EuroNASCAR on ice: Format for All-Star event in Finland revealed
As part of the Arctic Ice Race, EuroNASCAR will compete on an ice course for the first time. The format is inspired by rallycross
When the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (NWES) pitches its tents in Finland on March 5 and 6, fans can expect a historic event. For the first time in the 75-year history of NASCAR, races will be held on ice and snow. EuroNASCAR has come up with a special format for the event.
In Rovaniemi, the home of Santa Claus, racing will take place on three different ice tracks. As in the regular NWES championship, two drivers will share a car in the Arctic Ice Race. Each day, a new ice course and therefore a new challenge is on the schedule.
On Friday, March 4, competitors will start with six 30-minute free practice sessions on a 3.2-kilometer track. On Saturday, the drivers will battle for the best lap times in a time-attack shootout on a 2.4-kilometer circuit. These result in the starting order for Sunday’s race day, which is rallycross oriented. Preliminary heats, semifinals and final races will be contested on a 2-kilometer course.
“Since the creation of the series in 2009, we have always explored new territories and pushed the boundaries! So bringing the pure racing of EuroNASCAR on ice makes perfect sense in our strategy to innovate and develop new concepts of racing’”, explains NWES President Jerome Galpin. “This will be a big thing for everybody involved and a great opportunity to mix drivers coming from EuroNASCAR of course, but also other forms of racing: circuit, rally, RX.”
For the Arctic Ice Race, EuroNASCAR will provide special tires with studs as well as an ice racing kit with a shorter gear ratio, shock absorbers and cold weather protection equipment. In addition, the Northern Lights will provide an extraordinary atmosphere in the snowy north of Finland.
