The 2026 European NASCAR weekend at Brands Hatch was defined by rain, and the qualifying hour delivered a spectacle that will be remembered for years. Fans braved the slick tarmac as drivers battled for the coveted pole positions in both the V8GP and OPEN categories.
A Wet Weekend at Brands Hatch
Garrett Lowe, piloting a BS+BREMOTION entry, emerged as the first American to claim pole position in the V8GP class, posting a blistering lap of 53.079 seconds on a track that demanded both precision and courage. His achievement not only rewrote the history books but also positioned him as the primary challenger to Vittorio Ghirelli in the championship battle.
Thomas Dombrowski, driving for PK Carsport, turned the page on a harrowing crash at Brands Hatch last year by securing his maiden Stromwatches.com Pole Award in OPEN. The Polish driver’s comeback story added a dramatic narrative to the weekend, underscoring his mental resilience.
Behind Dombrowski, championship leader Thomas Toffel endured a double crash that shuffled the grid, while Raphaël Lessard claimed second on the starting line, giving him a clear view of the action in the first of two races. Sandro Tavartkiladze and Mariam Davitidze also turned in strong performances, the former securing a Master Trophy lead and the latter topping the Lady Trophy classification.
With the grid set, attention now turns to the twin races that promise further drama and overtaking opportunities. Organizers anticipate a massive turnout from British supporters, eager to witness the blend of skill and strategy that only a wet Brands Hatch can produce.