NASCAR Mexico T4 Series
Encyclopedia
The NASCAR Mexico T4 Series is a semi-professional
four-cylinder racing series in Mexico
. It is promoted and sanctioned by NASCAR Mexico
, the Mexico City
-based NASCAR
office.
The T4 Series features the largest grid in Mexican motor sports, with more than 30 teams running full-time and a few others doing a limited schedule. It is also notorious for the diversity of its drivers. As the series allows drivers to debut at age 15, several young Mexican talents are choosing the T4 Series to start their NASCAR
careers. On the other hand, there are several 40-something drivers who have been racing in the series since it began in 1994.
The series runs a 10-race schedule from April to November. Races are shown live on AYM Sports, a Mexican sport-related satellite TV station available in Mexico, Central America, and the south of the United States.
cars competing in one-hour timed events. Two drivers (usually an expert and a rookie) would share every car, each one driving one half of the race.
The idea worked well for several years. Having a relatively inexpensive racecar and two drivers sharing the cost every race allowed to have a massive participation, with grids often exceeding 50 cars. It also proved to be a good learning ground for young drivers new to racing.
series was founded. OCESA, the promoter of the new series included the Dodge Neon cars as one of their three categories, with the Stock Car series (now NASCAR Mexico Corona Series) being the premier series. The Reto Neon became the T4 Series. In 2005 it was known as Lotto T4 Series, after the Italian sportswear firm decided to sponsor the series for that year.
In 2006, when it was made evident that NASCAR
was considering to include the Desafío Corona
as one of their international divisions, the T4 Series underwent several changes as it was adapted to the NASCAR
format. The most notable changes were the introduction of pit stops, the allowance of only one driver per car, and a schedule that consisted entirely of oval tracks. In addition to this, standard NASCAR rules, such as the Beneficiary rule (commonly known as "Lucky Dog
" or "Free Pass"), green-white-checker finish
es, and double-file restarts established. Also, it became a multi-manufacturer series, with the inclusion of the Chevrolet Astra
in addition to the Neon.
A period of transition started in 2007, with the release of a new car spec. The new "Mini Stock car", as it is called, is a Rear-wheel drive car (as opposed to the FWD
Dodge Neon), and it features most of the elements of the larger stock cars (such as transmission, suspension, brakes, etc.), while keeping the 4-cylinder engine.
In theory, the Mini Stock car is designed to offer a performance very similar to the old T4 chassis. While teams are being encouraged to switch to the new car, those not wanting to do so are being grandfathered
in the series.
in Puebla
. The schedule consists of 10 races, all of which will serve as the opening for double-feature race weekends along with the NASCAR Mexico Corona Series.
‡ The first race at Guadalajara was rained out on July 29 and was postponed to October 13.
All races are held in
Mexico
Additionally, a brief summary of every race is usually shown during the broadcast of the NASCAR Mexico Corona Series events on Televisa Deportes
and the Latin American version of Speed Channel
.
The series is also covered in "ESTO", one of the most famous sports newspapers in the country. Local radio and TV stations also hold interviews with some of the most popular drivers to increase awareness of the series among the fans.
Semi-professional
A semi-professional athlete is one who is paid to play and thus is not an amateur, but for whom sport is not a full-time occupation, generally because the level of pay is too low to make a reasonable living based solely upon that source, thus making the athlete not a full professional...
four-cylinder racing series in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. It is promoted and sanctioned by NASCAR Mexico
NASCAR Mexico
NASCAR Mexico is a joint-venture between NASCAR and OCESA, a Mexican entertainment company, aiming to develop, manage and operate local motorsports events and oversee television distribution, sponsorship and licensing....
, the Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
-based NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
office.
The T4 Series features the largest grid in Mexican motor sports, with more than 30 teams running full-time and a few others doing a limited schedule. It is also notorious for the diversity of its drivers. As the series allows drivers to debut at age 15, several young Mexican talents are choosing the T4 Series to start their NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
careers. On the other hand, there are several 40-something drivers who have been racing in the series since it began in 1994.
The series runs a 10-race schedule from April to November. Races are shown live on AYM Sports, a Mexican sport-related satellite TV station available in Mexico, Central America, and the south of the United States.
