One of the most popular events on the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series calendar returns June 8-9 with the NASCAR GP UK. The historic Brands Hatch Indy Circuit will once again welcome EuroNASCAR gladiators at the eleventh edition of the American SpeedFest. SpeedFest has proven to be an incredible spectacle for competitors and fans alike, and with over 50,000 people attending the 10th anniversary edition in 2023, the 2024 edition is expected to live up to its hype with even more action. Pure racing on the track and great variety. of off-piste activities.
With a length of 1,944 kilometers, six turns and no real straight to take advantage of the 400 hp V8 engines, Brands Hatch has earned the reputation of being one of the most difficult tracks to master on the EuroNASCAR calendar. Adding to the challenge is the circuit’s natural profile, which creates unique corners, such as the steep downhill section at Paddock Hill Bend, immediately followed by the uphill Druids hairpin. It takes perfect harmony between driver and car to become the king and prince of NASCAR in the UK.
EuroNASCAR PRO: Can anyone match Ghirelli?
Vittorio Ghirelli sealed his home dominance in Italy, leading all sessions and winning rounds 3 and 4 to extend his lead in the points standings. The PK Carsport driver will undoubtedly be the favorite, but he has not yet won in the United Kingdom. One driver who has accomplished that feat several times is Gianmarco Ercoli, the Italian’s compatriot and closest rival. The reigning champion took his first EuroNASCAR PRO win at Brands in 2018 and swept the 2023 NASCAR UK GP to become the defending king of SpeedFest. There will be an added push for Ercoli to win as he must begin his 100th career start in the division, a milestone only achieved by Frederic Gabillon so far.
Not far behind them is Marc Goossens, a veteran of the series and the circuit itself. The Belgian is still searching for his first win of the season, but has shown remarkable consistency behind the wheel of the Bleekemolen team’s number 72 Toyota Camry. He is followed by Liam Hezemans and Paul Jouffreau, both sharing the lead in the Junior Trophy. Hezemans and Jouffreau have shown tremendous speed at Brands Hatch before and will be in contention for both the Trophy and overall victory.
Another to watch is Tobias Dauenhauer, who sits in sixth place in the standings after three consecutive top-five finishes. A year after Dauenhauer made his first appearance with Bremotion, the German will look to secure his first visit to Victory Lane in 2024. Also never rule out the Speedhouse duo of Lucas Lasserre and Ulysse Delsaux, who are always a sure bet for good results. Thomas Krasonis is ninth overall and third in the Junior Trophy, ahead of new Challenger Trophy leader Thomas Toffel.
Martin Doubek is currently eleventh, but will be a hidden contender after the double podium in Italy. American NASCAR driver Ryan Vargas continues his European adventure with his first visit to the legendary Brands Hatch. Vladimiros Tziortzis, Fabrizio Armetta and Sebastiaan Bleekemolen have something to prove after setbacks left them 15th, 20th and 21st in the standings. Two drivers join the show that local fans will support and cheer on: Jack Davidson and Max Marzorati. Davidson will do double duty in Lux Motorsport’s No. 21 pink Chevrolet Camaro, while Marzorati will compete in Double V Racing’s No. 27 Ford Mustang.
EuroNASCAR 2: Advantage for Martin Doubek and Hendriks Motorsport
EuroNASCAR 2 has earned a reputation as the most unpredictable division in the official NASCAR European Championship, but after two rounds there is one predictable face that always comes out on top. Czech driver Martin Doubek has won three races and plans to win his fifth in the No. 7 Hendriks Motorsport Ford Mustang. The 2021 champion has a 24-point lead over Thomas Toffel, who remains the surprise of the season. The Swiss driver took his first podium of the season in Italy and is hungry to achieve even more with his #34 Race Art Technology Chevrolet Camaro and become a title contender.
Gil Linster had to concede defeat to his teammate Doubek in Italy, but still managed to recover enough points to move up to third place in the standings. The Luxembourger in the #50 Toyota Camry certainly has the speed to become a consistent challenger for wins in 2024. Another driver with plenty of momentum is Marko Stipp Motorsport’s Thomas Krasonis. The Greek gained 18 places to secure a career-best fourth place finish in Round 3 and with another fourth place finish in Round 4, the driver of the number 46 Chevrolet Camaro will be one to watch in the UK.
Julien Rehberg and Florian Richard will also continue their incredible battle for the Rookie Trophy, currently tied for first place in the special classification for rookie drivers and fifth in the standings. Mario Ercoli is not far away and will be ready to attack if his closest rivals make a mistake. A bad crash in Italy has derailed Patrick Schober’s momentum, but the Austrian is ready to get it back in the reconditioned number 3 Ford Mustang from RDV Competition.
Thomas Dombrowski looks solid in ninth place, as does Legend Trophy leader Roberto Benedetti. The Italian leads Michael Bleekemolen by five points in the special classification for drivers aged 40 or over. His rivals Claudio Cappelli and Melvin de Groot had mixed luck in Italy, but they have what it takes to win at Brands Hatch as they are the current Trophy winners. Arianna Casoli continues to lead the Lady Trophy in 20th place overall.
EuroNASCAR PRO
A new winner on the way? – Gianmarco Ercoli is the only active driver to have won a EuroNASCAR PRO race at Brands Hatch, so the odds of a new winner being crowned are higher than ever.
Kenko Miura returns – Kenko Miura missed the second event of the season in Italy, but the Japanese driver will return to compete with the #74 Team Japan Needs24 Toyota Camry in both divisions.
The RDV contest brings a second entry: The French team will field two cars for the first time since 2021 with the addition of the No. 16 Ford Mustang, driven by Frederic Perriat in EuroNASCAR PRO and the return of Alain Grand in EuroNASCAR 2.
EuroNASCAR 2
Looking for a new prince – With Vladimiros Tziortzis focusing solely on EuroNASCAR PRO and no former winners entering Brands Hatch, a new EuroNASCAR 2 prince will be crowned at the end of Rounds 5 and 6.
First in over a decade – More than a decade after his last start in 2012, Alain Grand will return to EuroNASCAR 2 at the age of 71 and will become the driver with the longest gap between two starts in history.
British pilots duel – Jack Davidson won’t be the only local driver competing in EuroNASCAR 2 after Club Motorsport welcomed the addition of three-time Club Challenge overall winner Gordon Barnes to the No. 55 Chevrolet Camaro.
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