Mowlem: US racing more fan-friendly

Mowlem, who has been racing in the American Le Mans Series for the past six years, particularly complimented American organisers for putting the spectators first when it comes to holding motorsport events.

"In America, they have a different approach," Mowlem said at the Autosport International Show.

"They want to get the spectators on the edge of the track, and as close as possible. Then they think about how to keep them safe, so they put a concrete wall to protect them, which isn't always great for drivers.

"But the Americans know how to sell their sport, they are much quicker to put their money where their mouths are and have good marketing, and [the sport] is really aimed at what it can offer the spectators.

"If you went to a [Formula One] Grand Prix, you would be lucky to see a driver - let alone speak to one. But in something like GrandAm you could meet Tony Stewart, NASCAR Nextel Cup champion, and he will be sitting in front of you and signing what ever you want within reason."

Mowlem will continue to race in the US this season with Team HLM's Grand AM programme, running in an Infiniti G35, which is one of the first of the GT cars run to the Grand Am rules with a tubeframe chassis.

The car has been designed by crack sportscar squad Crawford using a Menard 4.5 litre engine.