The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series 2023 is finally ready to kick off at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, where 31 cars from 16 teams representing ten different European and Asian countries will hit the track.
The twelfth official season of European NASCAR promises spectacular battles, great attractions for the whole family, and the pure racing spirit that makes EuroNASCAR the best touring car series in Europe.
Double V Racing, having delivered strong performances in 2022, will attack all three official categories for the first time with the #27 Ford Mustang.
A lineup rich in talent and experience that guarantees sparks and surprises: Stefano Attianese, an experienced driver from Lazio with a strong background in open-wheel racing, will compete in EN Pro; Patrick Schober, a rising star of the series, will attempt to go for the EN 2 title for the second season; Viktor Schiffer, a young Austrian driver, is ready to duel in the Club Challenge.
CLUB CHALLENGE
The first event in the Club Challenge category did not go as expected after the great pre-season tests. Unfortunately, on Thursday’s practice session, the Ford Mustang revealed engine issues, forcing the team into a tough and lengthy effort to make the car available for Schiffer.
On Friday morning, the car was back on the track, and the problems seemed to be solved. However, bad luck struck again. After only 2 laps in the first Club Challenge session, the driver reported a power loss, returned to the pits and was forced to retire. The situation was dire, with the engine and clutch both broken and requiring replacement once again. It became a race against time to prepare for Saturday morning’s qualifying.
EN PRO
The PRO category’s qualifying sessions were marred by the problems faced in the preceding days. Attianese hit the track with the engine and clutch newly replaced but without participating in the essential Free Practice sessions to learn the track. He aimed to achieve the best possible result and would start from P26, second to last on the grid.
Race 1 became a strategic event for the experienced driver, focusing on building a connection with the car and the track without taking unnecessary risks in preparation for Race 2. It was an unusually quiet first round for Attianese, who still managed to gain 2 positions, finishing in P24.
Race 2 promised more action, and indeed, from the early laps, there were contacts and incidents. However, Attianese skillfully avoided a couple of collisions and, with growing confidence on the track, engaged in a few thrilling duels, finishing in P18, marking a complicated weekend for him.
EN 2
Schober finally got behind the wheel on Saturday morning for the EN 2 qualifying session and surprisingly found a great rhythm on a track that wasn’t among his favorites. He would start from P7, achieving his best personal qualifying position in EuroNASCAR.
Race 1 was a heart-stopping spectacle: right from the first lap, Patrick engaged in a fierce duel with Martin Dubek, the 2021 EN 2 champion. The battle was intense, with overtakes and counter-overtakes between the two drivers, making it the main attraction of the race. Only on the penultimate lap Dubek finally overtakes Schober, who finished in P6, showcasing impressive resilience and speed.
Race 2 provided a real test; after Saturday’s superb performance, Schober sought confirmation and had all eyes on him. However, this was not a problem for him but rather a motivation, and confirmation came in full force. First, he overtakes Dombrowski and then went on hunt for Cappelli, engaging in a thrilling duel that lasted several laps. The Race Art driver was no match for Schober’s blistering pace, as Patrick overtook him and secured a final P5. It was an incredible weekend for him, earning him a fantastic P5 also in the overall standings.
