Vladimiros Tziortzis credited the NASCAR Recruitment Test for establishing his presence in international motorsport – The Cypriot is one of the most successful graduates with multiple wins and seven years of experience under his belt
- Vladimiros Tziortzis built a long lasting legacy with the help of NASCAR Recruitment Test
- The Cypriot won the scholarship in 2020 and progressed through the ladder with his strong talents
- The 29-year old rejuvenated his success after a strong seventh season with Speedhouse
The NASCAR Recruitment Test is committed to provide drivers from all backgrounds with a chance to test and experience the V8 machines that powered the NASCAR Euro Series. The scholarship that is on offer to the best graduates is ideal for top drivers aiming to compete at the highest level and young talents eager to make the next step in their careers, but it can also help experienced contenders to continue their adventure at a cost-efficient level. Vladimiros Tziortzis, who completed his seventh year of competition in 2026, fits the bill for this latter category.
The Cypriot treaded his way through junior single seater championships after he graduated from karting in 2016, but after a few years he came to a conclusion: The cost to progress up the open-wheel ladder was too high. Seeking a cost-efficient championship with international prestige, Tziortzis discovered the 2020 NASCAR Recruitment Test and took part in the evaluation at Circuits de Vendee. The weather on the day was challenging, but he made a lasting impression and was selected for a scholarship to compete in V8Open.
“It saved my life because I was not able to continue in single seaters,” Tziortzis said. “I came across the NASCAR Recruitment Test online and applied to it. I took the opportunity to fly alone and test the car under heavy rain and I managed to be one of the drivers with a scholarship for my first season in 2020.”
Tziortzis’ first season was one for the ages: Under the watchful eyes of Alex Caffi, who took Tziortzis under his tutelage at Alex Caffi Motorsport, the Cypriot finished fourth in the standings with two podiums in the Finals at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Spain. Alex Caffi Motorsport’s evolution to Academy / Alex Caffi Motorsport accelerated Tziortzis’ development in his sophomore season, allowing him to secure five more podiums and his maiden V8Open Pole Award in the NASCAR GP Belgium.
2022 is where Tziortzis truly evolved: A historic first win in Spain started a triple threat between him, Liam Hezemans and Alberto Naska for the V8Open title. Hezemans clinched the crown, but the Cypriot went one step ahead in 2023: Five wins in the first seven races put Tziortzis in commanding lead of the championship, but mechanical gremlins in the important second half of the season – where double points Playoffs can turn the tides of the battle – cost him the title to Paul Jouffreau.
In the same year, he also made one of the most spectacular V8GP debuts in history: Tziortzis claimed the Pole Award in not only V8GP, but also on V8Open in Spain, making him the first driver to sweep the Pole Award in both divisions of NASCAR Euro Series. This sets up the Cypriot’s long lasting battle against the elites, where he established himself as a fierce contender with the Speedhouse team led by the legendary figure Lucas Lasserre. A return to his roots in 2026, where he ran both V8GP and V8Open with the #6 Ford Mustang, has rejuvenated his quest for the title and with the 2027 season fast approaching, the 29-year old will be one of the ones to watch.
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Bart Dehaese
