Stock Car Pro Series

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Stock Car Pro Series
260px
Category Touring car racing
Stock car racing
Country Brazil
Inaugural season 1979
Drivers 28 (2020)
Teams 13 (2020)
Constructors Chevrolet
Toyota
Tyre suppliers Hankook
Drivers' champion Rubens Barrichello
Teams' champion Full Time Sports
Official website www.stockproseries.com.br
Motorsport current event.svg Current season
Stock Car Brazil, 2006

Stock Car Pro Series, formerly known as Stock Car Brasil, is a touring car auto racing series based in Brazil organized by Vicar. It is considered the major Brazilian and South American motorsports series.[1] Starting in 1979 with Chevrolet as the only constructor, the series has also seen other constructors joining in and leaving such as Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Volkswagen, currently the only other besides Chevrolet is Toyota. The series is composed of 12 rounds, with the most important race, the Corrida do Milhão (English: The Million Race) being worth double points and has a prize pool of R$1 million. The competition has seen many internationally famous drivers in its ranks, such as Rubens Barrichello, Felipe Massa, Jacques Villeneuve, Lucas di Grassi, Nelson Piquet Jr., Ricardo Zonta, Tony Kanaan and António Félix da Costa.

There's also the Stock Series, formerly known as Stock Car Light, serving as the access category to the Pro Series.[2]

History

1970s

The series was created in 1979 as an alternative to the former Division 1 championship that competed with Chevrolet Opala and Ford Maverick. The dominance of Chevrolet over Ford models was causing a lack of public interest and sponsors. General Motors then created a new category, with a name reminiscent of the famous NASCAR with standardized performance and components for all competitors. The first race was run on 22 April 1979 at the Autódromo Internacional de Tarumã, Rio Grande do Sul with 19 cars competing, all of them being 6-cylinder Chevrolet Opalas. The pole position was held by José Carlos Palhares, and the race was won by Affonso Giaffone.

1980s

File:Stock Car Brasil 1988 Chevrolet Opala Ingo Hoffman.jpg
Chevrolet Opala 1987–1989

This decade saw the emergence of several rivalries between drivers. In 1982 two races were held for the first time at the Autodromo do Estoril, Portugal.

The first major change in the Stock Car standard occurred in 1987. With the support of General Motors, a fairing designed and built by coachbuilder Caio was adopted, which was adapted to the Opala's chassis. The car exhibited improved aerodynamics and performance. Safety equipment become more sophisticated.

1990s

File:Stock Car Brasil 1992 Chevrolet Opala Wilson Fittipaldi.jpg
Chevrolet Opala 1990–1993
File:Stock Car Brasil 1994 Chevrolet Omega.jpg
Chevrolet Omega 1994–1999.

In 1990 General Motors renewed its interest in the category and built a prototype intended to replace the Caio/Hidroplas model.

In 1991 new rules were established and the races were disputed in double rounds on the weekends, with two drivers per car, but the series continued to lose ground with the public, sponsors and television networks to other championships with many manufacturers involved, such as Campeonato Brasileiro de Marcas e Pilotos that included the involvement of Chevrolet, Fiat, Ford and Volkswagen, as well as the always popular Formula racing championships.

In 1994 the championship returned to the old rules and Chevrolet announced that the Chevrolet Omega would be introduced as the new standard model. As part of a marketing strategy and in order to reduce costs, the tickets were free and the races were now held in double rounds sponsored by Brazilian Formula Chevrolet in an event called Chevrolet Challenger. This decade marked a dominant era for Ingo Hoffmann with eight titles, three in partnership with Ângelo Giombell. His only serious challenges came from Paulo Gomes in 1995 and Chico Serra in 1999.

2000s

File:HI6I0340.JPG
Stock Car in 2007. Chassis used in 2000 until 2008.
File:Stock Car Brasil - The new era.jpg
JL G-09 Chevrolet 2009–2011

From 2000 on, General Motors departed the series' management and Vicar Promoções Desportivas, owned by former racing driver Carlos Col, took over the organization. This ushered in a period of modernization and improved security as the category started to use a tubular chassis designated JL G-09. The project engineer was Edgardo Fernandez, who did something similar for the Argentina category Top Race V6, inspired by both NASCAR and the DTM. The chassis was built by Zeca Giaffone's JL Racing.

In 2003 the category replaced the Chevrolet 6-cylinder engine used with modifications since 1979 with a Chevrolet V8 imported from the United States by JL Racing, similar to the engines used by the NASCAR Busch Series. Despite not managing the series anymore, General Motors still participated in the series with the Vectra.

In 2005 Mitsubishi entered the series with the Mitsubishi Lancer, marking the first time in the series' history in which Chevrolet was not the sole manufacturer competing. 30 October of that same year marked the first race held in Argentina at Autódromo Juan y Oscar Gálvez, alongside the TC 2000 category. Attendance was 70,000. Giuliano Losacco was the winner, with Mateus Greipel second and Luciano Burti coming in third.

