Hyundai is amplifying its commitment to motorsports in the United States, offering racing enthusiasts and teams access to its championship-caliber TCR vehicles. Building on the success of the i30 N TCR globally, Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing is expanding its footprint in North America, spearheaded by Bryan Herta Autosport. This collaboration brings both the newly developed Veloster N TCR and the proven i30 N TCR to the US market, promising thrilling competition in the IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge.
Fresh from securing Team and Manufacturer championships in the 2018 Pirelli World Challenge TCR class with the i30 N TCR, Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) is set to lead Hyundai’s charge in the 2019 IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge. BHA will not only field the brand-new Veloster N TCR in the series but also act as the official sales and support agent for both Veloster N TCR and i30 N TCR cars in the United States. This strategic move ensures that customer teams have direct access to these high-performance machines and the necessary technical backing to compete at the highest level.
The Veloster N TCR shares its DNA with the highly acclaimed i30 N TCR. Both vehicles are products of Hyundai Motorsport’s Customer Racing division in Alzenau, Germany, and boast approximately 85% commonality in core components. This includes the formidable 350-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, ensuring both cars deliver comparable performance on the track. While the Veloster N TCR is tailored for markets where the Veloster N road car is prominent, the availability of the i30 N TCR in the U.S. through Bryan Herta Autosport provides teams and drivers with a broader choice within the Hyundai TCR family.
The Veloster N TCR is poised to make its official debut just before the 2019 IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge season opener at Daytona International Speedway on January 25th. This 10-round series will traverse iconic North American circuits, offering intense racing action and showcasing the capabilities of the Hyundai TCR cars. Dean Evans, Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor America, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with Bryan Herta Autosport and the anticipation for the Veloster N TCR’s performance in the upcoming season.
Bryan Herta himself highlighted the wealth of experience gained from racing and winning with the i30 N TCR. This experience is instrumental in launching the Veloster N TCR program and supporting customer teams choosing either model. The i30 N TCR has already proven its mettle in demanding competitions, and this pedigree is directly transferred to the Veloster N TCR, ensuring a high-quality, competitive platform for customer racing teams in the US.
The introduction of the Veloster N TCR addresses specific market needs where the Veloster N road car has a strong presence. However, for teams and drivers in the U.S. interested in the proven success and engineering of Hyundai TCR vehicles, the i30 N TCR remains a readily available and supported option through Bryan Herta Autosport. Both models are fully homologated for TCR series competition, emphasizing Hyundai’s commitment to offering diverse and competitive options within the TCR landscape.
Bryan Herta Autosport’s role extends beyond fielding their own team; they are the exclusive U.S. sales agent for both the Veloster N TCR and i30 N TCR. The Veloster N TCR is priced at €135,000 (approximately $155,000 USD, excluding shipping, and subject to exchange rate fluctuations), with deliveries commencing in March 2019. Prospective teams can directly contact Bryan Herta Autosport for purchase inquiries and to secure their Hyundai TCR race cars. Furthermore, BHA provides comprehensive technical support, spares, and parts, ensuring a robust support network for all Hyundai TCR teams in the United States.
To further incentivize participation and reward success, Hyundai Motor America has established a contingency awards program for customer teams competing in both the 2019 IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge and the 2019 Blancpain GT World Challenge. This program offers substantial payouts for top finishes in each race, as well as for championship standings. Both the Veloster N TCR and i30 N TCR are eligible for contingency awards in the IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge TCR class, demonstrating Hyundai’s commitment to supporting customer racing endeavors with both models.
2019 MICHELIN PILOT CHALLENGE TCR CLASS SCHEDULE
| Dates | Location | Track |
|---|---|---|
| January 25 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Daytona International Speedway |
| March 15 | Sebring, Florida | Sebring International Raceway |
| May 4 | Lexington, Ohio | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course |
| June 29 | Watkins Glen, New York | Watkins Glen International |
| July 6 | Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park |
| July 20 | Lakeville, Connecticut | Lime Rock Park |
| August 3 | Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin | Road America |
| August 24 | Alton, Virginia | VIRginia International Raceway |
| September 14 | Monterey, California | WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca |
| October 11 | Braselton, Georgia | Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta |
HYUNDAI VELOSTER N TCR TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: Hyundai Motorsport 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged
Power (Max): 350 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque (Max): 450 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed sequential gearbox with pneumatic paddle-shift
Brakes (Front): 380mm ventilated brake discs with Hyundai Motorsport-branded six-piston Brembo calipers
Brakes (Rear): 278mm brake discs with two-piston calipers
Weight: 1,285kg minimum (including driver)
Price: €135,000 (approximately $155,000 in U.S.)
Through Bryan Herta Autosport, Hyundai is making a strong statement in the U.S. motorsports scene. The availability of both the Veloster N TCR and i30 N TCR, coupled with robust sales and support infrastructure and a generous contingency program, positions Hyundai as a major player in TCR racing within North America. Teams and drivers now have access to world-class TCR machinery backed by a championship-winning organization, promising an exciting era for Hyundai in US motorsports.
