NASCAR Whelen Euro Series
 | |
| Category | Stock Cars |
|---|---|
| Country | Europe |
| Inaugural season | 2009 |
| Constructors |
Chevrolet Ford Toyota |
| Engine suppliers | Chevrolet |
| Tyre suppliers | Michelin |
| Drivers' champion |
Elite 1:  Ander VilariñoElite 2:  Gianmarco Ercoli |
| Teams' champion |
 GDL Racing |
| Makes' champion | Chevrolet |
| Official website | Whelen Euro Series |
 Current season | |
The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (Formerly known as Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series) is an official NASCAR stock-car racing series based in Europe. Before it was sanctioned by NASCAR, it was known as Racecar Euro-Series.
History
Racecar Euro-Series was created in 2008 by the French Team FJ Group. The first season was in 2009. Following two seasons at mainly French venues, the Racecar Euro-Series was approved as an International Series by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) at the end of 2010.[1] The calendar was expanded for 2011 to include more races in Europe.
Current status
In early 2012, Team FJ made an agreement with NASCAR to sanction the series as part of the NASCAR circuit, though it remains an international FIA series.[2]
With the new agreement with NASCAR, the series became an official NASCAR racing series in Europe. NASCAR rules and standards are adopted in the series. The champion is invited to the NASCAR Nights of Champions Gala at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina along with the rest of the regional series champions, with the 2012 champion Ander Vilariño being the first to attend.[3]
On July 1, 2013, with partnership from Whelen Engineering, the series was renamed NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. Its first race under the new name was at Tours, France.[4]
Car
The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is based around the concept of using NASCAR-style cars on European circuits. The Euro-NASCAR cars are inspired by American NASCAR but built specifically for European tracks. The cars use a V8 Chevrolet engine creating 450 hp. It uses a four-speed manual gearbox, is rear-wheel drive and weighs 1150 kg.[5]
The NASCAR Euro Series cars are used in the Race of Champions.
To end the 2015 season, at Circuit Zolder Finals on October 2, a redesigned Chevrolet SS composite body was unveiled to be used in the 2016 season.[6] Resembling much like the bodies of their American counterparts, the car made its racing debut in the 2015 Race of Champions.[7] The Ford Mustang body also made its test debut soon after[8]
Specifications
- Power: 400 hp (298 kW)
- Weight: 1,210 kg (2,670 lb)
- Height: 1,300 mm (51 in)
- Length: 1,500 mm (59 in)
- Wheelbase: 2,677 mm (105 in)
- Width: 1,950 mm (77 in)
As manufacturer involvement is limited, model representations are used for aesthetic purposes only. Models included the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet SS and Toyota Camry.
For the 2016 season, with the introduction of an aerodynamic package, the wing will no longer be used as the series will adopt an 8-inch rear spoiler.
Championships
- Elite 1 drivers championship – Main championship open to gold/silver/bronze drivers
- Junior J.Sarran Trophy – under 25 years
- Challenger Trophy – amateur drivers
- Elite 2 drivers championship – Restricted to silver/bronze drivers
- Legend Trophy – 50+ years
- Gentleman Trophy – gentleman drivers
- Rookie Cup – young debutants
- Lady Cup – female drivers
- Teams championship – points collected by each car in Elite 1 and Elite 2 divisions
The elite champion wins entry into a NASCAR race, the UNOH Battle at the Beach (formerly the Toyota All-Star Showdown). The junior champion wins a NASCAR test.
NASCAR Whelen Euro Series events are run over three days and include four races.
Champions
| Season | ELITE 1 Champion | ELITE 2 Champion | Team Champion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racecar Euro Series | |||
| 2009 |  Wilfried Boucenna |
||
| 2010 | Lucas Lasserre |
Emmanuel Brigand |
|
| 2011 | Eric Hélary |
Romain Fournillier |
Hélary Racing Team |
| Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series | |||
| 2012 | Ander Vilariño |
Simon Escallier |
Exotics Racing - Still Racing |
| NASCAR Whelen Euro Series | |||
| 2013 | Ander Vilariño |
Anthony Gandon |
TFT - Banco Santander |
| 2014 | .svg.png){kind=small} Anthony Kumpen |
Maxime Dumarey |
PK Carsport |
| 2015 | Ander Vilariño |
Gianmarco Ercoli |
GDL Racing |
See also
References
- ↑ "Racecar Euro-Series approved as new international FIA series" (PDF). racecar-series.com (Team FJ). Retrieved 30 January 2011.
- ↑ "Touring Series" (PDF). Racecar-series.com. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
- ↑ "Concept". NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
- ↑ "A new era for NASCAR in Europe". NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. 2013-07-01. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
- ↑ "Cars’ Specs". NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
- ↑ http://hometracks.nascar.com/nwes/elite-1/story/new-2016-nwes-car-unveiled_10022015
- ↑ http://hometracks.nascar.com/nwes/elite-1/story/2016-nwes-car-rocks-roc_11242015
- ↑ http://hometracks.nascar.com/nwes/elite-1/story/2016-nwes-ford-mustang-makes-test-debut_12072015
External links
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