Do you have what it takes to beat the reigning V8GP champion Vittorio Ghirelli in the 2027 season? The NASCAR Recruitment Test offers a path for prospective talents to try out the pure racing experience and reach the top of the NASCAR ladder
- Reigning three-time champion Vittorio Ghirelli will face plenty of challengers in 2027
- The NASCAR Recruitment Test offers a path to join the fierce competition
- The program welcomes drivers from all backgrounds to try the pure racing experience
The NASCAR Euro Series has opened its curtains to the 2027 season with a realigned brand identity that affirms the blend of pure American V8 roar and high-level European prestige, six must watch rounds at the best tracks on the Old Continent, and a massive prize incentive on offer to those that can beat the reigning titleholder: Vittorio Ghirelli, the history-making three-time back-to-back champion of V8GP.
Countless adversaries have tried to topple Ghirelli from the moment he took the throne in 2024, but the Italian has continued his reign uninterrupted for three years. His formidable ability to maximize the performance out of his machine while also calculating all the risks down to a minimum was hard to beat, but it was not an impossible task. Ghirelli’s rivals have brought the title race to the Finals in all three of his crown winning seasons and for his upcoming fourth title defense, the Fasano native will face his biggest challenge as of yet.
Not only will there be the return of past challengers, the looming threat of new rivals that will join the NASCAR Euro Series presents an unpredictable variable that could decide the fate of the title battle in 2027. One path for fresh contenders to be able to join the 2027 grid is through the NASCAR Recruitment Test, which will take place on December 10–11, 2026 at the Circuits de Vendee in Fontenay-le-Comte.
The program is the ultimate proving grounds for new and experienced talents alike: Every driver who joins the NASCAR Recruitment Test will be introduced to the 400 horsepower machines with zero driving aids, equal to the specification of the equipment that Ghirelli have in his pocket. With coaching sessions from seasoned drivers and executive meetings with the series organizers and partners, all prospects will be evaluated on equal terms, and the best prospects will be offered with a scholarship to help them secure their entries to the upcoming season.
This established pipeline is open to competitors from all backgrounds. Whether you’re a young talent looking to kickstart their career or a veteran looking to expand their boundaries, everyone is welcomed to join the NASCAR Recruitment Test. If you think you have what it takes to dethrone Ghirelli, then this is the best place to start your journey to the top.
“I strongly recommend the NASCAR Recruitment Program because it offers young and ambitious drivers a real opportunity to enter professional motorsport and prove their talent,” said Ghirelli about the Recruitment Test. “NASCAR is not just about racing. It’s about learning racecraft, developing mental strength, competing in an incredibly challenging environment, and growing as a professional driver. What makes this program special is that it gives drivers from different racing backgrounds the opportunity to showcase their potential and become part of the NASCAR family. Speaking from my own experience, NASCAR has played a huge role in my career, pushing me to become a better driver, a stronger competitor, and ultimately a three-time European Champion. If you have the passion, determination, and hunger to succeed, this is an opportunity I would absolutely recommend.”
All information about the NASCAR Recruitment Test can be found at https://www.nascar.eu/recruitment/.
Feature image by NASCAR Euro Series / Bart Dehaese
