FEBRUARY 8, 2007

NASCAR invading F1 space

The Formula One does not have the same imagination as those creative souls in NASCAR. The US stock car series may not have any races outside North America but they recognise an opportunity when it comes along and has offered members of the Royal Shakespeare Company the opportunity to experience the thrill of Nextel Cup racing at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte.

The RSC is touring in the US and is performing at the nearby Davidson College and the theatrical luvvies are being given the chance to experience the thrill of the Richard Petty Driving Experience at speeds up to 150 mph. About sixty-five actors, educators and technicians are scheduled to drive and ride around the 1.5-mile superspeedway.

Given that the RSC is based in Stratford-upon-Avon, not far from Silverstone, one has to ask - once again - whether F1 is ever going to get around the doing anything to promote the sport or whether, before too long, NASCAR will have signage on the roads leading to F1 races around the world.