Origins (1994-2003)
The series is the oldest of the current touring car racing series in Mexico. It started in 1994, being called Reto Neon (Neon Challenge). It used to be a low-cost racing series that featured modified Dodge NeonDodge Neon
The Plymouth/Dodge Neon, sold in Europe, Mexico, Canada, and elsewhere outside the United States as the Chrysler Neon, is a compact front wheel drive car introduced in January 1994 for the 1995 model year by Chrysler Corporation's Dodge and Plymouth brands...
cars competing in one-hour timed events. Two drivers (usually an expert and a rookie) would share every car, each one driving one half of the race.
The idea worked well for several years. Having a relatively inexpensive racecar and two drivers sharing the cost every race allowed to have a massive participation, with grids often exceeding 50 cars. It also proved to be a good learning ground for young drivers new to racing.
Desafío Corona (2004-2006)
The Reto Neon ceased to exist in 2004, when the Desafío CoronaDesafío Corona
The Desafio Corona was a stock car racing series in Mexico. NASCAR founded the series in 2004 in conjunction with OCESA, a Mexican entertainment company. The business partnership between NASCAR and OCESA resulted in the creation of a new entity, now officially known as NASCAR Mexico...
series was founded. OCESA, the promoter of the new series included the Dodge Neon cars as one of their three categories, with the Stock Car series (now NASCAR Mexico Corona Series) being the premier series. The Reto Neon became the T4 Series. In 2005 it was known as Lotto T4 Series, after the Italian sportswear firm decided to sponsor the series for that year.
In 2006, when it was made evident that NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
was considering to include the Desafío Corona
Desafío Corona
The Desafio Corona was a stock car racing series in Mexico. NASCAR founded the series in 2004 in conjunction with OCESA, a Mexican entertainment company. The business partnership between NASCAR and OCESA resulted in the creation of a new entity, now officially known as NASCAR Mexico...
as one of their international divisions, the T4 Series underwent several changes as it was adapted to the NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
format. The most notable changes were the introduction of pit stops, the allowance of only one driver per car, and a schedule that consisted entirely of oval tracks. In addition to this, standard NASCAR rules, such as the Beneficiary rule (commonly known as "Lucky Dog
Lucky dog
The beneficiary rule, commonly referred to as the "lucky dog" or "free pass", is a rule in some motor racing leagues allowing the closest lapped driver to the front of the field to gain back a lap when a caution is called. The driver is called to move to the end of the longest line of the cars at...
" or "Free Pass"), green-white-checker finish
Green-white-checker finish
The green-white-checker finish is a rule implemented into many levels of automobile racing in the United States. When the race would otherwise end during a yellow-flag caution condition , this rule gives the field an attempt to finish the race under a green-flag, racing condition...
es, and double-file restarts established. Also, it became a multi-manufacturer series, with the inclusion of the Chevrolet Astra
Opel Astra
The Opel Astra is a small family car engineered and manufactured by the German automaker Opel since 1991.It is branded as Vauxhall Astra in the United Kingdom, the Buick Excelle XT in China and the Chevrolet Astra/Vectra in Latin America...
in addition to the Neon.
NASCAR Mexico (2007-2008)
The creation of the NASCAR Mexico Corona Series was announced at the 2006 awards ceremony. The T4 Series was confirmed as the supporting series, racing during 10 of the 14 NMCS weekends.A period of transition started in 2007, with the release of a new car spec. The new "Mini Stock car", as it is called, is a Rear-wheel drive car (as opposed to the FWD
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
Dodge Neon), and it features most of the elements of the larger stock cars (such as transmission, suspension, brakes, etc.), while keeping the 4-cylinder engine.
In theory, the Mini Stock car is designed to offer a performance very similar to the old T4 chassis. While teams are being encouraged to switch to the new car, those not wanting to do so are being grandfathered
Grandfather clause
Grandfather clause is a legal term used to describe a situation in which an old rule continues to apply to some existing situations, while a new rule will apply to all future situations. It is often used as a verb: to grandfather means to grant such an exemption...
in the series.
