Papis' stock rises

Former Formula One driver Max Papis has been signed to compete in the mainly British-based ASCAR series.

The Italian, who drove unsuccessfully for Arrows before making his name in the United States in Champ Cars, will team up with ASCAR’s most successful team, HTML.

Papis said: “I am pleased to have my stock car debut in an ASCAR. I believe the series will enhance my knowledge about these cars and the competition in this type of racing.”

ASCAR is enjoying a rapid rise in popularity for its all-oval stock car championship, which races at Rockingham in Northamptonshire and Lausitzring in Germany and was recently renamed the ‘Days of Thunder Series’ after the 1990 Tom Cruise film.