LOUDON, New Hampshire (USA) - Thursday, September 20. Day two was of particular importance to Eric Hélary who visited the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon for the first time. After being awarded the precious document confirming him as a NASCAR driver, he attended the first briefings under his new status. The goal now is to qualify for Saturday’s G-Oil 100 K&N Pro Series race held this Saturday (22 September) on the eve of the Sprint Cup round. For the 2011 EURO-RACECAR champion the pressure has just gone up a notch.
What was on the menu for day two?
This morning we travelled from North Haverhill to Loudon, and the day passed quickly. There were many things to do: briefings, administrative checks etc. Because of different regulations my boots and helmet were not homologated, a problem that had to be solved. After that I finally got to discover the track for the first time.
What were your impressions of the 1-mile (1.609km) oval?
The lap was very impressive. In my mind’s eye I imagined it to be like the ‘friendly’ oval at Tours, but this is not going to be the same story! We went around in a car with my crew chief Mike Olsen and I can already say that it will be very quick. You need to use theslipstream to build up your speed. We will have to work hard in order to have a good car from the start, before preparing ourselves for qualifying.
40 drivers are entered this weekend but only 32 will qualify based on their lap times for the G-Oil 100, along with four others who have a guaranteed place on the grid. On the eve of D-Day, when you take to the track for the fist time, how will you be approaching the challenge?
I must admit that I am tenser nowthan when I first arrived. Qualifying shouldn’t be a problem but it will not be easy. Against drivers who know this oval by heart my two-lap qualifying runwill take place after just 90 minutes of free practice in the morning. And as we are the first out before the Sprint Cup, all the drivers will be very excited and their cars particularly well prepared. All will be eager to impress. My first challenge is to qualify!
Follow Eric Hélary in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East!
EURO-RACECAR NASCAR Touring Series
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