In 2006, Volkswagen entered in the series with the Bora and the championship adopted a point system similar to the one used in NASCAR, as well as a new system with 16 teams and 32 drivers. At the end of the season, the 10 best drivers were automatically qualified to run the 4 final races, called Super Final, similar to the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

The 2007 season marked the largest amount of manufacturers competing in the category, with the entrance of Peugeot and the 307 Sedan. The season had the presence of Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, and Volkswagen. Volkswagen announced it was withdrawing from the category in 2008, with two-time champion Mitsubishi doing the same one year later in 2009. In 2008, the championship changed from Pirelli tires to Goodyear.[3][4]

2010s

In 2010 the category started using ethanol as fuel and engines with electronic injection.

In 2011, Peugeot re-entered the championship announced with the 408 sedan model, replacing the 307.[5][6] In 2012, Chevrolet introduced the Chevrolet Sonic as its competing model, replacing the Vectra.[7] 2012 was also the last season in which Goodyear supplied tires, with Pirelli returning as the sole tire supplier in the championship from 2013 onward.[8] The category announced changes in the championship for the 2012 season, dropping the Super Final system. The scoring system was also changed, with the top twenty drivers in each race being awarded points.

For the 2016 season, General Motors announced the Chevrolet Cruze as the replacement for the Sonic.[9] In 2017, Peugeot announced its withdrawal from the championship, leaving Chevrolet as the sole automaker to compete in the series, making it a one-make championship, with all drivers using Cruze models.[10]

2020s

In 2020, Toyota Gazoo Racing entered alongside Chevrolet, fielding a regulation version of their Toyota Corolla, which received a facelift in 2021.[11][12] The season also saw a return to a monocoque chassis, replacing the tubular chassis used since 2000. On 12 December 2022, Vicar and Pirelli announced that they would not be renewing their contract and that from 2023 onward, Stock Car, Stock Series, and the F4 Brazil Championship will be supplied exclusively by Hankook.[13][14]

Support races

Created in 1992, the Brazilian Formula Chevrolet was the Series' main support category. It used the same chassis as Formula Opel until 1994, subsequently switching to a Techspeed chassis until 2002, which was the same year the category was retired.

The Stock Car Light second tier was created in 1993, and reformulated in 2008 to become the Copa Vicar. After a merger with Pick-up Racing Brasil, the Copa Chevrolet Montana was established and standardized around the Chevrolet Montana model. Pick-up Racing Brasil was a category created in 2001 but only became part of the Stock Car Brasil programme until 2006.

The Stock Car Jr. third tier was created in 2006. It was intended for young and amateur drivers moving from Kart racing. In 2010 the category was replaced with the Mini Challenge Brasil. After three seasons it was cancelled.

Manufacturer representation

Make 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
United States Chevrolet Opala Caio/Hidroplas Opala Prototype Omega Vectra Astra Vectra Sonic Cruze
Japan Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
France Peugeot 307 408
Germany Volkswagen Bora
Japan Toyota Corolla
File:Alceu Feldmann (5797857925).jpg
Alceu Feldmann on Campo Grande Speedway with the Chevrolet Vectra, in 2011.
Luciano Burti on Campo Grande Speedway with the Peugeot 408, in 2011.

Scoring systems

Points Position
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th
1st Heat 30 24 22 19 17 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
2nd Heat 24 20 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Last Round 60 52 44 38 34 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2

Speed records

File:Caca bueno bonneville 20100825.jpg
Bueno after running on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Year Driver Car Local Speed
1991 Fábio Sotto Mayor Chevrolet Opala Rodovia Rio-Santos 303 km/h / 188 mph
2010 Cacá Bueno Chevrolet Vectra JL G-09 Bonneville Salt Flats[15] 345 km/h / 214 mph

Drivers

Notable drivers

File:Ingo Hoffmann Interlagos Junho 2007.jpg
Ingo Hoffmann, 12-time champion.
  • Affonso Giaffone Jr. (1979–1980s) – The winner of the first race in 1979, and the champion of the 1981 season. The father of Affonso Giaffone, a former IndyCar Series driver.
  • Paulo Gomes (1979–2003/2007) – The winner of the first season in 1979, also 4-time champion.
  • Chico Serra (1999–2009) – 3-time champion (1999, 2000 and 2001)
  • Ingo Hoffmann (1979–2008) – 12-time champion (1980, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2002) and the driver with the most series wins overall with 77. He competed from 1979 to 2008.
  • Cacá Bueno (2002–) – 5-time Champion: (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012). Runner-up: 2003, 2004 and 2005. He is the son of the sports commentator Galvão Bueno.
  • Daniel Serra (2007–) – 3-time champion (2017, 2018 and 2019), 2-time 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE Pro class winner (2017 and 2019) and son of Chico Serra.

Former Formula One drivers

Currently in the series
Formerly in the series

Champions

All champions are Brazilian-registered.

