NASCAR for UK?

**Snapper Baz** · 22 Nov 2002, 22:38 (Ref:435037)

Talking to a NASCAR diecast dealer in Orlando last week he said that NASCAR are going to dump the Japanese race for 2004 and race in the UK (Rockingham presumably)for sure. I havn't read my copies of NASCAR Illustrated/Winston Cup Scene I picked up whilst there last week so maybe Iv'e missed something-has anybody else heard this news?

Russfeld · 23 Nov 2002, 06:53 (Ref:435136)

what Japanese race...

RaceFanStan · 23 Nov 2002, 15:22 (Ref:435320)

I think the last time that NASCAR went to Japan was 1998 or 1999.
If memory serves, Mike Skinner won the last race in Japan.

Memory is a little "foggy", (too much alcohol, burp) lol.

Russfeld · 23 Nov 2002, 21:44 (Ref:435475)

Yeah thats what I thought too, so why are they talking about 2004?

**Snapper Baz** · 23 Nov 2002, 22:31 (Ref:435502)

Sorry, but it should have read that NASCAR wont race in Japan again and may aim at the UK for 2004...anyway, it all sounds a bit far fetched to me!

RaceFanStan · 24 Nov 2002, 14:13 (Ref:435792)

Quote:

Originally posted by Snapper Baz
Sorry, but it should have read that NASCAR wont race in Japan again and may aim at the UK for 2004...anyway, it all sounds a bit far fetched to me!

Sounds like "wishful thinking" to me.
It's obvious that NASCAR wants to go international.
I believe it could happen, maybe it's in the negotiation stages.

Chris Gray · 25 Nov 2002, 10:59 (Ref:436263)

Weren't they concerned about the costs last time?

Joe Fan · 25 Nov 2002, 16:47 (Ref:436517)

Actually I wouldn't be too surprised to see NASCAR race in the UK. The Winston West series raced in Japan a few years back and if ASCAR draws well at Rockingham, it could happen.

Russfeld · 25 Nov 2002, 17:22 (Ref:436534)

Im not too optimistic. CART was a failure on ovals in Europe, and the Euros are much more Indycar inclined than NASCAR.

Joe Fan · 26 Nov 2002, 14:20 (Ref:437224)

Does anyone know what kind of attendance the ASCAR events have been getting lately?

Muppet · 26 Nov 2002, 19:06 (Ref:437419)

About 20,000+ at best.

The BTCC which is the UK's top national racing attraction gets more or less that figure. ASCAR bosses want 30,000+ next year.

Rockingham can seat 52,000

Joe Fan · 27 Nov 2002, 18:08 (Ref:438094)

Thanks Muppet. I am sure NASCAR would race at Rockingham if somebody stepped up to the plate but I doubt that anyone would be willing to pay NASCAR the fee required to race there unless they were certain that it would be a near sellout.

Muppet · 27 Nov 2002, 18:19 (Ref:438106)

NASCAR awareness outside motorsport circles in the UK is non existant. Apart from that Tom Cruise film most people wouldn't know Jeff Gordon if he stood in front of them wearing a T-Shirt with "I'm Jeff Gordon - NASCAR superstar" on it.

Can someone at NASCAR TV push for more airtime over here?

;-)

**Snapper Baz** · 27 Nov 2002, 21:00 (Ref:438224)

Muppet, I understand it's being looked into at this very moment by an enthusiastic UK PR team-fingers crossed!

Joe Fan · 27 Nov 2002, 21:37 (Ref:438257)

Quote:

Originally posted by Muppet
NASCAR awareness outside motorsport circles in the UK is non existant. Apart from that Tom Cruise film most people wouldn't know Jeff Gordon if he stood in front of them wearing a T-Shirt with "I'm Jeff Gordon - NASCAR superstar" on it.

It was about the same here in the U.S. until F1 returned to Indy. I don't know if this is true but I read somewhere that a few years ago, Michael Schumacher was in Texas and was going to do some sort of Richard Petty driving experience at Texas Speedway. Apparently there were about 50 people around and nobody recognized him. Then he found it was going to be too long of a wait to get on the track so he left.

As far as the Tom Cruise movie "Days of Thunder," that is a crappy movie that played up all the negative Good ole Boy stereotypes of stock car racing from way back. If this is what I thought NASCAR was about, I wouldn't bother going to see a NASCAR either.

The only thing remotely good about "Days of Thunder" was some of the in-car camera shots.

Russfeld · 28 Nov 2002, 02:50 (Ref:438397)

The Britney movie is going to make Days of Thunder look like Grand Prix

Muppet · 1 Dec 2002, 10:17 (Ref:440406)

I'm not sure Winston Cup or Busch GN would want to race outside the US. It would mean disrupting the season while they ship all the cars, etc.

It may sound crazy but NASCAR could set up a World Tour featuring some big names, up and coming drivers and possibly local drivers. There are ovals in UK, Germany, Belgium (3/4 mile expected in 2004 hopefully), South Africa, Japan, Australia, Brazil, etc. Base it in the USA to make up the number of races and appeal to the US market too.

First, NASCAR should spend a couple of years building the TV outside the USA then a World Tour could be a success.

Down F0rce · 1 Dec 2002, 13:16 (Ref:440498)

Quote:

Originally posted by Russfeld
The Britney movie is going to make Days of Thunder look like Grand Prix

Briteny wil make NASCAR look baaaaaaaaad. she cant sing, she cant act...

**Snapper Baz** · 1 Dec 2002, 21:16 (Ref:440736)

Couldn't she be "Miss Winston Cup" though...OOOOOh Baby!

muggle not · 1 Dec 2002, 21:40 (Ref:440754)

There are only so many months in a year, when will they find time for a world tour. Drivers need SOME time off. Except for Tony Stewart....seems like he is always racing.

Tony took a hard hit in the "Turkey Night" midget race. Another driver had his throttle stick and rammed Tony from behind and put him hard into the wall. It looked like Tony was unconscious for a little bit but then got out and was put in the medical vehicle.

Lee Roy · 2 Dec 2002, 04:49 (Ref:440897)

From mid February until mid November, NASCAR Winston Cup has three weekends off. Easter, Mother's Day, and one weekend in July. There is a track currently sueing NASCAR for a second date.

The chance of a NASCAR Winston Cup race in the UK is probably next to zero (of course, in my humble opinion). But if they ever do, I'm going to plan a visit to my friends outside of Newcastle at that time.

Muppet · 2 Dec 2002, 18:19 (Ref:441295)

I thought of a World Tour being a "Masters" event run in parallel with all the other NASCAR series. Winston Cup seems to have an influx of young drivers. The older ones should have somewhere to go. ;-)

bcobbus · 4 Dec 2002, 08:55 (Ref:442355)

So kind of like an old folks home for NASCAR drivers? I would love to see Mark Martin and his bonner pill car represent the US around the world!

NASCAR is already over committed as of now with so many races. Maybe some tracks with two dates on the calander should be forced to drop at date. And NASCAR should stop racing st these stupid 1.5 mile Tri-Ovals. The best races are on shortracks!

Lee Roy · 4 Dec 2002, 12:44 (Ref:442502)

Quote:

Originally posted by bcobbus
Maybe some tracks with two dates on the calander should be forced to drop at date.

And just who would force NASCAR to drop those dates?

Muppet · 4 Dec 2002, 18:46 (Ref:442716)

>So kind of like an old folks home for NASCAR drivers?

Yes! ;-)

We want to see Martin, Schrader, Rudd - maybe even put DW in a car!

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