There will be women’s power in the 2019 ELITE 1 season of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Dexwet-df1 Racing has signed with former DTM race driver Ellen Lohr for the 2019 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (NWES).
The elective Monegasque will drive the #99 Dexwet-df1 Racing Chevrolet Camaro in the coming season. Last Friday the experienced driver signed the contract with the factory team of the filter specialist Dexwet in the Salzkammergut at Bad Ischl.
“Lohr looks back on a successful professional motorsport career. In 31 years she became an allrounder in motorsports and has made a name for herself with Mercedes, especially in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM). She is the only woman in the history of the popular series to have won a race. In 2019 she will face a new challenge with her involvement in EuroNASCAR.”
„Dexwet-df1 Racing Motorsport boss Norbert Walchhofer approached me at exactly the right time,“said Lohr, who had actually retired from racing after the 2016 season. „In Zolder I took a look at the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. Then pieces simply fitted. The racing gene and passion never die.
This is the chance to do old-school racing at a high level. When I saw how 30 cars with big V8 engines thundered past me at the flying start, it was actually clear that I wanted to do that.“
„I also chose EuroNASCAR because the team convinced me that it really wanted me and I just like this kind of motorsport,“ Lohr continued. „Here you still have to work really hard in the car and I really like that.
Lohr sets high goals for her NWES debut season: „What we achieve depends on several factors. The team will give everything, as it already shows. During the winter break the cars were on the dnyo and completely rebuilt. Our goal can only be to finish on the podium. I certainly won’t be able to keep up with the front runners right from the start, that would be a miracle, but the ambition to be at the front is of course there. Otherwise I wouldn’t do that. That’s why a multi-year contract was signed.“
Walchhofer said: „I’m especially happy that Ellen has signed with us and will start for the Dexwetdf1 Racing factory team. We’ve known each other for many years and that’s why it’s so special to welcome her to our team.“ The Dexwet AG was represented at the signing ceremony by board members, including Dexwet CFO Alexander Wiesmüller. David Zwilling was also present. The Austrian Ski Downhill World Champion of 1974 presented Ellen Lohr with his new book as a gift.
In February Lohr will complete first tests in the #99 Chevrolet Camaro. After Nathalie Maillet, Lohr is only the second woman in the history of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series to compete in the ELITE 1 division full-time.
The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series made its debut in 2009. Since the 2012 season, the
championship has been held under the official NASCAR banner. In the USA, NASCAR is one of the biggest events in racing. Stockcars are driven by a V8 engine with 400 horsepower. Another special feature is the four gears transmission, which is operated with a manual H-shift. Two races will be held in each division – the ELITE 1 and 2 – per race weekend.
In the 2019 season, the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series will be head to seven racetracks for the first time. The kick-off will take place on 13-14 April in Valencia, Spain. The second round is scheduled on 11-12 May in Franciacorta. The successful event at Brands Hatch will take place on 1-2 June. Next stop is Most in the Czech Republic on 30th June and 1st July, where the NWES will make its debut. On 13-14 July the NWES will return to the oval at the Raceway Venray. The semi-final will take place on 21-22 September at the Hockenheimring, Germany. The champions will be crowned on 5-6 October in Zolder, Belgium.
More info! www.dexwet-df1racing.com