NASCAR Whelen Euro Series

NASCAR Whelen Euro Series
Category Stock Cars
Region Europe
Inaugural season 2009
Constructors Chevrolet
Ford
Toyota
Engine suppliers Chevrolet
Tyre suppliers Michelin
Drivers' champion Elite 1: Belgium Anthony Kumpen
Elite 2: Belgium Stienes Longin
Teams' champion Belgium PK Carsport
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

Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series logo, 2012 – June 2013

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

2010 car

As manufacturer involvement is limited, model representations are used for aesthetic purposes only. Models included the Chevrolet SS, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Toyota Camry and Dodge Challenger.

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

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

Three-time NWES Champion, Ander Vilarino.
Season ELITE 1 Champion ELITE 2 Champion Team Champion
Racecar Euro Series
2009 France Wilfried Boucenna
2010 France Lucas Lasserre France Emmanuel Brigand
2011 France Éric Hélary France Romain Fournillier France Hélary Racing Team
Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series
2012 Spain Ander Vilariño France Simon Escallier France Exotics Racing - Still Racing
NASCAR Whelen Euro Series
2013 Spain Ander Vilariño France Anthony Gandon France TFT - Banco Santander
2014 Belgium Anthony Kumpen Belgium Maxime Dumarey Belgium PK Carsport
2015 Spain Ander Vilariño Italy Gianmarco Ercoli San Marino GDL Racing
2016 Belgium Anthony Kumpen Belgium Stienes Longin Belgium PK Carsport

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Racecar Euro-Series approved as new international FIA series" (PDF). racecar-series.com. Team FJ. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  2. ↑ "Touring Series" (PDF). Racecar-series.com. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
  3. ↑ "Concept". NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
  4. ↑ "A new era for NASCAR in Europe". NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. 2013-07-01. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
  5. ↑ "Cars’ Specs". NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
  6. ↑ http://hometracks.nascar.com/nwes/elite-1/story/new-2016-nwes-car-unveiled_10022015
  7. ↑ http://hometracks.nascar.com/nwes/elite-1/story/2016-nwes-car-rocks-roc_11242015
  8. ↑ http://hometracks.nascar.com/nwes/elite-1/story/2016-nwes-ford-mustang-makes-test-debut_12072015
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