Season Driver Car Team Tyres
1979 Minas Gerais Paulo Gomes Chevrolet Opala Coca-Cola Polwax P
1980 São Paulo (state) Ingo Hoffmann Chevrolet Opala Johnson P
1981 São Paulo (state) Affonso Giaffone Jr. Chevrolet Opala Giaffone Motorsport P
1982 Goiás Olímpio Alencar Junior Chevrolet Opala Jobi P
1983 Minas Gerais Paulo Gomes Chevrolet Opala Coca-Cola Polwax P
1984 Minas Gerais Paulo Gomes Chevrolet Opala Metalpó P
1985 São Paulo (state) Ingo Hoffmann Chevrolet Opala Irmãos Giustino P
1986 Goiás Marcos Gracia Chevrolet Opala Havoline-Texaco P
1987 São Paulo (state) Zeca Giaffone Chevrolet Opala Refricentro/Blindex/Losacco P
1988 São Paulo (state) Fábio Sotto Mayor Chevrolet Opala HG Rodão P
1989 São Paulo (state) Ingo Hoffmann Chevrolet Opala Teba/Cofap P
1990 São Paulo (state) Ingo Hoffmann Chevrolet Opala Teba/Arteb P
1991 São Paulo (state) Ingo Hoffmann
Ângelo Giombelli		 Chevrolet Opala Teba/Arteb P
1992 São Paulo (state) Ingo Hoffmann
Ângelo Giombelli		 Chevrolet Opala Castrol/Giombelli P
1993 São Paulo (state) Ingo Hoffmann
Ângelo Giombelli		 Chevrolet Opala Castrol/Giombelli P
1994 São Paulo (state) Ingo Hoffmann Chevrolet Omega Castrol Racing P
1995 Minas Gerais Paulo Gomes Chevrolet Omega Freio Vargas/JF P
1996 São Paulo (state) Ingo Hoffmann Chevrolet Omega Castrol-Action Power P
1997 São Paulo (state) Ingo Hoffmann Chevrolet Omega Castrol-Action Power P
1998 São Paulo (state) Ingo Hoffmann Chevrolet Omega Castrol-Action Power P
1999 São Paulo (state) Chico Serra Chevrolet Omega WB-Texaco P
2000 São Paulo (state) Chico Serra Chevrolet Vectra WB-Texaco P
2001 São Paulo (state) Chico Serra Chevrolet Vectra WB-Texaco P
2002 São Paulo (state) Ingo Hoffmann Chevrolet Vectra JF-Filipaper Racing P
2003 Paraná (state) David Muffato Chevrolet Vectra Repsol-Boettger P
2004 São Paulo (state) Giuliano Losacco Chevrolet Astra Itupetro-RC P
2005 São Paulo (state) Giuliano Losacco Chevrolet Astra Medley-A.Mattheis P
2006 Rio de Janeiro (state) Cacá Bueno Mitsubishi Lancer Eurofarma RC P
2007 Rio de Janeiro (state) Cacá Bueno Mitsubishi Lancer Eurofarma RC P
2008 São Paulo (state) Ricardo Maurício Peugeot 307 Medley-WA Mattheis G
2009 Rio de Janeiro (state) Cacá Bueno Peugeot 307 Red Bull Racing G
2010 São Paulo (state) Max Wilson Chevrolet Vectra Eurofarma RC G
2011 Rio de Janeiro (state) Cacá Bueno Peugeot 408 Red Bull Racing G
2012 Rio de Janeiro (state) Cacá Bueno Chevrolet Sonic Red Bull Racing G
2013 São Paulo (state) Ricardo Maurício Chevrolet Sonic Eurofarma RC P
2014 São Paulo (state) Rubens Barrichello Chevrolet Sonic Full Time Sports P
2015 São Paulo (state) Marcos Gomes Peugeot 408 Voxx Racing P
2016 Pará Felipe Fraga Peugeot 408 Cimed Racing P
2017 São Paulo (state) Daniel Serra Chevrolet Cruze Eurofarma RC P
2018 São Paulo (state) Daniel Serra Chevrolet Cruze Eurofarma RC P
2019 São Paulo (state) Daniel Serra Chevrolet Cruze Eurofarma RC P
2020 São Paulo (state) Ricardo Maurício Chevrolet Cruze Eurofarma RC P
2021 Paraná (state) Gabriel Casagrande Chevrolet Cruze A.Mattheis Vogel P
2022 São Paulo (state) Rubens Barrichello Toyota Corolla Full Time Sports P

Circuits

Races are held mostly on road courses, although a race was held on a street circuit in Salvador for the first time in 2009. The tracks for the 2023 season are:

Former circuits include:

Fatal accidents

There have been five fatal accidents:

Video games

The first official video game was Game Stock Car in 2011, with a followup title Stock Car Extreme launched in 2013. Both were developed by Reiza Studios.[22]

Automobilista, released in 2016 and developed by Reiza Studios using the RFactor engine, featured the full 2015 and 2017 car grids and circuits.[23] Automobilista 2, released in 2020 using the Project CARS engine, adding the 2019 and 2020 cars and circuits.[24][25]

Racing simulator iRacing has included the Stock Car Pro Series cars in the game since 2022.[26]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The last race in the full course of Interlagos was held in 1989.
  2. ↑ The last race in the full course of Jacarepaguá was held in 2005.

References

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  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Cacá Bueno estabelece novo recorde de velocidade da Stock Car: 345 km/h
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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