Following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, Oscar Nogués naturally headed towards motor racing. Like his brothers, the Catalan native got his start in karting at an early age and saw his passion grow over the years.

“My father was my first ‘instructor’”, he remembers. “I remember he was on the track and showed us with his foot where the braking point was. I always did it a meter later, and what was a game quickly became one of my best qualities!”

While older brother Jordi was spotted and recruited by the Spanish Federation to race in Formula FIAT, Oscar Nogués devoured the completion in karting, taking two national titles. Unfortunately, the lack of financial support blocked his path to open-wheel competition and he had to put his motor racing career on hold for six years.

Launched by Renault Catalonia, the Jove Promesa program (“Young Hopeful“) allowed Oscar Nogués to win a selection process among 300 competitors as well as a scholarship to compete in the Copa Renault Mégane. Thanks to strong results, he recieved a three-season scholarship extension, where at the end of the period he won the Copa Renault Clio title.

“Renault has played an important role in my career”, confesses Oscar Nogués. “After winning the selection process, I recieved a scholarship to race in the Spanish Mégane Cup in 1999 and since then, I’ve enjoyed one success afer another! Without their help, I am not sure that my career would have resumed and for that I am infinitely grateful.”

As champion, the Catalan could not return for another season and entered the Super Copa Seat Leon. After a learnig year, he returned for a second year and led from the first to last meeting. Despite the introduction of a new model, he did the double in 2006 and continued on as a front-runner in the series for the following three seasons.

In 2008, Oscar Nogués won the European title, while also racing in the European Touring Car Cup finishing second in the championship. His strong showings also allowed him to take part in the World Touring Car Championship (FIA WTCC) on three occassion, not to mention his successful record in the 24 Hours of Barcelona over the years.

The Catalan returned to racing Renault cars in 2011 and won the Clio Cup Italia. The following year, he finished runner-up in the Spanish Clio Cup and won the Eurocup Clio. With the arrival of the latest generation Clio Cup, Oscar Nogués had a difficult 2013 sesaon in the Eurocup Clio, which he salvaged with a victory at Circuit Paul Ricard. He bounced back with verve in 2014 in taking both the Italian and European crowns, becoming the first driver to score two Eurocup titles.

“I am very proud to have won a second Eurocup Clio title with five victories from eight races because it is a very competitive series. We battle with the best drivers from the national cups and the competitiveness of the field can be felt! I had very clean battles with my rivals all season long and we showed the fans what we can do. For the 2015 season, I still do not know. The Renault Sport R.S. 01 is a very interesting car, but we will have to see if there are opportunities to enter the Renault Sport Trophy!”

Oscar Nogués
Born: 21 May 1978 at Banyeres del Penedès (Spain)
1989-1994: Karting
2000: Copa Renault Mégane (7th)
2001: Copa Renault Clio (4th)
2002: Copa Renault Clio (3rd)
2003: Copa Renault Clio (Champion), Renault Sport Clio Elf International Cup (7th)
2004: Super Copa Leon (10th)
2005: Super Copa Leon (Champion)
2006: Super Copa Leon (Champion)
2007: Super Copa Leon (2nd)
2008: Super Copa Leon (3rd), Leon Eurocup (Champion), European Touring Car Cup (2nd)
2009: Super Copa Leon (2nd)
2010: Super Copa Leon (2nd)
2011: Clio Cup Italia (Champion)
2012: Clio Cup Spain (2nd), Eurocup Clio (Champion)
2013: Eurocup Clio (9th)
2014: Clio Cup Italia (Champion), Eurocup Clio (Champion)