The first two legs of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series’ Drivers Recruitment Program at the french testing track in Fontenay Le Comte took place in november and december. 35 drivers from 14 different countries participated in the program so far. One of the drivers invited for the second leg was the finnish driver Santtu Vuoksenturja.
It was the second time that the young Finn had the chance to test the cars of the EuroNASCAR. After his first test in 2018, he became part of the finnish team RacinGPalvelu and started in the V8 Thunder NEZ where he replaced his fellow countryman Ian Eric Wadén. “I applied for the Drivers Recruitment Program, because my first season in the V8 Thunder NEZ suited me well. And I got the invitation from Jerome Galpin for the test in France”, the 26 year old Finn commented to Threewide.
Each of the first two legs lasted two days. The drivers had the chance to try different cars of the EuroNASCAR and had been support by the organisation of the NWES as well as by the NWES driver and team owner Lucas Lasserre. The most promising drivers may get a scholarship for the upcoming season of the EuroNASCAR.The different types of scholarship are not only eligible for extremely talented young drivers, but also for female or gentleman drivers. The financial support starts at 7500 €, which correlates with the entry fee for a season in the EuroNASCAR, the highest support is about 45 000 €, about half the budget of a whole season.
Santtu Vuoksenturja was extremely thrilled with the test days in France. “The tests had been extremel well organized. I was able to try two different cars, of which the setup of the second worked better with me. One part was in wet conditions and on rain tires. Even in that conditions the car was great and the run was on point”, Vuoksenturja said.
Afterwards, the president of the NWES confirmed Vuoksenturja’s good impression. “In a conversation with Jerome Galpin he told me, that I had been elected for a scholarship. I’d like to use this interview to once again thank him for his confidence in me!” , said Vuoksenturja. He was given a proposal of 3 teams, where he might get a seat for 2020.
Santtu Vuoksenturjas primary goal for 2020 is to be able to drive the whole season in the EuroNASCAR. If everything works out right with his sponsors, he has an ambitious goal for his future: “If everything works out as planned, my goal is to drive in the US NASCAR within 3 years.”
