The World Stock Car Association Global Pathway to the WSCC is a program developed by the World Stock Car Association (WSCA), the international sanctioning body for stock car racing, that is designed to provide racing drivers a pathway from karting/weekly racing to the World Stock Car Championship. The Global Pathway program was formalized in 2012, but the tiered structure has been roughly in place for decades, albeit with minor changes along the way. This structure puts the drivers in increasingly powerful cars as they move up to each tier.
Each series is designated by a Stock Car level (e.g. SC-3), with the World Stock Car Championship being SC-1.
Eligible Series[edit | edit source]
National Series (SC-4)[edit | edit source]
Not to be confused with the National Stock Car Series, the name of the World Stock Car Championship from 1950 through 1975.
National racing series, designated SC-4, are the first step on the Global Pathway, eligible to drivers fourteen and older. The national series are structured such that each series is contained within a specific geographic area; despite the designation, some of the national championships encompass several countries, such as the GBI Stock Car Cup, which takes place in the United Kingdom and Ireland. All cars and engines in this series - while not spec - are built to a single specification so that drivers can compete in multiple championships utilizing the same car.
International Series (SC-3)[edit | edit source]
The international racing series under the Global Pathway are the North American Stock Car Tour, the Eurocup Championship Series, and the Pacific Championship. These series are sometimes also referred to as the Continental or Regional series, and are designated as the SC-3 series. Drivers are eligible upon turning sixteen; drivers who choose to move to the NASCT will be placed in the series' Trucks or Lites divisions until they turn 18.
World Stock Car Lites (SC-2)[edit | edit source]
The World Stock Car Lites are the final intermediary stage of the WSCA Global Pathway; styled as an international championship, drivers will be eligible when they turn eighteen years old. Notably, the World Stock Car Lites are not a prerequisite for competition in the World Stock Car Championship; successes in the International Series will contribute to the WSCA Super License. The Lites Series will hold the greatest weight on the Super License, however.
The WSCL is the only truly spec series due to being developed solely as a driver development series; the lower tiers were created from various existing series that joined the World Stock Car Association after their founding.
World Stock Car Championship (SC-1)[edit | edit source]
The World Stock Car Championship represents the top tier of the Global Pathway, and is recognized as the premier class of stock car racing.
Other Series[edit | edit source]
Other series, such as Formula A, Champ Car, Le Mans, and Touring car racing, are not recognized as part of the global pathway, but still contribute to Super License points.
Comparison[edit | edit source]
| Class | WSCC | WSCL | SC-3 | SC-4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chassis | SC-1 Stock Car | SC-2 Stock Car | Various | Various |
| Engine | Hybrid 3.4L Turbocharged V-6 | 3.6L Turbocharged V6 | 5.3L Fuel-Injected V8 | 1.4L Fuel-Injected I-4 |
| Maximum Power (hp) | 750 | 455 | 375 | 230 |
| Weight | 1250kg (2755 lb) | 1350 kg (2976 lb) | 1450 kg (3196 lb) | 1500 kg (3400 lb) |
| Gearbox | 6-speed paddle-shift | 6-speed paddle-shift | 4-speed manual | 4-speed manual |
| Torque (N-m) | 800 | 620 | 530 | 390 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 18 | 18 | 22 | 22 |