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Edition

Australia
Special feature

Frederic Gabillon still searching for first championship

The Uzes, France native is making most of his opportunity to drive in NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.

Frédéric Gabillon

Frédéric Gabillon

NASCAR Media

Frederic Gabillon, Hugo Bec, RDV Compétition, Ford Mustang
Frédéric Gabillon
Frédéric Gabillon
Frédéric Gabillon
Sunday ELITE race podium – L-R : Willy Boucenna, Frédéric Gabillon, Yann Zimmer

One of the fastest growing race series in NASCAR is the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. Drivers from all across Europe are making this young series one of the most popular and entertaining series sanctioned by the Daytona Beach, Florida, USA company that is known for producing the best stock car racing in the world.

Motorsport.com will be featuring drivers from the Whelen Euro Series throughout the season to give fans an opportunity to get to know their favorite driver a little better and know more about them on and off the race track.

The ‘Getting to know’ feature will highlight drivers in both the Elite 1 and Elite 2 divisions. The first driver to be highlighted in this new feature is Frederic Gabillon.

Career Highlights: 

2016 Finished second NASCAR Whelen Euro Series – Elite

2013 Finished second NASCAR Whelen Euro Series – Elite

2003 Finished second Clio Speed Trophy

2002 Finished third Renault Sport Clio Trophy

1999 Won the Marlboro ELF Renault Mégane Trophy

Gabillon debuted in the series in 2013 and leads all active NWES drivers in wins with nine – five of those came on ovals (4 Tours, 1 Venray). 

1. How long have you been racing and what was the first race you competed in and what kind of car did you drive?

"After karting, my first racing car was a Catheram in 1994 in the French Catheram Cup, then I drove Formula Campus, Formula Renault, Formula Ford, Clio Cup, Megane Cup, four years of Clio V6, Porsche Carrera Cup, Mercedes and Dodge in GT and now in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series."

2. How long have you been competing in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series?

"2017 is my fifth full season in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, I’ve finished second twice in the final points standings (2013 and 2016) and now it’s time to win!"

3. What made you decide to compete in the NWES?

"I wanted to be back in stock car racing after racing GTs because it wasn’t fun anymore and there was too much electronics involved. I wanted to drive my own car and in a Series in which the driver can really make a difference. The first time I drove in NASCAR I was smiling inside my helmet. The gearbox is fantastic for me, it was the same I used in Formula Renault and despite being an H-pattern, it is as fast as a sequential gearbox and it’s so fun to drive. You need to master the technique to be fast, do the heel-and-toe shifting and so on. It’s much more technical than with electronics, and a driver can make a difference behind the wheel."

4. What makes being a part of the NWES special to you?

"It’s special because NASCAR is one great family, even if we are race on the other side of the ocean. It’s fantastic to always have American representatives at the track and also be able to race on ovals for the first time. We go to Charlotte for the annual awards banquet and the great relationship with NASCAR in the US makes it easier for us to go to the US and find good opportunities to race."

5. How have your fans responded to you being a part of NASCAR in Europe?

"All my fans and friends really love what we are doing, even if it’s pretty difficult to have the media’s attention when you’re not racing in Formula 1 in Europe. The NWES organization is based in France, but it’s really hard to break through with the general media. That’s true for motorsport in general though, we have great drivers that have won at Le Mans multiple times, but the general public is not aware of them."

6. What or where is your favorite track on the schedule?

"Overall my favorite track is Tours Speedway, I won four times there and I really hope it will be back in the NWES schedule one day.  Among the tracks we have in the calendar this year, I’ll say Valencia. It has a wide variety of corners, in many of them you have to brake while turning while turning the steering wheel and it is difficult to put together a lap with no mistakes. Plus it’s great for the fans, because you can see all of the track from the grandstands, like in a big stadium.  I like all the tracks we go to this year, anyway."

7. Do you have any hobbies outside of racing?

"I don’t have a lot of free time, but I play a lot of squash and as soon as I can, I love going to Senegal with my friends to spend some days fishing at sea. We catch some beautiful Blue Marlins and Sail Fishes. What we like is the battle, so we release most of them."

8. If you weren't a race car driver, what do you think you would do instead of racing for a career?

"I never asked myself this because since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a racecar driver. I really don’t know, but maybe I’d like to work with animals. I have a lot of turtles and a parrot, a Grey Of Gabon named Sam. He’s a little mean to me though, he’s hurt me a lot of times (laughs)."

9. Who has been the biggest influence in your life and/or racing career?

"For sure it is my father. Racing has always been something between us and it will always be. He supports me all the time and works really hard to find sponsorship for me. I couldn’t race without him, it is OUR career, not just my career."

10. Tell me something about you that would surprise your fans?

"I’ve never gotten hurt inside a race car, but a lot of times outside. I’m clumsy outside the car. I fall while walking and things like that. I’ve had more than 100 stitches on my body and 10 scars on my face and not a single one came from racing.  I should go around in racing suit and helmet ahah!"

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Edition

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