RoadStars Trophy Finale 2018 – Off to the Nürburgring

Nice drive, relaxed flight, and then give it your all – the finalists of the RoadStars Trophy 2018 are keeping us all excited.

"Mind Full", the final task of the RoadStars Trophy 2018, is about to begin. 30 terms from the trucking sector appear on the wall one after the other. Participants then have three minutes to write down as many of them as they can remember. "The atmosphere is great, but we're all a little tense now. Who's at the top of the rankings? No-one knows. So now it's really a good time to give it your all," says Alex. Sitting in front of him is mascot "Schmiddi", who already accompanied last year's victors Andreas and Fabian. Will it bring him and Roland good luck?

They've all had a long day. It started with breakfast in the hotel. With added strength, they all head off to the Repsol filling station in Sitges where five Actros and two Arocs vehicles await them for the journey in the direction of the airport, along the legendary C-31 coastal route. Every last trace of tiredness has left them – driving here is a true highlight for all concerned!

Along the Mediterranean.

Especially now that the rush hour is out of the way and all seven trucks managed to get across the roundabout without a single vehicle squeezing its way in between them. The enthusiasm can really be felt upon arrival at the airport. Daniel: "So cool – a little bit tight at some points along the way, but the view of the blue Mediterranean is almost indescribable!" "With the four-axle truck, the bends are even a little bit tighter," says Marek, tapping Daniel on the shoulder and laughing. Cosmin: "Driving in convoy with seven trucks along this route was enough to give me goosebumps!"

A relaxing flight to Frankfurt where participants are greeted by Spanish weather – 29 degrees and a shining blue sky. Three RoadStars Trophy shuttle vehicles take the 14 finalists to their new location in the Eifel region, not far from the Nürburgring.

Decisive round.

In the seminar room, you could hear a pin drop. Who's best at recalling the 30 words? "Three, two, one – and action" – pen nibs scratch madly across the paper, there's whispering in the teams. "One minute left," says the games master mercilessly. Did the others manage more? "Ten seconds... and stop!" That was the final task of the RoadStars Trophy for 2018 and the scores will be added up at the end. "The teams are all so close to one another that only the final result will be decisive," said games master Christopher in the morning. Who will be the winner?

The finalists end the day sitting around a camp fire. 14 friends sitting together and looking at the hot coals; they show photos to one another and share various stories among themselves. Wife and children, their truck, life in general… loving, exciting, pleasant, touching stories. "The RoadStars Trophy involves all of those trucking tasks that we just love. But it's predominantly a human matter – meeting people here and becoming friends. That which the group has established here is what counts and the diversity just makes it all the more enticing. I think Europe is more alive than ever before," says Cosmin.

Everyone's a winner.

Excitement, nervousness, a wild mix of conversations – the awards ceremony is right around the corner. The Mercedes-Benz stand at the Truck Grand Prix on the Nürburgring on a Saturday morning, with hundreds of spectators having gathered. Presenter Dirk briefly explains about the days spent in Spain, before playing a video on the large screen and subsequently calling the 14 finalists up to join him on the stage. The time has come!

Third place for Tim and Christian from Belgium, second place for Matteo and Mirko from Italy, and the winners of the RoadStars Trophy for 2018 are reigning champions Switzerland with Alex and Roland! Christian: "The most important thing was that we all met up here. We're all winners. We've made friends for life here and we've spent a week together which we most certainly won't forget."

Photos: Sebastian Vollmert
Video: Martin Schneider-Lau