NASCAR goes Europe:
7 countries, 26 races
Are you ready?
Jerome Galpin (Euro NASCAR) and Guy Frobisher (General Tire)
General Tire & Euro NASCAR:
Together, right to the finish line
Tyre burn-outs, the squealing of wheels on asphalt, dark tracks in each curve: The raw aesthetic born in Daytona, where NASCAR has its home. And it’s truly impressive what the tyres at a NASCAR race have to deliver.
So why not face that challenge with an official partner, who equally embodies American tradition—while aiming for a high performance and reliability?
With General Tire, the Euro NASCAR has entered a six-year cooperation to meet those requirements. Admittedly, six years for a sponsoring cooperation is a most unusual timespan in motorsports. But it’s most telling in terms of the trust Euro NASCAR places in General Tire. In return, the brand has developed a race tire that promises to meet the high expectations of the 30 Euro NASCAR teams.
The specifically developed “NWES GT” tyres have proven their strengths in the first tests. In classic NASCAR-fashion, each vehicle has the same set of slick and wet-versions of the tyre in a size of 11.5/27.5R15.
After all: Anywhere is possible. From the Euro NASCAR race track to the winding roads of Europe.
Our Euro NASCAR tyres—from US to Europe
The General Tire race tyre engineered for the Euro NASCAR.
Winners on all tracks
NWES GT
- Size: 11.5/27.5 R 15
- Number of sets available per driver: 20
The tyres were specifically engineered in Plymouth, Indiana, with the demanding NASCAR conditions in mind. Though these differ in Europe, as the European tracks are mostly circuits instead of classic ovals: Tyres must be able to endure through curves of various angles while also suiting a variety of different asphalt tracks. Even the weather conditions of the various countries must be taken into account to always keep the NASCAR cars safe on the track.
All alongside the well-known NASCAR racing conditions, such as driving distances and time, even vehicle weight and speed must be considered.
The Euro NASCAR car 2019
The Euro NASCAR Car 2019
- NASCAR Engine: V8 5.7 litre NWES, 400 bhp, torque 55 m/kg
- Transmission: rear wheel drive, 4-speed gearbox
- Brakes: 4 pot monobloc calipers, 330 mm vented discs
- Top speed: 250 km/h
- Weight: 1210 kg / 2650 lbs
- Length: 5080 mm
- Width: 1950 mm
- Wheelbase: 2740 mm
- Safety: FIA-certified tubular chassis, FIA-certified equipment
- Parity: same car for every driver, same parts on every car; major components sealed, fiberglass composite body
The General Tire branded car (see image) is a fine example of how spectacular a Euro NASCAR car can look in race trim—though General Tire does not intend to put it on the start grid just yet. It proudly symbolizes the cooperation between General Tire and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series and will be seen regularly at exhibitions and promotional events such as the “Autosport International”. Of course, cars cannot race without an approved number, and the General Tire car was assigned the number 61 as a conscious choice; with clever styling, the number 61 is visually similar to the brand initials “GT”.
NASCAR 2019: Anywhere is possible in Europe
When you think of NASCAR racing, it’s all US-American: The smell of oil and fuel, a thrilling competition in equal conditions.
The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series capture a European audience with these emotions and thrills: In 7 countries and race weekends, throughout 26 races. The challenge though, are the European tracks. They are a mix of various tracks famous from other motorsport events and even include a classic NASCAR oval. Competing in Europe demands a whole different set of abilities from driver and machine alike.
A view of the pit of the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, 2018
NASCAR @ Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia, Spain
April 13 to April 14, 2019
The Circuit Ricardo Tormo was first opened in 1999 and is therefore comparably young. Climate-wise it is fairly mild due to its location close to the eastern coast of Spain.
In Valencia, Euro NASCAR drivers take the course counter-clockwise on a length of 4.005 km, facing 9 left and 5 right turns along with a straight run that is the longest straightway in the Euro NASCAR season. Particularly the curve after a chicane, right before the finish line, takes some skill. All-in-all, a dynamic and exciting track.
