A unique view of the Sprint Cup
LOUDON, New Hampshire (USA) – Sunday 23 September. Though the NASCAR K&N Pro Series teams had vacated their garages at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Eric Hélary remained in situ to watch the top-tier Sprint Cup event at the Loudon venue. It was to be the final stage in the 2011 EURO-RACECAR champion's NASCAR education.
Visiting the paddock, meeting the drivers and then following the race from a VIP box at the invitation of series organisers, Hélary could not have dreamt of a better way to enjoy the pinnacle of NASCAR competition, the Sprint Cup. Following the Sylvania 300, won by Denny Hamlin aboard the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, the 1993 Le Mans 24 Hours winner was understandably enthused. "It was just great," he exclaimed after the race, during which he was able to monitor his K&N Pro Series crew chief Mike Olsen, who was driving the #32 FAS Lane Racing Ford at New Hampshire. "To help me experience the race from the inside, they provided equipment to listen to the spotters and crew chiefs and to watch the various competitors. You don’t miss any of the action!"
Despite a motorsport career spanning more than three decades, during which he has contested several events on American soil, Hélary had never seen such methods first hand. Of course,close working relationships are essential in a 36-race season. "They do this all year long," he continued. "The mechanics don't make mistakes, everyone knows their job and they do all they can to finish theirwork in good time, because the garages are locked up at 5pm. I've rarely seen such discipline."
Like any motorsport enthusiast enjoying their first visit to a speedway, Hélary was struck by the unique atmosphere amongst the teams and within the 150,000-strong crowd. "The mood in the garages is an amazing experience for a European. On-track it's war, but it's far more relaxed off it. Pit boxes are installed next to each other, drivers from the same team don’t share a garage and there is no partition between the crews. Nobody is trying to hide their set-up. It's almost surreal," he laughed.
The Sylvania 300 brought the curtain down on the 2011 EURO-RACECAR champion's American odyssey. Though disappointed by his failure to qualify for Saturday’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event, Hélary was excited by the new experiences he enjoyed during theweek. Upon his return to Europe, he will resume his role of team manager atStill Racing and head to Spanish circuit Valencia for the semi-finals of the 2012 EURO-RACECAR NASCAR Touring Series (28-30 September).
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