An exciting weekend awaits the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series at Adria, Italy, where on September 17-18 the Adria International Raceway will host the first round of the 2016 playoffs in the context of the American Speed Weekend Semi Finals. The pressure is mounting and four nail-biting, unpredictable double-points races on the track located just 60 Km from the wonderful Venice, surrounded by American-themed entertainment and the unique atmosphere of the NWES paddock, will delight the fans at the track and those following the action live on Fanschoice.tv, setting the tight battle for the Euro NASCAR title on fire in both the ELITE 1 and the ELITE 2 Division. Here’s what the protagonists had to say before entering the playoffs:
ELITE 1
1 - Frederic Gabillon (#3 Tepac RDV Compétition Ford Mustang) / 306 PTS
“It’s going to be tough. It is a new track for everybody and I took some laps on a simulator to know it a little better. I am sure that RDV Competition will give me a great car as usual and I definitely want to win on a road course, since this year I won only on ovals. The weather could be a factor in Adria, so be ready for some really exciting racing. We are going to do everything we can to win! Last year we learned a lot as a team and we built a new car. We are doing a very good job and we want to keep our momentum. I am sure it will be a hard and fair battle until the last corner of the last race.”
2 - Anthony Kumpen (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) / - 1 PT
“I know the track from FIA GT and I really like it. We will try to be on the podium in both races to go back to Zolder, our home track, as championship contenders. It is a fine line: you have to be aggressive but also avoid any risky mistake. It is important to work very well with the team and be consistent and we are doing very good job for now. I think the upcoming tracks suit me very well and the goal is to go to Charlotte in December. As in every race, qualifying will be very important with the top cars so close to each other and if the weather will be changing, I’m confident we can do very well!”
3 - Borja Garcia (#6 Double-T by Nocentini Ford Mustang) / -24 PTS
“The decisive moment of this season is here. It is a fantastic chance for me to have a shot at the title and I am sure we can be competitive. We will put our best effort in it since the first session. I don’t know the track and the pressure is really high, we will have to work very hard to beat Frederic, Anthony and Alon. The races will be long, anything could happen and we will do our best as always, pushing as hard as we can.”
4 - Alon Day (#54 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) / -32 PTS / Junior “Jerome Sarran” Trophy leader
“We worked pretty hard during the summer break to be in the best shape at Adria. CAAL Racing did a great job and we were able to complete some test days. In addition to this, I had to opportunity to drive two races in NASCAR Xfinity Series and it gave me some very valuable seat time among a strong competition. Last year CAAL Racing won twice on home soil and we are definitely gunning for a repeat this weekend. I come with a lot of confidence, our main goal is to score good points for the championship and stay out of trouble. It’s the playoffs, it’s money time!”
5 - Wilfried Boucenna (#73 Knauf Racing Team Ford Mustang) / -41 PTS
“We had a good first part of the season and we scored good points for the Knauf Racing Team and we are fifth in the standings and second in the Junior Trophy. In the playoffs we want to win and we will go for the win each time. I don’t know the Adria Raceway, but I will learn quickly working with the team. I want to win this playoffs for the Knauf Racing Team.”
ELITE 2
1 - Stienes Longin (#11 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) / 330 PTS
“I am really looking forward to be back racing in NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. After a 2 months break it is time for the hardest challenge. I have quite a good margin in the championship but now with double points awarded you can lose this advantage pretty fast. So we have to keep working, stay focused and when it is possible, try to win.”
2 - Salvador Tineo Arroyo (#54 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) / -37 PTS
“After the summer break and the tests we did at Adria, we are confident we can do very well in these Semi Finals. I am in the same situation as last year, second in points with a small gap to fill in the last races of the season. The playoffs will be very interesting for everybody. Anything could happen and we will do our best to win the championship this year.”
3 - Riccardo Geltrude (#7 Double-T by Nocentini Ford Mustang) / -48 PTS / Rookie Cup Leader
“After our first win at Tours Speedway we know we can do very well in our home race at Adria too. We are in good shape and we will do our best to climb on the podium again with a strong result or – why not? – a win. I did my first test ever on a race car at Adria and I know the track quite well. To win here you have to go slow to go fast, because you have to keep calm, take care of your tires and brakes and don’t make any mistake. Our team is doing a really great job and I want to repay them with some solid results!”