Fighting for the lead in Franciacorta, 2017
(ph Luca Casadei)
NASCAR @ Autodromo di Franciacorta, Castrezzato/Brescia, Italy
May 11 to May 12, 2019
The Italian circuit opened in 2008 near Lake Garda and is one of the latest venues of the NASCAR Europe series. It’s over 12 meters wide and 2,519 asphalted kilometers, 8 right and 5 left bends are taken clockwise. Drivers consider the curves to be easily visible and fluid.
And they’re off!
NASCAR @ Brands Hatch, Fawkham, England, UK
June 1 to June 2, 2019
This route has a long tradition going back to the 1940s and is about 30 km southeast of London. It may look inconspicuous at first—but it packs its own punch: The NASCAR track in the UK is 1,929 km long and has 4 right bends and 2 left bends clockwise considered demanding by the NASCAR drivers, as they can be underestimated due to the strong variation in cornering speeds.
Autodrom Most
NASCAR @ Autodrom Most, Most, Czech Republic
June 29 to June 30, 2019
With a combination of 12 right-hand and 9 left-hand bends, the 4.212 km long course is curvy and challenging. It is driven clockwise and perfect for NASCAR races: The comparatively straight and thus fast first section of 792 m length is followed by a real roller coaster ride, which requires solid driving skills.
The calm before the race
NASCAR @ Raceway Venray, Venray, Netherlands
July 13 to July 14, 2019
The track also known as Circuit de Peel is considered to be the fastest oval circuit in Europe. The only 800 m long circuit with its 4 high-banked turns corresponds to a classic ½ mile oval NASCAR drivers are familiar with. It is typically driven counterclockwise and offers a thrilling show made of high speeds and side-by-side action in classic NASCAR fashion.
The Sachscurve at Hockenheimring
NASCAR @ Hockenheimring, Hockenheim, Germany
September 21 to September 22, 2019
The traditional and legendary track guarantees a dynamic race on 3,692 km. On the fast sections with exciting overtaking opportunities, every chance has to be exploited, and that plays a large part in making Hockenheim one of the fastest tracks in the calendar. For the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, Hockenheimring plays host to the semifinal for the second time. This race plays a major role in the battle for the title—while it’s not possible to win the title by placing first in the semifinals, history has already proven that it’s possible to lose the chance for the title.
Celebrating the winner of Elite 2 in Zolder
NASCAR @ Circuit Zolder, Zolder, Belgium
October 5 to October 6, 2019
6 right and 4 left turns—including 3 chicanes—must be conquered in Zolder, southeast of Antwerp. Like many other European courses, it looks back on a long and eventful history including Formula 1 races in the 70s and 80s. The course on 4.011 km asphalt is driven clockwise and is considered demanding with its hill jumps and blind bends. While the first section is smooth to drive, the second section is tough and calls for calculated braking maneuvers by the talented NASCAR drivers.
|
Preparing the line-up. |
|
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing—in short NASCAR—is a company that sanctions and operates stock car races on a global scale. Its beginnings and roots are in Daytona Beach, Florida of the late 40s, the birthplace of American stock car races and home to the Daytona 500. The strong American roots characterize all NASCAR races, now including the sponsoring of the Whelen Euro Series by General Tire. It was in Daytona where the NASCAR has played a great part in the growth of stock car races as they are today. It was actually the NASCAR founder, William France Senior, who thought and realized the Daytona International Speedway. Another staple of stock car races: the race cars themselves. The cars are the reason why they’re still named stock car races. In the early years, only production cars were permitted to the races. Today, the NASCAR cars are purpose-built race cars with a strong connection with their production counterparts. All competing NASCAR teams have the same initial conditions: The same NWES engine, chassis, gearbox, weight, safety features—and tyres, in this case General Tire up to 2024. Three body kits—all equivalent in performance—are available: Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Toyota Camry. |
New to NASCAR? Frequently asked questions
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Click here to find out more or to change your cookie settings.
