Curiosities
The Fuel
Diesel Fuel has undergone several changes since 1996. In the past, Added Extra Diesel used to be used, at the time with a 0.5% sulfur content. In 1998, 0.2% Added Extra Diesel started being used. Then, in 2003, beginning in the São Paulo stage, the category started being provided with a 0.05% sulfur content diesel fuel, a product which would only become available in the market in 2006. The product's cetane count was also improved (51 compared to metropolitan diesel fuel's 42), and the its density reduced. This was all done to slash the trucks' smoke and emissions.
Podium Diesel, containing 2% biodiesel (B2 Podium Diesel), is foreseen for 2007, in advance of the legislation that will go into effect as of January 2008, rendering it mandatory to use 2% Biodiesel in all diesel fuel marketed in Brazil.
The Lubricants
Since Petrobras began sponsoring Formula Truck, the category has always been provided with the best-performing lubricant available for diesel engines. In the offset, Lubrax Extra Turbo used to be used. When Lubrax Top Turbo was launched, it was the product the trucks started using. As time went by, truck engine power and rotation increased to such a point, with power above 750 HP being registered, that common lubricants no longer supported the efforts imposed on them.
Because of this, after undertaking several tests, Petrobras Distribuidora developed a product solely for the category: Lubrax Top Turbo Competition, a synthetic lubricant. Its use allowed for an average increase of 30 HP in power and for a 40% to 50% reduction in engine wear and tear. The product debuted in 2002 and a second version of it was launched in 2003.
This lubricant was accepted so well by the drivers that Petrobras Distribuidora decided to improve it and launch a synthetic-base lubricant for diesel engines in the Brazilian market: Lubrax Tec Turbo, which hit the market in 2005. This the market's best-performing product, and has achieved international approvals, including with super-extended trade characteristics (100,000 km), allowing for extremely low engine wear levels. Formula Truck engines currently exceed 1,000 HP and their wear levels are three times lower than they were three years ago.
The Trucks
Formula Truck vehicles and the trucks crossing the country carrying freight are very different. The former are lighter, the distance between the ground and chassis is shorter, and the suspension has been adapted for racing.
The chassis and cabin are cut and the inter-axle distance is also different. The instrument panel has been removed to give way to precision apparatus.
The engine may be up to three times more powerful than a standard engine, reaching 200 km/h. This is due to the many changes in the mechanics, including pistons, rods and peripherals such as turbines, filters and injection pump, to name a few. But for safety reasons the maximum speed permitted in the races is 1670 km/h.
The Race
Since the 2001 season, the Formula Truck stages have only one round, with the number of laps varying between 30 and 35, depending on the length of the track and climate conditions. There is always a yellow flag (green and yellow checkered) programmed by the organizers in the first part of the race.
When it is waved, the first six drivers win points: 7 for being in the lead, 5 for second placed, 4 third, 3 fourth, 2 fifth and 1 sixth placed. These points are valid for the championship, but do not determine the places on the podium, which is decided by the order in which the first five trucks finish the race.
The first ten to receive the final flag are graded as follows: 20 for first, 15 for second, 12 third, 10 fourth, 8 fifth, 6 sixth, 4 seventh, 3 eighth, 2 ninth and 1 for tenth placed. The pilot in pole-position also earns one point.
Restricted Weight
The vehicles in Formula Truck, as in other motorsports categories, have tight weight restrictions. The minimum permitted for Volvo and Scania with conventional cabins is 5,000 kilos. Flat-front models by the same manufacturers can weigh up to 4,800 kilos and all use 11 and 12-liter engines. The Ford Cargo and Volkswagen trucks weigh 3,800 kilos because they are equipped with an 8.3-liter engine.