Rookie Challenge contender Thomas Pourrain extends his contract with Bachor Racing Team to confirm his participation in the 2026 V8 Oval Series season.
Canadian talent Thomas Pourrain has extended his contract with his V8 Oval Series team Bachor Racing Team for the upcoming 2026 season, as reported by Leadlap on 20 January 2026.
Pourrain will become part of Bachor’s three-car assault in Raceway Venray’s annual championship. Bachor team boss Philipp Bachor and debutant Max Heilek will act as Pourrain’s teammates in 2026.
“I’m pleased to announce that I will be racing my second season in the V8 Oval Series with the Bachor Racing Team,” said Pourrain to Leadlap.
“In a great 2025 season, I improved significantly. I now have confidence in my pace, and my goal is the title. I was very happy with the season with the Bachor Racing Team last year and I’m looking forward to contesting my second season in the colours of the racing team.”
Pourrain made a splash in his first V8 Oval Series campaign in 2025. The Canadian took one win and scored eight podiums on his way to fifth in the championship.
Pourrain also competed in NASCAR Euro Series’ Rookie Challenge division during the 2025 Playoffs rounds with Marko Stipp Motorsport.
He finished second on the road during his debut at Oschersleben, but a discrepancy in results resulted in his demotion to fifth post-race.
Pourrain later tested the Marko Stipp Motorsport machine further during MSM’s Discovery Day event on 28 November 2025.
He was joined by series reporter Andre Wiegold – in Wiegold’s first test with the EuroNASCAR cars – and Henrik Peters, the latter already confirmed as a Rookie Challenge driver for MSM in 2026.
Pourrain will continue to race the No. 22 Liqui-Moly Camaro in 2026, the same machine that he competed with in 2025.
Team boss Bachor will also continue to race his signature No. 21 Dodge Challenger, while sim racer Heilek joins the series with a specially prepared No. 12 Chevrolet Camaro.
Heilek suffers from cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound. Since Heilek cannot physically use his legs, Bachor has designed a hand controlled racer to allow Heilek to compete in the championship.
“The fact that I can fulfill such a childhood dream, one that I didn’t even dare to dream, is incredible,” said Heilek to Leadlap.
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