A first in International NASCAR Racing
European and Canadian driver exchange
Vallée-Jonction (Quebec, Canada) - June 30th, 2018 - For the first time in NASCAR history, two international series, the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series and the NASCAR Pinty's Series run in Canada, will exchange two drivers for one race in each other's championship later this season. This exchange will take place at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières (GP3R) in August (10-11-12), and in October (19-20-21) at the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season Final at Zolder in Belgium.
"This exciting idea creates an opportunity to showcase two major initiatives that were implemented in 2017: Spectra Premium's commitment as a manufacturer and sponsor of motorsports, and its recent launch into the European market. Earlier this year, we reached new milestones in the development of a competitive high-performance radiator that helps in bringing teams to victory lane, and now we are turning to this driver exchange program to bolster our visibility in Europe," said Jason Best, Senior Vice-President, Aftermarket, Spectra Premium Industries.
The European driver who will race at the GP3R will be determined by the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series regular season standings following this coming weekend's Oval World Challenge in Tours (France).
For the first race, the Dumoulin Competition race team will welcome the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series ELITE 1 regular season points leader. The European guest racer will drive a Spectra PremiumTM team car on the famous Canadian GP3R street course on August 12th.
"Among the goals we set with for the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, providing this kind of opportunity for our drivers is a very important one, so I am particularly happy to see our points leader cross the Atlantic to race at Trois-Rivières. It reinforces the great relationship between NASCAR Series at an international level and gives our drivers one more chance to shine. Adding this fantastic opportunity in Canada to the races in the US, we add important recognition to our Championship and Trophy winners. This development confirms that the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is definitely one of the most attractive championships in Europe for every kind of driver!" said Jerome Galpin, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series President / CEO.
On October 20th, Canadian driver and Spectra PremiumTM Ambassador Jean-Francois Dumoulin will compete in the ELITE 1 Division in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series final event for 2018 at Zolder, the historic Belgian track, the second race of this driver exchange.
"We started discussing the possibilities of this exchange project five years ago, always looking for realistic ways to make it happen. I thought it was a great idea and really wanted to be part of it. As Ambassador for Spectra PremiumTM, building relationships that would help us move successfully into the European markets was always at the forefront of my thinking. As a driver, hosting the ELITE 1 points leader of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series at the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix is an honour for our team as well as for Spectra PremiumTM. We all feel the same way about our visit to Zolder, the famous Belgian track, for the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Final, a major event for all concerned. This marks a notable first for both NASCAR Pinty's and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, and the start of a sound business venture for Spectra PremiumTM," explained the driver of the #04 Spectra PremiumTM car.
Spectra PremiumTM, which has developed high-performance radiators for several stockcar series and recently launched its automotive parts for the European market, made this driver exchange possible.
Photo : Jean Ladouceur, Rouge Marketing
Additional information
Spectra Premium Industries Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada. Spectra PremiumTM is a team of more than 1,300 dedicated employees specialized in automotive cooling systems design, manufacturing and distribution, as well as fuel delivery, ignition and engine management, climate control and under car components.
The Company owns and operates four manufacturing plants, 18 warehouses and a distribution networks in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Backed by unparalleled customer and after sales service, Spectra PremiumTM is the automobile manufacturers', auto technicians' and handymen's choice for reliable, quality parts and automotive systems. Trust your vehicle to Spectra PremiumTM (spectrapremium.com)
Dumoulin Competition. In 2009, Jean-François Dumoulin partnered with his brother, also driver, Louis-Philippe to create Dumoulin Compétition race team. They united with experts of finance, marketing, logistics and sports management fields, in order to offer their sponsors and partners a solid organizational structure. Their motto: "Passion, Performance and Partnership" corresponds to their mission of offering their sponsors more than on-track performance, but also optimal value for their invested dollar in terms of visibility, driver involvement and organization (dumoulincompetition.com)
NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series was founded in 2008 and established the NASCAR official European Series in January 2012 thanks to a long-term partnership signed with NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), Team FJ, a Motorsports company located in Blois, France, and Whelen Engineering as title sponsor of the Series. The season is made up of 24 races, equally split among ELITE 1 and ELITE 2 divisions, on the best European tracks. Euro NASCAR introduced a stunning innovation on July 7-8, 2012 by organizing the first ever NASCAR race on an oval track in Europe on a half-mile speedway built in the downtown of Tours (France). With four races in two days, these 400 HP V8 monsters provide pure racing action and thrilling bumper-to-bumper battles as well as a lot of family fun around the track! In the pure NASCAR tradition, race fans can get closer to the action than ever and feel the unique in Europe paddock atmosphere thanks to drivers, teams and cars always available for the spectators. The series attracts drivers from all over the world, all willing to fight on track for the win and take the first step towards becoming a NASCAR star in the U.S.
(hometracks.nascar.com/international/whelen-euro-series/)
NASCAR Pinty's Series. NASCAR's main sponsor in Canada, Pinty's, has committed to a long-term engagement in automobile racing and is partnering with NASCAR and TSN to build a strong motorsports heritage in Canada. These NASCAR events benefit from extensive media coverage through television, written press and internet publications. NASCAR racing offers fans a thrilling edge-of-the-seat experience like no other. Skillful and intense competition, admirable teamwork, and an "open to all" environment create NASCAR's genuine appeal to both spectators and drivers alike. Fans of the sport agree that NASCAR racing unites the most varying demographics through a shared passion for racing, and creates a lifestyle committed to the sport, the drivers, and the sponsors' brands (hometracks.nascar.com/international/pintys-series/)
