From GMM

NASCAR series chief Jim France this week visited McLaren's formula one headquarters - the McLaren Technology Centre - at Woking, Great Britain.

He acknowledged he saw "a lot more technology" than is present in American NASCAR or IRL garages, and was impressed by the "level of manufacturing capability" of the Mercedes-powered squad's F1 factory.

France, 64 and a billionaire, was accompanied on his McLaren tour by the British team's chief executive Martin Whitmarsh.

"It has been a fantastic opportunity to discuss and compare notes on our differing areas of motor sport," he said.

"We share many common goals and aspirations and I know that we can learn a lot from each other," Whitmarsh added.