Competing in the V8GP and OPEN series respectively, Gianmarco Ercoli and Beitske Visser vigorously navigated their powerful V8 machines on the challenging Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia – A physical feat that significantly exerted them
- Gianmarco Ercoli suffered from a power steering issues in Sunday’s V8GP race
- Beitske Visser had to overcome the same issues in her first OPEN race
- Both drivers tortured their bodies to become the titans of the NASCAR GP Spain
The NASCAR Euro Series is defined by its raw, unassisted racing experience – no electronic aids, no helpers. The cars demand exceptional skill to master. In the past, rare power steering failures forced drivers to retire early. However, two athletes performed an incredible feat at the 2026 NASCAR GP Spain at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, pushing their bodies to the limit to bring their cars to the checkered flag despite the extreme physical challenge: Gianmarco Ercoli in V8GP and Beitske Visser in OPEN.
Despite a power steering failure on her grid lap, Visser made her NASCAR Euro Series debut with Rehberg + Bremotion Racing on Saturday. The Dutch driver chose to continue the grueling race despite the technical issue, demonstrating immense resilience. Enduring blisters on her hands and a physically draining effort, she managed to cross the finish line in 16th place, setting a best lap time of 1:48.841. The new Lady Trophy contender with the BS+COMPETITION zebra on her car proved to be an unstoppable titan of a driver, overcoming a limitation that would have forced many others to retire early.
The season opener at Valencia saw Ercoli and Visser deliver truly heroic performances. Ercoli, the 2023 champion, was the second driver to be affected, racing in the V8GP on Sunday. Despite a power steering issue on his car, he pushed himself to clock a 1:44.722-lap and finished 12th, limiting the damage and earning valuable points for his title bid.
The Italian had to stop his car immediately after the finish flag due to complete exhaustion, requiring immediate treatment in the medical center. He was released right after the race. They both achieved the impossible, but to truly comprehend: the average five second difference between Ercoli and Visser while having the power steering issues demonstrates Ercoli’s strength and experience, as it’s a simple fact based on the numbers, not a judgment of Visser’s performance.
“Visser is a hero,” Ercoli confessed after the event, showing huge respect to the NASCAR debutant in the OPEN division. At the same time, he explained what happened to him in the second V8GP race: “I’m feeling much better now. During the race, I started to notice the power steering getting a bit stiff in the early laps. After three laps, the pump burst and the steering wheel became completely impossible to turn. When it burst, oil went all over the windscreen, so visibility was zero.”
“I tried to make it to the checkered flag because I know how important even a single point is in this championship, but in the end, I physically gave up — my battery was at zero percent. I couldn’t close my hands because of the pain in my muscles. It was a test of strength I simply had to rise to. We could have secured a second victory.”
The momentum from the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series season opener in Valencia will carry over to France as the series moves to Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet on May 23-24. The titans of the series will rise again in two races per division, aiming to confirm their sheer strength, pace, and assertiveness.
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Bart Dehaese
