The old world could use a new breed of racing - Pace Lap - Brief Article

Auto Racing Digest, Oct-Nov, 2002 by Scott Plagenhoef

WHEN FORMULA ONE announced its 2003 schedule, the news was that there was no news. A few Grand Prix were shuffled around, but there weren't any new venues added to the calendar. In the next few years, however, there could be some enormous changes, and the potential shifts will likely result in a continued loss of F1 events in its hub, Western Europe.

F1 head Bernie Ecclestone has already announced that Moscow--with a track in its Nagatino district expected to be completed in March 2003--would likely join the 2004 schedule. Countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates are also competing for spots on the F1 calendar. And China--and its more than one billion citizens--will eventually become a tempting destination for F1, as well.

This march toward global motor sports dominance is a coup for F1. Ironically, it could also be beneficial for NASCAR.

Every F1 move to new location will likely result the cancellation of either a race in Europe, where it currently runs 11 of its 17 Grand Prix, or the one in the U.S., where it is less popular. With NASCAR hoping to open up some overseas markets for its product, the departure of F1 European events could provide a chance to turn the heads of increasingly race-starved fans.

The call for a one-off, European-based addition to the current Winston Cup schedule is unwise. NASCAR is turning down worthy tracks in the U.S.--and its most exotic Cup locale is Las Vegas. Instead, the series should think big, take advantage of race-starved continental fans, and introduce a European-based stock car circuit.

NASCAR critics may scoff that the boxy stock car wouldn't be a big hit outside of the U.S., but the popularity of Rally Racing proves that sleek isn't a prerequisite for audience interest in Europe.

Critics also claim that a NASCAR division in the Old World--or even one in England or Germany--would carry the stench of NFL Europe. But that sport is complicated, with a difficult set of rules to learn, and has no relevance to or place in European culture. A NASCAR Europe wouldn't have these problems. NASCAR officials wouldn't need to educate a European audience, just convince the motor sports lovers there to take a chance on another type of racing.

The key would be not to expect to outdo F1, but to accept a subservient role. With young North Americans increasingly moving between stock to open-wheel cars, a NASCAR Europe could prove to be a valuable option for driver development in the Old World. And if down the road a top European driver chooses stock cars over open-wheelers, NASCAR could wind up with its own Ichiro Sukuzi, a beloved star who single-handedly opens up a new market for its American-based product.

In the long run, NASCAR isn't likely to translate to places such as Egypt or Malaysia. And it isn't going to threaten F1's European popularity, either. It could, however, provide a welcome motor sports fix for an increasingly Americanized continent.