One of the most popular events in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series calendar is back on 8-9 June with the NASCAR GP UK. The historic Indy Circuit of Brands Hatch will once again welcome the EuroNASCAR gladiators for the eleventh running of American SpeedFest. SpeedFest has proved to be an amazing spectacle for competitors and fans alike and with more than 50,000 people attending the tenth anniversary edition in 2023, expect the 2024 edition to live up to its hype with even more Pure Racing on-track action and a huge variety of off-track activities.
With a length of 1.944 kilometers, six corners and no real straights to take advantage of the 400 hp V8 engines, Brands Hatch has gained a reputation as one of the toughest 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 that’s immediately followed by the uphill Druids hairpin. A perfect harmony between driver and car is needed to become the king and prince of NASCAR in the United Kingdom.
EuroNASCAR PRO: Can anyone match Ghirelli?
Vittorio Ghirelli stamped his domination at home in Italy, leading all sessions and winning both Round 3 and 4 to extend his lead in the points standings. The PK Carsport driver is undoubtedly going to be the favorite, but he has yet to win in the United Kingdom. One driver who has achieved that feat multiple times is Gianmarco Ercoli, the Italian’s fellow countryman and closest rival. The reigning champion took his first EuroNASCAR PRO win at Brands in 2018 and swept the 2023 NASCAR GP UK to become the defending king of the SpeedFest. There will be an added impetus for Ercoli to win as he’s due to start his 100th race in the division, a milestone that only Frederic Gabillon reached so far.
Not far behind them is Marc Goossens, a veteran of the series and the circuit itself. The Belgian is still chasing for his first win of the season, but has shown remarkable consistency behind the wheel of Team Bleekemolen’s #72 Toyota Camry. He is followed by Liam Hezemans and Paul Jouffreau, both sharing the lead in Junior Trophy. Hezemans and Jouffreau have shown tremendous speed at Brands Hatch before and will be in contention for both Trophy and overall wins.
Another one to watch for is Tobias Dauenhauer, who sits sixth in the standings after three consecutive top-5 finishes. A year after Dauenhauer made his first appearance with Bremotion, the German will be aiming to secure his first Victory Lane visit of 2024. Also never count out the Speedhouse duo of Lucas Lasserre and Ulysse Delsaux, who are always a safe bet for strong finishes. Thomas Krasonis is ninth overall and third in the Junior Trophy ahead of the new Challenger Trophy leader Thomas Toffel.
Martin Doubek is currently eleventh, but will be a dark horse contender after a 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 all have a point to prove after setbacks left them in 15th, 20th and 21st in the standings. Adding to the spectacle are two drivers that the home fans will root and cheer for: Jack Davidson and Max Marzorati. Davidson will do double duty in Lux Motorsport’s pink #21 Chevrolet Camaro, while Marzorati will race the #27 Ford Mustang of Double V Racing.
EuroNASCAR 2: Advantage for Martin Doubek and Hendriks Motorsport
EuroNASCAR 2 gained a reputation for being the most unpredictable division of the official European NASCAR championship, but after two rounds there’s a predictable face that always rose to the top. Czech driver Martin Doubek has won three races and is planning to make it five onboard the #7 Ford Mustang of Hendriks Motorsport. The 2021 champion holds a 24-point advantage from Thomas Toffel, who continues to be the surprise of the season. The Swiss driver took his first podium of the season in Italy and is hungry to get even more on 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 in the standings. The Luxembourger on the #50 Toyota Camry certainly has the speed to become a consistent challenger for victories 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 in Round 4, the driver of the #46 Chevrolet Camaro will be one to watch in the UK.
Julien Rehberg and Florian Richard are also set to continue their amazing Rookie Trophy battle, currently tied for the top spot in the special classification for debuting drivers and fifth in the standings. Mario Ercoli is not too far away and will be ready to pounce should his closest rivals make a mistake. A heavy shunt in Italy has derailed Patrick Schober’s momentum, but the Austrian is ready to regain that with the refurbished #3 Ford Mustang of RDV Competition.
Thomas Dombrowski is looking solid in ninth, as does Legend Trophy leader Roberto Benedetti. The Italian holds a five point lead from Michael Bleekemolen in the special classification for drivers aged 40 and over. Their rivals Claudio Cappelli and Melvin de Groot experienced mixed fortunes in Italy, but they have what it takes to win at Brands Hatch as they’re the reigning Trophy winners. Arianna Casoli continues to lead the Lady Trophy in 20th overall.
EuroNASCAR PRO
A new winner incoming? – Gianmarco Ercoli is the only active driver to have won a race in EuroNASCAR PRO at Brands Hatch, so the odds of a new winner being crowned are as high as ever.
Kenko Miura returns – Kenko Miura missed the second event of the season in Italy, but the Japanese driver will be back to race the #74 Team Japan Needs24 Toyota Camry in both divisions.
RDV Competition brings a second entry – The French team will field two cars for the first time since 2021 with the addition of the #16 Ford Mustang, driven by Frederic Perriat in EuroNASCAR PRO and returning 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 prince of EuroNASCAR 2 will be crowned at the end of Rounds 5 and 6.
First in more than a decade – More than a decade after his last start in 2012, Alain Grand will make his return to EuroNASCAR 2 at the age of 71 and become the driver with the longest gap between two starts in history.
Duel of the British drivers – Jack Davidson will not be the only home driver to race in EuroNASCAR 2 after Club Motorsport welcomed the addition of three-time Club Challenge overall winner Gordon Barnes to the #55 Chevrolet Camaro.
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