NASCAR gets foothold in Europe

NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) and Team FJ has announced a licensing agreement that recognizes EURO-RACECAR as a NASCAR touring series.

EURO-RACECAR opened the Autosports International show in Birmingham, England with the announcement. EURO-RACECAR is registered as a FIA International Series that contests races in England, France and Spain. It is under the management of Team FJ, which founded the series in 2009. EURO-RACECAR will become the third international series to fall under the NASCAR touring banner – joining the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and NASCAR Mexico Series – and the first outside of North America.

“We are proud to welcome EURO-RACECAR to our family of NASCAR regional tours in the U.S., Canada and Mexico," said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president for regional and touring series. “Fans can enjoy the excitement of great stock car racing in locations across Europe, while talented drivers take the important first step on NASCAR’s ladder system."

“Obviously, it’s a great day for everyone who has participated in the RACECAR Series adventure." said Jerome Galpin, originator of the series. “Fans, drivers, sponsors, officials, teams, circuits, they all were a part of the series development. Joining NASCAR means entering a great family where key words are passion, professionalism and commitment. Beyond the recognition, this agreement is a fantastic boost for our series to become one of the main motorsport series in Europe."

The race cars of EURO-RACECAR are spec stock cars that feature a tubular chassis and fiberglass bodies with Chevrolet V8 engines that generate 450 horsepower and run on green E10 race fuel. The 2012 schedule features eight regular-season races – primarily on road courses – from April through July with a playoff consisting of a semifinal round in September and the championship in October.

The first race under the NASCAR banner will be on April 8 in Nogaro, France while first oval event will take place at Tours Speedway – a temporary urban short track – in France on July 7.

The 2012 EURO-RACECAR champion, runner-up and third-place drivers will be recognized along with the Most Popular Driver and Rookie of the Year at the postseason NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards Gala, which honors the top performers from each of NASCAR’s other six touring series.

Schedule

06/08 April Rd 1 & 2 NOGARO – With World GT
18/20 May Rd 3 & 4 BRANDS HATCH – With DTM
08/10 June Rd 5 & 6 SPA – With BTCS-GT
07/08 July Rd 7 & 8 TOURS SPEEDWAY – Oval Play-offs
28/30 September Semi-Finals VALENCIA – With DTM
12/14 October Finals LE MANS – FIA Truck GP Non Championship
09/11 November All-Star 8 hours of DAYTONA (Track Rolex 24H)