Reigning EuroNASCAR 2 champion and NASCAR GP Spain race winner Liam Hezemans is going to enter Monday’s V8 Oval Series round and make his first oval race outing at Raceway Venray.
There’s still three weeks to go before the second round of the 2023 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series begins, but NASCAR GP Spain race winner Liam Hezemans is prepared to make the next step in his stock car racing career on Monday.
Hezemans, the reigning EuroNASCAR 2 champion, will be making his oval racing debut on 29 May after Hendriks Motorsport announced that the 20-year Dutchman is entering Monday’s Pinksterraces event – the second round of the 2023 V8 Oval Series season – at Raceway Venray.
In our exclusive interview with the younger Hezemans brother, Liam revealed that he has gained his license to compete at Venray after he completed his rookie test on Saturday, noting that he is eager to do more laps at the 0.5-mile long oval after successfully passing his test.
“The first feeling is already great and I’m really excited to start my first oval race, as I already did the rookie test on Saturday to know the rules of oval racing,” said Liam on his upcoming participation at Venray. “I only did 10 laps, so the first thing I said when I stepped out was that I really wanted to go back in the car to do some more laps!”
“The goal is to perform the best way possible, but of course it’s my first time ever driving on an oval, so if we can achieve a top-5 I’m already really pleased!”
Despite the different challenges presented from oval racing in comparison to the road course action that Liam is used to in EuroNASCAR, Liam said that he hadn’t made much difference in his pre-race preparation and training programs.
“On the preparation side, for me it doesn’t feel much more different than a EuroNASCAR race or whatsoever,” said Liam. “You try to watch maybe a few onboards and prepare yourself physically by going to the gym so you are in the best shape possible for race day.”
Liam’s older brother Loris will not be present at Monday’s race, but he left his younger brother with a tip to help Liam on his first race in an oval. Loris has previously raced – and won – at Venray, with his victory in 2019 proving to be crucial towards his EuroNASCAR championship success that year.
“Loris normally comes to a few tracks with me in EuroNASCAR and helps me with some tips, but unfortunately he couldn’t be there [at Venray on Monday],” revealed Liam.
“Because it’s such a different driving style, he just told me “You turn in and try to go as quickly on the throttle as you can, the rest you just have to have the feeling for it”. So, not so many tips this time, it’s more that I have to find out by myself.”
Liam is currently unsure on whether his outing at Venray will open up possibilities for him to attempt more oval races in future. That being said, he is open to more oval racing opportunities if he were to enjoy the races on Monday.
“Who knows,” said Liam. “I already loved the 10 laps I did and the feeling was really good, so if on Monday I enjoy the races as much as the 10 laps I did on Saturday and there are some opportunities open for me in the future, then I will grab the chances with pleasure!”
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