Whelen Euro Nascar 14 -16 May 2021
Circuito de Ricardo Tormo, Valencia
Where do I start as it has been 15 months since I was last at a track to see cars or motorcycles. This coronavirus has a lot to answer for.
Having arrived at the track I was quite excited upon hearing those V8 engines purring and being warmed up for practice before qualifying began. The noise was like music to my ears.
I quickly got myself into the media accreditation centre and said my hellos, dropped off my bag and off to the garages and pit lane. That is where it all happens before the cars hit the tarmac.
Sadly I only managed to go for the first day’s action but that included practice, qualifying and two races but it was enough to remind me that I was still alive and that the red blood cells were still ready to pound around my body with the excitement that I was experiencing.
In the past I have told you about the cars, engines, drivers and who won what race but this time I am not. You can look it up for yourself on the Whelen Euro Nascar website.
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This time I want to concentrate on what goes on in the garages and the unsung heroes that keep the cars on the track.
For many years I have been to motor racing events and even took my kids to a Formula One event at Brands Hatch in 1983. Into the paddock and garage area, everyone was so friendly and willing to talk to you and allow photographs, etc.. Not in today’s world. Formula One is a no-go area for the fan who just wants to see what and where the action is (unless you’re a weeping 5-year old or some mysterious influencer/social meda guru who satisfies modern standard PC parameters – editor’s note). Let’s forget that because if you are not a VIP or highly qualified sports reporter you are not getting in. Full stop.
Now back to Whelen Euro Nascar. What a difference. The garages are open, people stop and talk, you can take pictures of anything you want and more to the point if you want (or need) a cup of coffee one of the teams hospitality areas will give you one (thank you very much to DF1 Racing, you were very kind).
Back to what I wanted to write about. The mechanics in each and every garage down pit lane, they worked their butts off to firstly prepare the cars ready to go on track and then to alter various components such as steering, suspension, carbs etc., etc..
After the cars have raced many come back with damage of some sort, some easy to fix and others where it is a major repair, new parts and panels, welding, re-aligning the wheels and suspension and much more. For the whole time I was there I can truly say the only time the mechanics had to relax was when the cars were actually racing on the track.
I am known for not being ‘politically correct’ and for saying what I think and yes I am a petrol head at heart. I love the noise of V12s, V10s and V8s, I love the smell, in fact I love everything about real pure petrol engined motor racing and long may it continue.
I could go on but I won’t as I have a deadline to keep. Suffice to say everything about the Whelen Euro Nascar series is great. The drivers and mechanics whose ages varied between nineteen years old to sixty years old are excellent racers and mechanics and all concerned with this event could not have done more to make it the success it was.
On a final note, I have to say that the two races I watched and photographed were excellent, really close racing, lots of pushing and shoving and a great spectacle for those spectators who were able to watch.
Please follow this link for full photo gallery from the event.
We rock and rule!
Thank you again to the Circuito de Ricardo Tormo and Whelen Euro Nascar for allowing iberianmph.com to be part of the weekend’s event.
Long Live real motor sport.
Tony
iberianmph.com 