Sven van Laere will not return to racing – The Belgian will focus on his son’s motorsports career
NASCAR Whelen Euro Series driver Sven van Laere is retiring from active racing with immediate effect. The Belgian is suffering from medical issues and will not return to the cockpit, ending his career and his 2024 EuroNASCAR 2 campaign early. The CAAL Racing driver will focus on supporting his son’s motorsports career and will remain a part of the European paddocks. Van Laere has been involved in racing for more than 27 years and has been competing in EuroNASCAR since 2019, fighting for honors in the Legend Trophy.
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the end of my active motorsport career due to medical reasons,” the Zoersel native wrote on social media. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to be part of the motorsport community for more than 27 years. As an active gentleman driver, I had the opportunity to compete against some of the greatest drivers on a national and international level. Drivers who made their names in the past, who are making their names in the present, and who will make their names in the future.”
Van Laere praised sharing the track with EuroNASCAR legends Marc Goossens, Gianmarco Ercoli, Lucas Lasserre, Max Lanza, Michael Bleekemolen and many more. The Belgian said: “Over the years, I have had the honor of competing in some great championships. Perhaps the best of them all, because it’s more than just a championship, was the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series run by the Galpin family. Not only the championships, but also the teams created great memories. Among them is my Italian motorsports family, CAAL Racing. It’s the team I drove for the last two seasons. This will always put a big smile on my face, grazie mille!”
Van Laere will not be turning his back on motorsports as his son Maxim van Laere takes his first steps in racing featuring the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series colors on his go-kart. Sven will be supporting his son in karting and the proud father hopes that Maxim will make his way and build a strong racing career. “I will enjoy the races from the sidelines.” One of the finest gentleman drivers in the paddock, Sven van Laere will certainly be missed as a respectful, fast, friendly and supportive competitor.
Featured image by NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Nina Weinbrenner
