Watch your back F1, here comes NASCAR
NASCAR is planning to use its Car of Tomorrow as a platform to create regional series around the world, this week's Autosport magazine exclusively reveals.
A hybrid version of the new car, which is set to make its race debut in America next month, is set to be developed with a spec V8 engine for use in other countries.
NASCAR vice-president of corporate communications Jim Hunter told Autosport: "We see an opportunity somewhere down the road to develop some sort of NASCAR series in various countries."
However, Hunter added that plans are still at very early stages, and he is unable to put a timescale on any project.
"We have discussed a hybrid car at NASCAR for a series somewhere in the future," he said. "At this point we don't even have one on paper." [Editor's Note: NASCAR is only popular in the USA and is well advised not to attempt global expansion. Overseas race fans are much more sophisticated and will not accept NASCAR's form of racing with stock block pushrod engines and carburetors. NASCAR's success in Mexico has been mediocre at best and when they tried to go to Japan they came back with their tails between their legs – a complete failure.]
02/15/07 Robbie Weiss, NASCAR's international managing director, said: "NASCAR is still a relatively unknown product in the UK, but last year it was the highest rated American sport on television in the UK. Autosport.com reports that Sunday's NASCAR race will be tape delayed in the UK and shown at 12:10 AM Monday morning.
02/13/07 If F1 thinks it has a stronghold on the global race market, think again. NASCAR plans to go global, and with their huge war chest of money, even Bernie Ecclestone had better be worried.
NASCAR still has hopes to one day race in or near New York City and plans to try to take a methodical approach to foreign markets, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said Tuesday.
During his address on the state of the sport, France said he wants anything international to be productive for all aspects of the sport.
The NASCAR Busch Series will compete in Mexico and Canada this year, and France said the next expansion could come in Europe, Latin America or Asia.
"My mandate is, 'How do we make sure the industry is expanding?'" France said. "Whether that's building cars or exporting cars, whether that's information, promotion, technology, you name it.
"This industry has got the model built. When we have opportunities internationally, it will have to be that the industry comes together and gets the benefit." Scenedaily.com