Sutton racer enjoys good start to title defence

The roar of high-performance diesel engines has returned to the circuits of Europe as the 2026 FIA European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC) kicked off its season.

For Sutton’s Mark Taylor, the 39-year-old defending Chrome Championship winner, the opening rounds proved to be a masterclass in resilience, spanning thousands of miles and a dramatic shift in fortune.

Representing Taylor’s Truck Sport and operating out of the MTL Logistics hub on Sidings Road in Kirkby, the team faced an arduous 1,165-mile journey to the Misano World Circuit in Italy to begin their campaign. As the reigning champion of the Chrome category - a class designed for rising stars and competitive privateers - Taylor entered the season with a target on his back and a determination to retain his title for a second consecutive year.

The season opener at Misano was characterized more by technicalities and track-limit frustrations than the podium finishes the team had anticipated. On the first day of qualifying, Taylor’s momentum was halted when his best lap time was deleted for striking penalty markers. The infringement relegated him to P11 overall, starting from row five for the opening race.

Race one initially offered a glimmer of hope as Taylor crossed the line in third place within the Chrome category. However, the result was short-lived. Following a post-race meeting with FIA officials, it was revealed that over 50 penalty markers had been struck by various drivers during the heat of competition. Taylor was among those hit with a severe one-minute and 30-second time penalty, stripping him of his podium position.

The misfortune continued into race two, where a drive-through penalty ended any realistic chance of a comeback. By Sunday, the team was desperate for a "reset." While Taylor managed a P8 overall and P3 in the Chrome qualifying session, race three introduced a new obstacle: a mechanical engine issue. Forced to manage the truck rather than race it, Taylor’s sole objective became crossing the finish line to salvage whatever points were available.

It was only in the final race of the Italian weekend that the "Team 81" driver truly found his rhythm. Pushing the limits of his truck to salvage the weekend, Taylor secured a second-place podium finish in the Chrome category, providing a much-needed morale boost before the long trek to the next venue.

### The Turning Point: The Slovakia Ring

Leaving the frustrations of Italy behind, the team traveled approximately 942 kilometers to the Slovakia Ring. The change in scenery brought a definitive change in luck. Taylor signaled his intentions early, securing a respectable P5 overall in qualifying and taking the top spot in the Chrome category.

Starting from row three for race one, Taylor demonstrated the "brilliant pace" that earned him the 2025 title. He held his ground against the field to secure a first-place finish in the Chrome category. This dominance continued through race two, where he replicated the result, taking another P1 in category and maintaining a highly competitive P5 in the overall standings against the championship’s elite "Titan" drivers.

The weekend reached its crescendo in the final race. In a superb display of defensive and offensive driving, Taylor not only claimed another P1 in the Chrome category but also landed a P2 podium finish in the overall standings, beating out several top-tier competitors.

His performance did not go unnoticed by the paddock. Taylor was one of only three drivers nominated for the prestigious Goodyear Wingfoot Award, which recognizes consistent performance and tyre management throughout a race weekend. While he narrowly missed out on the trophy, the nomination served as a testament to his recovery from the Italian setbacks.

As the dust settles on the back-to-back opening rounds, the standings reflect a significant turnaround. Mark Taylor now leads the Chrome category with 81 points, successfully turning a disastrous start into a championship-leading campaign.

The 2026 FIA European Truck Racing Championship now moves to one of the most iconic venues in motorsport: the Nürburgring in Germany. Scheduled for July 10th through the 12th, Round 3 is expected to draw massive crowds and provide a stern test for the MTL Logistics-backed truck.

For the fans following the journey of the Sutton in Ashfield native, the message is clear: the road to a second title is rarely smooth, but Mark Taylor has proven he has the pace and the persistence to navigate the bumps. Supporters can follow the team’s progress and receive live updates via social media by searching for "Taylor’s Truck Sport" on Facebook and Instagram.

With the momentum now firmly in his favor, Taylor heads to Germany not just as a defending champion, but as the man to beat in the 2026 season.