Mini Stocks (2009-)
The series changed name to 2009 Mini Stock season and almost all of he cars have changed to the RWD regulation.2007 Schedule
The series kicked off the 2007 season at the Autódromo Miguel E. AbedAutódromo Miguel E. Abed
The Autódromo Internacional Miguel E. Abed is a racing track located in the town of Amozoc, east of the city of Puebla in the Mexican state of the same name.-History:...
in Puebla
Puebla, Puebla
The city and municipality of Puebla is the capital of the state of Puebla, and one of the five most important colonial cities in Mexico. Being a planned city, it is located to the east of Mexico City and west of Mexico's main port, Veracruz, on the main route between the two.The city was founded...
. The schedule consists of 10 races, all of which will serve as the opening for double-feature race weekends along with the NASCAR Mexico Corona Series.
| Date | City | Track | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1 | Puebla Puebla, Puebla The city and municipality of Puebla is the capital of the state of Puebla, and one of the five most important colonial cities in Mexico. Being a planned city, it is located to the east of Mexico City and west of Mexico's main port, Veracruz, on the main route between the two.The city was founded... |
Autódromo Miguel E. Abed Autódromo Miguel E. Abed The Autódromo Internacional Miguel E. Abed is a racing track located in the town of Amozoc, east of the city of Puebla in the Mexican state of the same name.-History:... (Oval) |
Rodrigo Echeverría |
| May 20 | San Luis Potosí San Luis Potosí San Luis Potosí officially Estado Libre y Soberano de San Luis Potosí is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is San Luis Potosí.... |
Autódromo Potosino Autódromo Potosino The Autódromo Potosino is a half-mile paved oval located near the city of San Luis Potosí in Mexico.The track was opened in 1983 as a road course... (Oval) |
Irwin Vences |
| June 3 | Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... |
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is a race track in Mexico City, Mexico, named for the famous racing drivers Ricardo and Pedro Rodríguez. The circuit got its name shortly after it opened when Ricardo Rodríguez died in practice for the non-Championship 1962 Mexican Grand Prix... (Oval) |
Giovanni Rodrigo |
| July 15 | Querétaro Querétaro Querétaro officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Querétaro de Arteaga is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 18 municipalities and its capital city is Santiago de Querétaro.... |
Autódromo de Querétaro (Road course) |  Javier Fernández |
| August 12 | San Luis Potosí San Luis Potosí San Luis Potosí officially Estado Libre y Soberano de San Luis Potosí is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is San Luis Potosí.... |
Autódromo Potosino Autódromo Potosino The Autódromo Potosino is a half-mile paved oval located near the city of San Luis Potosí in Mexico.The track was opened in 1983 as a road course... (Oval) |
Javier Fernández |
| September 23 | Puebla Puebla, Puebla The city and municipality of Puebla is the capital of the state of Puebla, and one of the five most important colonial cities in Mexico. Being a planned city, it is located to the east of Mexico City and west of Mexico's main port, Veracruz, on the main route between the two.The city was founded... |
Autódromo Miguel E. Abed Autódromo Miguel E. Abed The Autódromo Internacional Miguel E. Abed is a racing track located in the town of Amozoc, east of the city of Puebla in the Mexican state of the same name.-History:... (Oval) |
Enrique Ferrer |
| October 13 ‡ | Guadalajara Guadalajara, Jalisco Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality... |
Trióvalo Bernardo Obregón Trióvalo Bernardo Obregón Trióvalo Bernardo Obregón is a three-quarter mile tri-oval in Guadalajara, Mexico.Named after the driver Bernardo Obregón Tamaríz who died in the Carrera Panamericana in 1999 during the Mil Cumbres Stage.... (Tri-oval) |
Enrique Ferrer |
| October 14 | Guadalajara Guadalajara, Jalisco Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality... |
Trióvalo Bernardo Obregón Trióvalo Bernardo Obregón Trióvalo Bernardo Obregón is a three-quarter mile tri-oval in Guadalajara, Mexico.Named after the driver Bernardo Obregón Tamaríz who died in the Carrera Panamericana in 1999 during the Mil Cumbres Stage.... (Tri-oval) |
Javier Fernández |
| October 28 | Querétaro Querétaro Querétaro officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Querétaro de Arteaga is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 18 municipalities and its capital city is Santiago de Querétaro.... |
Autódromo de Querétaro (Oval) | Enrique Ferrer |
| November 4 | Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... |
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is a race track in Mexico City, Mexico, named for the famous racing drivers Ricardo and Pedro Rodríguez. The circuit got its name shortly after it opened when Ricardo Rodríguez died in practice for the non-Championship 1962 Mexican Grand Prix... (Oval) |
|
‡ The first race at Guadalajara was rained out on July 29 and was postponed to October 13.
