Alliance between Bleekemolen and Iceboys: Dutchmen take care of four cars!
The Iceboys and Team Bleekemolen have announced a partnership for the 2022 NWES season – This means the Dutchmen will service four cars
The Iceboys have found a new partner for the 2022 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (NWES): The Finns will team up with Team Bleekemolen from the Netherlands to hunt for points in both EuroNASCAR championships. This also means that the team around the Bleekemolen family will be in charge of a total of four cars.
The Iceboys were bonded to the Austrians from DF1 Racing in 2021. Since this cooperation will not be continued, the Finns have reached an agreement with Sebastiaan and Michael Bleekemolen on a partnership. The Finns will place two cars in the care of the Dutchmen, for which there are also already drivers confirmed for the 2022 NWES season.
Two-time Challenger Trophy champion (bronze and silver drivers) Henri Tuomaala will again compete in EuroNASCAR PRO next season and try to defend his title in the #23 car. The 33-year-old is the most successful driver in the Challenger Trophy with 16 wins in the special classification. Rookies Jonne Rautjarvi and Janne Koikkalainen will share the #44 car.
“I haven’t set specific targets for the coming season. Last year we had several issues along the way, so this year’s goal is to have a trouble-free season and develop adjustments to our setup. I believe that through that, better results will come and I can develop as a driver,” says Tuomaala.
Rautjarvi comes to the NWES from the Swedish V8 Thunder Cars series and will make his debut right away in the EuroNASCAR PRO championship. The 22-year-old is not only looking to grab the Rookie Trophy, but also first place in the overall standings. He will share the car with Gentlemen driver Koikkalainen, who will compete in the EuroNASCAR 2 series and contest an NWES race for the first time since 2018.
Due to the cancellation of the Hockenheimring round, the 2022 NWES season will start in Valencia, Spain, on May 14 and 15. Who will share the car with Tuomaala has not yet been determined. Team Bleekemolen had previously confirmed two cars: the #69 Ford Mustang for Sebastiaan Bleekemolen and Melvin de Groot and the #72 car as a part-time entry for Michael Bleekemolen, who at 72 is the oldest driver in EuroNASCAR.