NWES ON-TRACK SCHEDULE (CET times)
Thursday September 15th
15:00 - 18:00 Private Practice (180 min)
Friday September 16th
14:00 – 14:30 ELITE 1 Practice (30 min)
14:35 – 15:05 ELITE 2 Practice (30 min)
17:00 – 17:30 ELITE 1 Final Practice (30 min)
17:35 – 18:05 ELITE 2 Final Practice (30 min)
Saturday September 17th (LIVE ON FANSCHOICE.TV)
10:00 – 10:17 ELITE 1 Qualifying (8 min) / ELITE 1 Superpole (5 min)
10:23 – 10:40 ELITE 2 Qualifying (8 min) / wELITE 1 Top 12 Superpole (5 min)
13:30 – 14:10 ELITE 1 Race 1 (24 laps – 64.85 km)
17:30 – 18:10 ELITE 2 Race 1 (24 laps – 64.85 km)
Sunday September 18th (LIVE ON FANSCHOICE.TV)
09:00 – 09:10 Warmup (10 min)
10:30 – 11:10 ELITE 2 Race 2 (24 laps – 64.85 km)
FAST FACTS
The Race: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will visit Adria, Italy for the first time. Adria International Raceway is the third different Italian track to host the NWES Semi Finals since 2013. All the races will award double points in the hunt for the Euro NASCAR title and Zolder, Belgium will host the 2016 Finals on October 8-9.
The Procedure: 25 Cars will enter the Adria Raceway American Speed Weekend. The starting field for each Division will be set by an 8-minute qualifying session, followed by a 5-minute Superpole that will determine the top 12 positions. Each of the four races will be 64.85 Kilometers (24 laps) long and held under NASCAR rules, with double file restarts and an eventual Green-White-Checkered Finish attempt.
The Circuit: Located just 60 Km from the wonderful city of Venice, the Adria International Raceway opened in 2002. It measures 2.702 meters, features a total of 17 corners and is homologated to host Formula 1 events. Its magnificent 8.000 square meters covered paddock makes the track a unique venue in Europe.
ADRIA RACEWAY RACE NOTES
Alex Caffi Motorsport debuts: Former Formula 1 driver Alex Caffi will makes his NASCAR Whelen Euro Series debut with his Alex Caffi Motorsports, taking a new step in his eclectic career. The Monegasque team will field one Ford Mustang at Adria and Zolder, with Caffi and Mauro Serra, General Manager of the Star Team For The Children charity organization, to take the wheel in the Italian event. Alex Caffi Motorsports will race under the Monegasque flag and plans to expand to two cars for 2017.
Most Wins In The Playoffs: Alon Day (#54 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) is the active driver with the most wins in the playoffs across the two divisions with three wins. He is closely followed by Frederic Gabillon (#3 Tepac RDV Compétition Ford Mustang) and Gianmarco Ercoli (#9 Double-T by Nocentini Ford Mustang) with two. Nicolò Rocca (#56 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS), Salvador Tineo Arroyo (#54 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS), Thomas Ferrando (#37 Knauf Racing Team Ford Mustang) and Gabriele Gardel (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) all have one win each.
Trophies: Entering the Adria Raceway weekend, Alon Day leads the Junior “Jerome Sarran” Trophy with 9 points on Wilfried Boucenna (#73 Knauf Racing Team Ford Mustang) and 15 on the duo of Thomas Ferrando (#37 Knauf Racing Team Ford Mustang) and Nicolò Rocca (#56 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS). Dario Caso (#8 Vict Motorsport Ford Mustang) holds the lead in the Challenger Trophy by 4 points on Marconi De Abreu (#47 Brazil Team Ford Mustang). Willy Gruber (#26 Dexwet Renauer Team Ford Mustang) is third, 17 points back. Thanks to his first NWES win at Tours Speedway, Riccardo Geltrude (#7 Double-T by Nocentini Ford Mustang) enters the Semi Finals with a 49-point lead on Paul Guiod (#73 Knauf Racing Team Ford Mustang), who moved 4 points ahead of Marconi De Abreu (#47 Brazil Team Ford Mustang). Renzo Calcinati (#12 Virgin Radio Double-T by Nocentini Ford Mustang) moved to the lead in the tight battle for the Legend Trophy with 8 points on Simone Laureti (#9 Double-T by Nocentini Ford Mustang) and 9 points on Jerry De Weerdt (#78 Brass Racing Ford Mustang). Arianna Casoli (#8 Vict Motorsport Ford Mustang) leads the Lady Cup.