All races are held in
MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
2008 Schedule
| Date | City | Track | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 30 | Querétaro Querétaro Querétaro officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Querétaro de Arteaga is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 18 municipalities and its capital city is Santiago de Querétaro.... |
Autódromo de Querétaro (Road course) | ? |
| April 20 | Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... |
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is a race track in Mexico City, Mexico, named for the famous racing drivers Ricardo and Pedro Rodríguez. The circuit got its name shortly after it opened when Ricardo Rodríguez died in practice for the non-Championship 1962 Mexican Grand Prix... (Oval) |
? |
| May 4 | San Luis Potosí San Luis Potosí San Luis Potosí officially Estado Libre y Soberano de San Luis Potosí is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is San Luis Potosí.... |
Autódromo Potosino Autódromo Potosino The Autódromo Potosino is a half-mile paved oval located near the city of San Luis Potosí in Mexico.The track was opened in 1983 as a road course... (Oval) |
? |
| May 18 | Guadalajara Guadalajara, Jalisco Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality... |
Trióvalo Bernardo Obregón Trióvalo Bernardo Obregón Trióvalo Bernardo Obregón is a three-quarter mile tri-oval in Guadalajara, Mexico.Named after the driver Bernardo Obregón Tamaríz who died in the Carrera Panamericana in 1999 during the Mil Cumbres Stage.... (Tri-oval) |
Carlos Pardo |
Media
Races are shown live on AYM Sports on Sundays at 11:30 AM local time. Several replays are also shown during the week. The races are also analyzed in the AYM sports news programs on Mondays. The series is arguably one of the most important events of the network.Additionally, a brief summary of every race is usually shown during the broadcast of the NASCAR Mexico Corona Series events on Televisa Deportes
Televisa Deportes
Televisa Deportes is a Televisa division that produces sports programming for Canal de las Estrellas, Canal 5, Galavision and Televisa Deportes Network....
and the Latin American version of Speed Channel
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
.
The series is also covered in "ESTO", one of the most famous sports newspapers in the country. Local radio and TV stations also hold interviews with some of the most popular drivers to increase awareness of the series among the fans.
Notable alumni
- Michel Jourdain, Jr.Michel Jourdain, Jr.Michel Jourdain Jr. is an IndyCar driver. Jourdain Jr. started racing cars in the Mexican Formula Junior series at the age of 12. He then moved to the Mexican Formula K and Formula 2 series.-Champ Car:...
, Former Champ Car World Series driver and race winner; current World Touring Car ChampionshipWorld Touring Car ChampionshipFor the video game, known as World Touring Car Championship in Japan, see TOCA World Touring CarsThe FIA World Touring Car Championship is an international Touring Car championship sanctioned by the FIA.-History:...
driver.
- Ruben PardoRuben PardoRuben Pardo , is a Mexican racecar driver. He currently drives the Family Dollar Dodge for Fitz Motorsports in the NASCAR Busch East Series, and part-time in the Nationwide Series. He is the brother of fellow NASCAR driver Carlos Pardo, who died in 2009.Pardo began racing in motorcycles, eventually...
, 2006 NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East SeriesNASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East SeriesThe K&N Pro Series East is a regional stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. Races are held at oval tracks ranging from 1/3 to 1 mile in length and on two road courses, 1.53 and 2.45 miles in length...
Rookie of the Year.
- Several current NASCAR Mexico Corona Series drivers, including Carlos Pardo, Germán QuirogaGermán QuirogaGerman Quiroga is a Mexican race car driver. He is the only three-time champion of NASCAR Corona Series.-Nascar Corona Series:He debuted with Jorge Seman's race team 2004...
, Mike Sánchez, Abraham CalderónAbraham CalderónAbraham Calderón is a Mexican racecar driver from Monterrey. He won the 2006 NASCAR Mexico T4 Series championship. He has moved up into the NASCAR Mexico Corona Series. Calderon is currently driving the #05 Marcatel Ford in the NASCAR Mexico Corona Series....
, Rubén Rovelo, Patricio Jourdain, Luis Felipe Montaño, among others.