despite Reinert’s best efforts.
“It was very exciting, René was doing a really good job defending so it was really hard to get into position, for a few laps it was just not working,” Kiss explained. “In the last lap I kind of already gave it up, then I catch up to him and was very close and could make him defend into the last turn in a very unusual manner, which caused him to miss the apex a bit. I put my nose in and tried to have a good exit as much as possible. Then on the outside of course he was coming back a little bit, it was very close, the closest finish in truck racing I think.”
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Having missed first qualifying after gearbox problems in Free Practice 2, Reinert started Race 1 from the back of the grid before lining up on pole position for Race 2 on the partially-reversed grid. After resisting intense pressure from Steffi Halm, it wasn’t long before Reinert had Kiss to contend with. And the German very nearly did just enough to take his first win of 2026.
“For sure there’s some disappointment if you lose the win in the last corner,” Reinert said. “But, it’s okay, Norbi is really fast here and can play with his truck and do amazing things. He deserved the win. It was immense pressure, but you had to stay really focused and with the tyres getting hotter you had to decide where you brake and when you brake, there are a lot of things you have to manage in your head. After missing qualifying and starting the first race from 14th position and finishing eighth we get the first place for Race 2. It was a good start, everything was fine until the last corner.”
Taylor on top but can’t quite hold on
Having pulled clear of the chasing pack from third on the grid, defending Chrome category champion Mark Taylor went from being the hunter to the hunted as fellow MAN-powered driver Norbert Kiss began to close up in Race 4.
With two laps to go at the Slovakia Ring, the Hungarian’s charge from eighth on the partially-reversed Race 4 grid, had brought him to within 2.535s of Taylor, which became 1.6s by the end of lap seven.
Although Taylor was doing everything he could to remain in front, a lock-up allowed Kiss through a handful of corners from home as Taylor finished 0.974s behind at the flag.
“Overall, it’s good, a good end to a great weekend,” said Taylor. “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.”
Kiss’s progress through the pack was eased when Antonio Albacete made a lunge on Luke Garrett at Turn 10 on lap two, which sent both drivers wide and allowed Kiss to sneak through into third.
Having overtaken René Reinert on the start/finish straight earlier on lap two, Kiss demoted Steffi Halm for second with a fine move on lap five before he set off in his pursuit of Taylor and win number seven of the season.
“Again I made my move,” said Kiss. “With two laps to go I was trying to do my best, everything was getting hot, and the lap times were not good. It was difficult but I was hoping, you never give up and I was trying to reach him. He started to defend, locked his brakes and went wide, then it was easy to overtake him. The opportunity was there and I made it work. I’m really happy to do it here in Slovakia, it’s like a home race with a lot of Hungarian fans. I’m really proud of the team, Révész Racing, because they did an amazing job again.”
Revisit all the races from Slovakia Ring on YouTube. Go to the Sportity app using the password FIA_ETRC_26 for all results and standings. Register to access the new Goodyear FIA ETRC media hub by clicking HERE.
The Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship heads to Germany next when the Nürburgring hosts round three of the 2026 season from 9-12 July. Click HERE for event and ticket information.
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