ELITE 1
1 - Frederic Gabillon (#3 Tepac RDV Compétition Ford Mustang) / 306 PTS
“It’s going to be tough. It is a new track for everybody and I took some laps on a simulator to know it a little better. I am sure that RDV Competition will give me a great car as usual and I definitely want to win on a road course, since this year I won only on ovals. The weather could be a factor in Adria, so be ready for some really exciting racing. We are going to do everything we can to win! Last year we learned a lot as a team and we built a new car. We are doing a very good job and we want to keep our momentum. I am sure it will be a hard and fair battle until the last corner of the last race.”
2 - Anthony Kumpen (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) / - 1 PT
“I know the track from FIA GT and I really like it. We will try to be on the podium in both races to go back to Zolder, our home track, as championship contenders. It is a fine line: you have to be aggressive but also avoid any risky mistake. It is important to work very well with the team and be consistent and we are doing very good job for now. I think the upcoming tracks suit me very well and the goal is to go to Charlotte in December. As in every race, qualifying will be very important with the top cars so close to each other and if the weather will be changing, I’m confident we can do very well!”
3 - Borja Garcia (#6 Double-T by Nocentini Ford Mustang) / -24 PTS
“The decisive moment of this season is here. It is a fantastic chance for me to have a shot at the title and I am sure we can be competitive. We will put our best effort in it since the first session. I don’t know the track and the pressure is really high, we will have to work very hard to beat Frederic, Anthony and Alon. The races will be long, anything could happen and we will do our best as always, pushing as hard as we can.”
4 - Alon Day (#54 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) / -32 PTS / Junior “Jerome Sarran” Trophy leader
“We worked pretty hard during the summer break to be in the best shape at Adria. CAAL Racing did a great job and we were able to complete some test days. In addition to this, I had to opportunity to drive two races in NASCAR Xfinity Series and it gave me some very valuable seat time among a strong competition. Last year CAAL Racing won twice on home soil and we are definitely gunning for a repeat this weekend. I come with a lot of confidence, our main goal is to score good points for the championship and stay out of trouble. It’s the playoffs, it’s money time!”
5 - Wilfried Boucenna (#73 Knauf Racing Team Ford Mustang) / -41 PTS
“We had a good first part of the season and we scored good points for the Knauf Racing Team and we are fifth in the standings and second in the Junior Trophy. In the playoffs we want to win and we will go for the win each time. I don’t know the Adria Raceway, but I will learn quickly working with the team. I want to win this playoffs for the Knauf Racing Team.”
ELITE 2
1 - Stienes Longin (#11 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) / 330 PTS
“I am really looking forward to be back racing in NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. After a 2 months break it is time for the hardest challenge. I have quite a good margin in the championship but now with double points awarded you can lose this advantage pretty fast. So we have to keep working, stay focused and when it is possible, try to win.”
2 - Salvador Tineo Arroyo (#54 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) / -37 PTS
“After the summer break and the tests we did at Adria, we are confident we can do very well in these Semi Finals. I am in the same situation as last year, second in points with a small gap to fill in the last races of the season. The playoffs will be very interesting for everybody. Anything could happen and we will do our best to win the championship this year.”
3 - Riccardo Geltrude (#7 Double-T by Nocentini Ford Mustang) / -48 PTS / Rookie Cup Leader
“After our first win at Tours Speedway we know we can do very well in our home race at Adria too. We are in good shape and we will do our best to climb on the podium again with a strong result or – why not? – a win. I did my first test ever on a race car at Adria and I know the track quite well. To win here you have to go slow to go fast, because you have to keep calm, take care of your tires and brakes and don’t make any mistake. Our team is doing a really great job and I want to repay them with some solid results!”
