Nascar eyes US military bases as venues for UK race in ‘Operation Overseas Trojan Horse’
United States military bases in the UK could stage Nascar races as the American motor sport moves towards international expansion.
The North American series – which is being challenged domestically by the increased presence of Formula 1 – has only ever ventured out of the US for point-scoring races in neighbouring Canada and Mexico.
But following a successful race at a naval base in San Diego, Nascar is keen to use the US military’s global network to stage future events, in what is being dubbed Operation Overseas Trojan Horse.
“San Diego on the naval base,” Nascar chief brand officer Tim Clark told Leaders Week at Stamford Bridge, “for us, that is the start of something that I think can be really meaningful for our business.
“Our intention is to now start migrating that race around, to move that around to different military installations.
“That also gives us a tremendous opportunity to expand internationally. So where there are United States military installations all over the world, those are leading candidates.
“Domestically it’s a big opportunity. Internationally [it’s] huge.”
Nascar at RAF Fairford?
The US has a strong military presence across the UK, with operational bases in Suffolk – at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall – and in Gloucestershire at RAF Fairford, albeit the US recently pulled its airfleet out of the site just weeks after a security threat in the area.
Beyond that there are support settlements across Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Yorkshire and Norfolk, with satellite areas in Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
More globally there are major bases in the likes of Japan, Qatar, continental Europe and Djibouti.
Nascar remains a huge brand across North America but is being pinned into the continent by Formula 1, which has ballooned in worldwide popularity recent years.
The premier motor racing series currently holds three races in the US – in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas – while there are also grands prix in Canada and Mexico.
Brands Hatch had been touted as a potential UK Nascar race host in recent years.