Michelin renews European NASCAR partnership

Michelin has renewed its commitment to the NASCAR Whelen Euro-Series (the new name for the former Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series). The tyre maker has been involved in the US-imported championship since 2009 as technical partner and tyre supplier, and has developed two tyres for the mechanically uncomplicated cars used in NASCAR. These are the Michelin S9C slick (33/70-15) and P2E rain tyre (33/70-15).

As the cars competing in the NASCAR Whelen Euro-Series are identical to their American counterparts, the Michelin tyres are tall and wide and feature 16cm sidewalls. An absence of electronic aids on the heavy, 400hp or greater cars means an additional emphasis is placed upon the rubber. Regulations permit just one set of tyres per meeting, which including practice, qualifying and the race itself involves some three hours of track time. Therefore both grip and longevity are demanded from the Michelin-supplied tyres. 

For a total campaign, each car and driver requires just 24 tyres – which equates to a total of 600 tyres for the season. “This series is important for Michelin because it fits with our perception of responsible motorsport, with capped tyre allocations at each meeting,” comments Philippe Mussati, director of Michelin Motorsport’s Customer Competition Department. “This reasoned approach to motorsport makes sense to the teams, organisers, partners and spectators, while also being good for the environment.” 

The NASCAR Whelen Euro-Series takes place at both conventional race tracks and 600-metre long ovals with nine-degree banking (such as Tours, France). As a result, Michelin must supply versatile tyres that provide the expected level of performance at all venues. “We faced several technical challenges when designing the tyres for the NASCAR Whelen Euro-Series,” Mussati explains. “First of all, the cars are highly specific in terms of their weight, power output, suspension and absence of electronic aids. Their tyres must therefore take these constraints into account to deliver the required grip, longevity and competitiveness. This fits perfectly with the ‘Michelin Total Performance’ research and development strategy which seeks to take performance forward on all these fronts at the same time.

“Another challenge was the variety of track layouts and surfaces visited in the course of the season,” he continues. “This variety is another complex parameter when it comes to ensuring performance and longevity. Michelin has taken all these factors into account to develop a slick and a rain tyre that are an ideal match for the demands of NASCAR racing in Europe.”

Michelin says it views its partnership with the NASCAR Whelen Euro-Series as “a way to ensure the long-term future in Europe of the machinery seen in the American series.” The tyre maker adds that it has closely collaborated with the series organisers since 2009 in areas such as tyre cost, aiming to meet both the requirements of competitors and ensure the series is affordable.