2023 will be an exciting year for the American motorsport industry as Hyundai announced its return to the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in the ST/TCR Champion division. The Korean brand will fight for a fourth-consecutive manufacturer's title in this series. Hyundai is already the only manufacturer that has won this title three times in a row since the beginning of the Michelin Pilot Challenge in 2004.
This series is far more interesting than others because both GS Champion and ST/TCR Champion are racing simultaneously for most races. Also, each event session is about two and a half hours long. This doesn't just make things more challenging for racing but is also a good durability test for cars.
Talking of cars, Hyundai won its 2020, 2021, and 2022 titles with the Veloster N TCR. However, the Korean manufacturer will put five brand-new Elantra N TCRs on the grid for 2023 since the Veloster isn't in production.
The first team is composed of Michael Lewis and Taylor Hagler, the 2022 champions, and they will be driving car No. 1. Team N. 33 starts with a new paring for 2023 with Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker. The car N. 98 will be driven by Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins, the Canadian driver in the 2020 winning car. Cabot Bigham and Matt Jaskol will be behind the wheel of car N. 76. Finally, you have Team N. 78/N. 780 with Jeff Ricca a Sally McNulty from Ricca Autosport.
The 2023 Elantra N TCR
The cars shown in the main picture are from Team N. 1 and Team N. 33 from the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship event back in April 2022. The vehicles show a superb livery and wear the magnificent Performance Blue. This color is also available for most production N models.
Why is racing so crucial for Hyundai?
Even if most Hyundais are recognized for their competence and affordable prices, performances are vital for many buyers. Also, participating in such even as the Michelin Pilot Challenge gives the brand a ton of visibility, especially in North America. If I tell you Formula 1, the first thing that comes to your mind is Ferrari or Mercedes-Benz. Of course, Hyundai doesn't compete at this level, but it doesn't matter. With the Elantra N TCR, Hyundai allows you to drive its close relative, the Elantra N, which makes things even more special.
With five great teams and a brand-new car, we expect Hyundai to bring the TCR champion title home for a fourth consecutive year.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