NWES ON-TRACK SCHEDULE (CET times)
Thursday September 15th
15:00 - 18:00 Private Practice (180 min)
Friday September 16th
14:00 – 14:30 ELITE 1 Practice (30 min)
14:35 – 15:05 ELITE 2 Practice (30 min)
17:00 – 17:30 ELITE 1 Final Practice (30 min)
17:35 – 18:05 ELITE 2 Final Practice (30 min)
Saturday September 17th (LIVE ON FANSCHOICE.TV)
10:00 – 10:17 ELITE 1 Qualifying (8 min) / ELITE 1 Superpole (5 min)
10:23 – 10:40 ELITE 2 Qualifying (8 min) / wELITE 1 Top 12 Superpole (5 min)
13:30 – 14:10 ELITE 1 Race 1 (24 laps – 64.85 km)
17:30 – 18:10 ELITE 2 Race 1 (24 laps – 64.85 km)
Sunday September 18th (LIVE ON FANSCHOICE.TV)
09:00 – 09:10 Warmup (10 min)
10:30 – 11:10 ELITE 2 Race 2 (24 laps – 64.85 km)
| Race | American Speed Weekend Semi Finals |
|---|---|
| PLACE: | Adria International Raceway, Italy |
| DATE: | September 17-18, 2016 |
| TRACK LAYOUT: | 2,702 km (1.679 mi) 17-turn Road Course |
| 2014 WINNERS: | - |
| TRACK CONTACT: | Website: adriaraceway.com Email: info@adriaraceway.com Tel: +39 0426 941 411 |
| TRACK TWITTER: | - |
| EVENT HASHTAG: | #NWES #AdriaRaceway #semifinals |
| NASCAR CONTACT: |
Anne Galpin, +33 6 76 04 11 89, anne@teamfj.com
PO: Gian Luca Guiglia +39 393 817 95 46, gguiglia@euronascar.com |
FAST FACTS
The Race: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will visit Adria, Italy for the first time. Adria International Raceway is the third different Italian track to host the NWES Semi Finals since 2013. All the races will award double points in the hunt for the Euro NASCAR title and Zolder, Belgium will host the 2016 Finals on October 8-9.
The Procedure: 25 Cars will enter the Adria Raceway American Speed Weekend. The starting field for each Division will be set by an 8-minute qualifying session, followed by a 5-minute Superpole that will determine the top 12 positions. Each of the four races will be 64.85 Kilometers (24 laps) long and held under NASCAR rules, with double file restarts and an eventual Green-White-Checkered Finish attempt.
The Circuit: Located just 60 Km from the wonderful city of Venice, the Adria International Raceway opened in 2002. It measures 2.702 meters, features a total of 17 corners and is homologated to host Formula 1 events. Its magnificent 8.000 square meters covered paddock makes the track a unique venue in Europe.
ADRIA RACEWAY RACE NOTES
Alex Caffi Motorsport debuts: Former Formula 1 driver Alex Caffi will makes his NASCAR Whelen Euro Series debut with his Alex Caffi Motorsports, taking a new step in his eclectic career. The Monegasque team will field one Ford Mustang at Adria and Zolder, with Caffi and Mauro Serra, General Manager of the Star Team For The Children charity organization, to take the wheel in the Italian event. Alex Caffi Motorsports will race under the Monegasque flag and plans to expand to two cars for 2017.
Most Wins In The Playoffs: Alon Day (#54 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) is the active driver with the most wins in the playoffs across the two divisions with three wins. He is closely followed by Frederic Gabillon (#3 Tepac RDV Compétition Ford Mustang) and Gianmarco Ercoli (#9 Double-T by Nocentini Ford Mustang) with two. Nicolò Rocca (#56 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS), Salvador Tineo Arroyo (#54 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS), Thomas Ferrando (#37 Knauf Racing Team Ford Mustang) and Gabriele Gardel (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) all have one win each.
Trophies: Entering the Adria Raceway weekend, Alon Day leads the Junior “Jerome Sarran” Trophy with 9 points on Wilfried Boucenna (#73 Knauf Racing Team Ford Mustang) and 15 on the duo of Thomas Ferrando (#37 Knauf Racing Team Ford Mustang) and Nicolò Rocca (#56 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS). Dario Caso (#8 Vict Motorsport Ford Mustang) holds the lead in the Challenger Trophy by 4 points on Marconi De Abreu (#47 Brazil Team Ford Mustang). Willy Gruber (#26 Dexwet Renauer Team Ford Mustang) is third, 17 points back. Thanks to his first NWES win at Tours Speedway, Riccardo Geltrude (#7 Double-T by Nocentini Ford Mustang) enters the Semi Finals with a 49-point lead on Paul Guiod (#73 Knauf Racing Team Ford Mustang), who moved 4 points ahead of Marconi De Abreu (#47 Brazil Team Ford Mustang). Renzo Calcinati (#12 Virgin Radio Double-T by Nocentini Ford Mustang) moved to the lead in the tight battle for the Legend Trophy with 8 points on Simone Laureti (#9 Double-T by Nocentini Ford Mustang) and 9 points on Jerry De Weerdt (#78 Brass Racing Ford Mustang). Arianna Casoli (#8 Vict Motorsport Ford Mustang) leads the Lady Cup.
No comments:
Post a Comment