Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

James Nash sure World Touring Car Championship can crack American market

Arena Ford driver James Nash is confident the World Touring Car Championship can engage with American spectators in its maiden visit to the United States at Sonoma this weekend

Nash gained insight into the circuit, and the WTCC's possible reception, when he accompanied SEAT drivers Tiago Monteiro and Gabriele Tarquini to Sonoma's NASCAR meeting in June.

The Briton is realistic about the timescale it will take for the WTCC to establish itself in America, but is adamant the move will be an astute one for championship.

"I think for WTCC it will be a slow burn," said Nash. "It will be two or three years before the crowds build, but certainly for me and Ford it is the sort of area we want to be in. It is ideal for us."

Despite the considerable differences between the series, Nash felt there were elements of NASCAR's presentation and promotion that the WTCC should aspire to emulate.

"Watching NASCAR as an event demonstrates what the WTCC should aim for, because it is a huge event," said Nash. "What the WTCC is doing with Twitter and social media should accelerate the process.

"There was a lot of interest for WTCC out there, but whether that translates into ticket sales I don't know. One thing America seems to be very good at, and I'm not sure if this is just NASCAR, is getting behind the whole thing and really supporting it.

"I just hope the interest that seemed to be there in June turns into actual spectator numbers."

Unlike NASCAR, the WTCC will use the infield section of Sonoma. The British Touring Car graduate believes overtaking will be particularly hard-fought.

"I had a couple of laps and did get to see where the track went," said Nash. "It's a fantastic place and a good addition to the calendar. It will definitely provide good racing. It is quite an undulating track, but it looks fairly hard to overtake so it is likely to be a round where you have to force mistakes on others to overtake."

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Gabriele Tarquini hopes for five Hondas on 2013 WTCC grid
Next article Sonoma WTCC: Alex MacDowall surprise testing pacesetter

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe