






































The 2024 British Truck Racing Championship is heading toward an electrifying finale after a heart-pounding weekend at Le Mans (September 28/29), where hopes soared, emotions ran high, and the championship battles were thrown wide open. In a weekend filled with breathtaking action, the penultimate event of the season delivered everything fans could dream of—leaving the titles in both Division 1 and Division 2 hanging in the balance, to be decided at the very last round.
Returning to mainland Europe for the first time in more than five years, the Le Mans round wasn’t just a race—it was a spectacle. With the French, British and FIA European Truck Racing Championships sharing the stage, the iconic circuit witnessed four brutal, nail-biting clashes as these mechanical titans left everything on the track. The British contingent was warmly welcomed to the historic Le Mans circuit, a gesture that meant everything to drivers and fans alike. Racing at Le Mans—one of motorsport’s most revered venues—was nothing short of a dream for many in the paddock. The circuit’s legendary status, steeped in the history of 24-hour endurance battles, is a symbol of speed, endurance, and relentless competition. For the British trucks to tear down the same tarmac as some of the greatest racers in the world was a moment of pride and honour, and the team expressed heartfelt thanks to their French hosts for the invitation. The chance to showcase the sheer spectacle of British truck racing on such a grand stage will live long in the memory.
In Division 1, the ever-dominant Ryan Smith took another giant step toward a staggering ninth consecutive championship, with a clean sweep of wins that left his rivals in the dust. Meanwhile, in Division 2, John Powell displayed nerves of steel, powering to three flawless victories that extended his lead and put him within touching distance of the title.
But the weekend wasn’t just about the frontrunners. For Tom and the Team MV Truck Racing squad, it was an emotional rollercoaster of their own. After a tough outing at Snetterton, the team arrived at Le Mans with high hopes, eager to test the new setups on their roaring International Navistar Race Truck. What followed was a weekend filled with moments of triumph and gut-wrenching heartbreak. Saturday’s races saw Tom deliver some of his best performances of the season, clawing his way up the field in a fierce fight for glory. Under the blazing French sunshine, he posted two consecutive fourth-place finishes, pushing the Navistar to its limit on the drying track. His qualifying times improved dramatically, with a best lap of 2:08.595 in Race 2. The crowd held its breath
as Tom chased down third place, only to have his dreams shattered by a defensive masterclass from John Bowler, who held him off by ust a second.
Then came Sunday, a day that would test Tom’s resolve like never before. In the first race of the day, triumph finally seemed within reach. Tom crossed the line in third, and for a brief, euphoric moment, he stood on the podium, basking in the cheers of his team and the crowd. But joy turned to despair when news broke—Michael Oliver’s five-second penalty had been rescinded. In an instant, Tom’s hard-fought podium finish was ripped away, leaving him in fourth once more.
The final race of the weekend only compounded the heartbreak. After battling his way up the field again, Tom found himself hit with a time penalty, sending him tumbling from yet another fourth-place finish down to seventh. It was a crushing blow after such a promising weekend, but even through the bitter disappointment, there was a sense of determination in the team’s garage.
For Tom, the weekend at Le Mans was bittersweet. Moments of brilliance were tempered by cruel misfortune, but the data gained, the experience earned, and the fire ignited by those near-misses have only fuelled the team’s hunger for redemption. With the season finale at Brands Hatch just weeks away, Tom and the team are heading home with their sights firmly set on victory.
Now, all eyes turn to Brands Hatch on November 2/3, where the season will end with a fireworks display both on and off the track. As the championship reaches its boiling point, the emotions, the rivalries, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. For Tom, for Team MV Truck Racing, and for every driver on that grid, the final round promises to be a showdown like no other.
You can watch the full Le Mans racing here:
Saturday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIOmGA0jcno
Sunday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1rhJuRuLec
MV Commercial is proud to announce its inclusion in the prestigious Scotland Limited 2024 list, ranking at number 60 among Scotland’s leading private companies.
This well-respected list, compiled by Grant Thornton UK, places MV Commercial within the top 100 of 350,000 private sector businesses in Scotland.
MV Commercial is proud to announce its inclusion in the prestigious Scotland Limited 2024 list, ranking at number 60 among Scotland’s leading private companies. This well-respected list, compiled by Grant Thornton UK, places MV Commercial within the top 100 of 350,000 private sector businesses in Scotland.
Being recognized as one of the leading founder-led and privately owned companies in Scotland underscores the enduring core strength of the MV Commercial Group.
The company has successfully navigated numerous challenges in the HGV sector over recent years, including a 23% contraction of the Scottish economy due to COVID-19, the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on fuel prices and the knock-on effects on the haulage industry, and the ongoing Middle East crisis affecting the logistics of key components in vehicle manufacturing.
In the face of these hurdles, MV Commercial has strengthened its position in the UK market, thanks to its robust strategic mid- and long-term plans, industry involvement and leadership, and continual investment and development ensuring growth, product delivery, and an expanding loyal customer base.
MV Commercial’s entry into Scotland’s Top 100 Companies at number 60 is a testament to its resilience and success despite the economic challenges facing the HGV industry. The company’s growth has been bolstered by the uplift in the Scottish economy, which is experiencing robust expansion in several key traditional sectors. This economic upswing has positively impacted many areas of the Scottish truck, trailer, and van industry, from delivery vans to construction trucks to specialist crane trucks—sectors where MV Commercial has seen significant growth and demand.
The company’s success in Scotland is closely linked to its rapid increase in market share of the specialist truck and trailer manufacturing sector across the UK, driven by multi-million-pound investments, including in its 73-acre facility in Grantham. This investment has facilitated the successful introduction of multiple new products, nearly doubling trailer production over the last three years, and expanding the company’s in-house manufacturing capabilities in the specialist crane sector nearly ten-fold.
MV Commercial’s success is also largely to the growth in demand for flexible hire deals tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients. By collaborating closely with customers, as well as suppliers, the company ensures its solutions are both innovative and responsive to market demands.
This collaborative approach has enabled MV Commercial to build strong, lasting relationships, fostering trust and loyalty within the industry, both from its customers and suppliers. Additionally, the company’s focus on customercentric 24/7 service and support, and its ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions have been pivotal in driving sustained growth.
Looking ahead, MV Commercial is excited about the future and remains committed to driving innovation and excellence in the HGV sector. Despite the challenges surrounding major infrastructure projects like HS2 and the broader uncertainties they introduce, the demand for our products and services remains strong.
Building on the strong foundation of our recent achievements, we plan to continue expanding our product range and enhancing our manufacturing capabilities. Our focus will remain on strategic investments and sustainable growth, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of our customers.
With the dedication of our talented team, we are confident in our ability to navigate future challenges and capitalize on new opportunities, and we look forward to strengthening our market position, both in Scotland and across the UK as we aim to achieve even greater success in the future.