The possibility of NASCAR racing in Europe

[Joe Fan]

A new poster (Lee) asked this question on another thread. Since CART will be racing in Europe in 2001 at the new Rockingham track and possibly the new oval track in Germany, will NASCAR follow them? NASCAR does race in Japan now with the Winston West touring division and they did hold exhibition races a couple years at Suzuka and one at Motegi.

I personally think they will run some exhibition races there eventually if there seems to be enough interest. I have heard Bill France talk about it the possibility of racing in Europe and Americans have just as much in common (if not more) with Brits as they do with the Japanese so I think it will happen.

However, NASCAR already has a lengthy schedule with quite a few tracks wanting a Winston Cup race and a few who would love to have a second one. One thing is for certain citizens of the UK, if NASCAR heads your way--please attend if you want to see them again in the future. NASCAR just doesn't hold races outside of the U.S. everyday as it is a very expensive and hassle filled trip for them.

P.S. Does anyone have any links for these tracks that tell the size of the track and degree of banking? If so, I can tell you what tracks they are like on the Winston Cup schedule and what type of speeds they should be able to do there.

[Gerard]

If NASCAR should come to Europe, I certainly would pay them a visit, whether they ran in England or Germany.
As you say, this could be a once in lifetime experience.
As for the links, there was one to the Lausitzring in Germany, www.lausitzring.com but it seems to have disappeared.
The address for the Rockingham oval is www.rockingham.co.uk

[Heeltoe6]

From my experience, I think it will be tough enough to seel open wheel oval raicng in Europe, let alone "stock" car racing (especially when Europeans see how stock the cars are compared to a sp or st car). I would say it would fare better than Japan, but it won't be a huge success. But if Nascar really wanted to race in Europe, and attract fan, they should run one of the numerous road courses to test the waters to first see if the formula will be embraced. If it is, then go to the ovals, onnce people like the concept of American stock cars.

[indyracefan]

I would think that at this time anyway....NO, at least not the Winston Cup Series anyway. NASCAR WC already races 36 week-ends in a 52 week year, and has tracks all-over the U.S. begging for dates, that many will never get. If interest in Europe is only luke-warm at best, why would NASCAR or it's teams take what would probably amount to two weeks of precious scheduling to race at a venue where there's little interest especially, as mentioned above, when there are plenty of tracks in the U.S. that would sell-out for a race.

[Gerard]

Who says there's little interest in Europe for NASCAR?
Where are the numbers that confirm this?
As far as I know, NASCAR is very popular over here.
We can only watch NASCAR on Eurosport, but the viewership figures are very high.
I can understand there's some resistance against the travel to Europe and all the hassle and money that would cost, and also the fact NASCAR would not gain much by bringing the Winston Cup to Europe, but I'm absolutely convinced the venues, whether it be the Lausitzring or Rockingham, would be filled up to the very last seat.

[Heeltoe6]

Besides Lautzinring and Rokcingham, I just want to mention that Panoz is reportedly building an oval somehwere in France

[fatbloke]

Although i'm not a fan of Nastycar, I am a fan of motorsport, and would definately go and see it in the unlikely event of it coming to the UK. I'm sure seeing it live would be a totally different experience to it sending me to sleep when it's on Eurosprout!