{"id":1516,"date":"2022-01-30T06:15:32","date_gmt":"2022-01-30T06:15:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/motorracingsports.com\/?p=1516"},"modified":"2022-01-30T06:15:35","modified_gmt":"2022-01-30T06:15:35","slug":"is-there-a-european-version-of-nascar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motorracingsports.com\/is-there-a-european-version-of-nascar\/","title":{"rendered":"Is there a European version of NASCAR?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NASCAR\u2019s popularity is undoubtedly thanks to its adrenaline-producing muscle cars that keep fans coming back for more!<\/strong> It has amassed a massive following in the US, but does Europe share the same enthusiasm? My time in Europe revealed some interesting insights on the European version of NASCAR. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is the European version of NASCAR. It is most popular in the UK and broadcasts on Sky TV, . Races happen on 17 race tracks across Italy, England, France, Croatia, Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NASCAR\u2019s popularity is steadily growing in Europe, despite having to wrestle against Formula One and Moto GP giants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is There A European Version Of NASCAR?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

NASCAR is no stranger to fame and fortune in the US, enjoying an average of 10 million viewers per race. What then of its global presence, particularly in Europe? The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (previously called Racecar Euro Series and Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series)<\/strong> is Europe\u2019s official NASCAR stock-car racing series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is one of NASCAR\u2019s three international-sanctioned series, alongside the NASCAR Pinty\u2019s Series<\/strong> and the NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series.<\/strong> French rally driver J\u00e9r\u00f4me Galpin received inspiration to start a European-based stock car racing series after watching a NASCAR race in 2002.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Did The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Start?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, His family group, Team FJ, started the Racecar Euro Series in June 2008 and announced that the first season would happen the following year as an FFSA<\/a>-sanctioned (Federation Francaise du Sport Automobile) series. Its name changed to \u201cNASCAR Whelen Euro Series\u201d<\/strong> when Whelen Engineering became the title sponsor of the series in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series uses NASCAR-style vehicles on European circuits. The Euro-NASCAR cars are based on NASCAR\"Opens<\/a> cars from the US, although their design and engineering make them uniquely suited to racing exclusively on European courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new generation of automobiles debuted in 2016, with a revised composite body and a new aerodynamic package. Instead of the wing used in the previous generation, these cars have an 8-inch rear spoiler. The vehicles have a 450 horsepower V8 engine, rear-wheel drive, four-speed manual transmission, and they weigh<\/a> 1225 kg (2700 pounds).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, with its announcement on March 25, 2021, the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series became the first NASCAR series to use sequential gears. Sequential transmissions will be optional in 2021<\/strong>, one year before the NASCAR Cup Series introduces sequential gearboxes with the Next Gen<\/strong>\"Opens<\/a> vehicle.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Europe<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Where Are The Euro-NASCAR Race Courses?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are 18 Euro-NASCAR tracks throughout Europe, including Italy, England, France, Croatia, Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. Let\u2019s explore three of these racing tracks\"Opens<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brands Hatch, West Kingsdown, England<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Brands Hatch Circuit boasts an interesting motor racing track located in West Kingsdown, Kent, England. Originally an agricultural grass track motorcycle circuit, it staged 12 British Grand Prix races between 1964 and 1986 and now stages various British and international racing events. Jonathan Palmer\u2019s MotorSport Vision organization owns and operates the venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trevor Hopkins, a four-time British Rallycross Champion, developed and built the British Rallycross Circuit at Brands Hatch. It\u2019s about 0.9 miles long, and its construction took place in 1981.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circute Ricardo Tormo, Velencia, Spain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Circuit Ricardo Tormo, popularly known as Circuit de Valencia and formally called Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, is a 2.489-mile motorsport racing track established in 1999 in Cheste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The circuit gets its name from Ricardo Tormo, a two-time world champion Grand Prix motorcycle racer who passed away from leukemia in 1998. It features a 120,000-capacity and a 0.544-mile main straight. Since 2014, Valencia has hosted the season-opening round of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hockenheimring, Germany<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Hockenheimring is a motor racing track located on the Bertha Benz Memorial Route in the Rhine valley in Hockenheim, Baden-W\u00fcrttemberg, Germany. It has held the German Grand Prix, among other motor racing events, most recently in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting in 1932 and concluding in 2002, the racecourse has undergone several name changes and course modifications. The track consists of asphalt, with 17 bends and a total racing length of 2842 miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hockenheimring racing track has hosted a myriad of other championships, including the World RX of Hockenheimring, International GT Open, TCR Europe, Formula One, and many more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Race on Ovals?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite Europe being more famous for its winding race tracks or its street races like Monaco there are Oval tracks throughout the continent that NASCAR Whelen Euro has used. Although most of the races are run on road courses, the Venray Raceway and Tours Speedway were oval race tracks in the series. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tours Speedway was unfortunately last used in 2018, and despite a contract that ran until 2022 venray has been replaced by Automotodrom Grobnik in Croatia. Hopefully an Oval track can make an appearance again soon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.speedcafe.com\/2021\/10\/10\/european-team-joins-nascar-cup-series\/\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Cars does the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Use?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Currently the manufacturers involved in the NASCAR Whelen Euro series are as follows, <\/p>\n\n\n\n