Advait returns to NASCAR Whelen Euro Round 5
Mumbai, 13 Sept. 2018: Indian racer Advait Deodhar will make his return in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series after three successful rounds earlier this year, where he also became the first Indian in history to win in a NASCAR event in Europe.
The 28-year-old from Mumbaikar based in London made his return to competitive racing earlier after a gap of three years winning a scholarship to race in the America’s popular stock car racing’s European arm.
Advait started his season in the Elite Club which he leads by four points from Marcelo Silva. He then made his debut in the Elite 2 class in Round 3. He now returns to compete in both the categories this weekend at Hockenheimring, Germany, the circuit which hosted this year’s Formula 1 race.
The Indian will drive the Ford Mustang for Speedhouse in the Elite Club category to start the weekend and then switch to Dexwet DF1 Racing for the Elite 2 run in the Ford Mustang. Advait will have the backing of London’s Superyacht brokerage, TJB SUPERYACHTS LTD on his cars.
“It is good to be back,” says Advait. “In the Elite Club in the last round, I finished second by the closest of margins. Now I am going for a win to extend my championship lead over Marcelo.
“It was a learning debut weekend at Brands Hatch for me in the Elite 2 category. I showed some promising signs but then I made some big errors that resulted in retirements and a penalty. I was over aggressive,” he admitted.
“The break gave me some time to rethink the strategy and this weekend I’m going in with a calmer mind and not try to win the race on Lap 1 itself. It’s a long race and I need to concentrate and drive smart. With good practice, I aim for a Top-10 result.”
Ever since moving to the United Kingdom, Advait has been looking to make a switch from single-seater to sportscar/touring car racing. In 2016, the Mumbaikar came close to secure a drive in Porsche Carrera Cup GB, but budgetary limitations hampered his return.
The Indian then earned his Elite Club drive after a test run in January at Circuit Fontenay-Le-Comte, France when he was watched on by the NASCAR organisation. Advait became only the first Indian to win a NASCAR event and second Indian to drive in the European championship after a brief run by Sailesh Bolisetti in the 2013 season. India’s first Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan has also raced in NASCAR, but he competed in the NASCAR Truck division in America.
