FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — For the first time, Hyundai Motor America is set to compete in the ADAC TotalEnergies 24 Hour Race at Germany’s Nurburgring circuit on May 20-21.
Hyundai Motor America alongside Hyundai Motorsport GmbH will partner with Target Competition to field a single Elantra N TCR entry piloted by a veteran lineup of Hyundai drivers from Bryan Herta Autosport.
The driver lineup will feature the reigning IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Championship pairing of Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis alongside Mason Filippi and Harry Gottsacker.
“Hyundai and Bryan Herta Autosport give us such great opportunities,” said Lewis. “It is cool to compete in a historic, unique, and crazy event where we can showcase Hyundai’s vehicles amongst the great competition out there. 24 Hours around probably the most difficult circuit out there, but we love it and that’s the kind of stuff we look to do. Thank you to Hyundai for making this happen for us and we will do our best and have fun.”
The 2023 debut for Hyundai Motor America comes after the manufacturer initially intended to enter in the Nurburgring 24 Hours in 2020 prior to the Coronavirus pandemic.
“I look forward to representing Hyundai USA in an international program for the first time in Germany,” said Hagler. “We will have the opportunity to sample a wide range of the race-prepared versions of the N vehicles as we work to qualify for the race. It will be a busy spring balancing the logistics of our IMSA and Nürburgring 24 schedules and spending time on the simulator to prepare for the race!”
To be eligible to compete, all four Hyundai BHA drivers are required to participate in informative classes, Nurburgring Endurance Series races and a specific qualifying race ahead of their entry into the ADAC TotalEnergies 24 Hour event.
Within the required NLS races, all four drivers will pilot a Hyundai i30 N streetcar featuring only slightly modified safety equipment in co-driver pairings of Hagler and Lewis then Gottsacker and Filippi.
Given the eligibility requirements, the drivers will be taking six trips to Germany leading up to the start of the Nurburgring 24 Hours weekend. BHA’s drivers will be making a quick transition from their regular duties in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge events to travel to Germany for their upcoming NLS races.
Immediately after the checkered flag waves at Sebring International Raceway, drivers will depart to ensure their timely participation in their first NLS race.
Expanding on Hyundai’s international reach around the Nurburgring 24 Hours, Jeff Ricca of Ricca Autosport will represent Hyundai Motor America within the VT2 class of the Hyundai i30 Fastback N Cup as the sole driver from the United States via Hyundai’s “Dare to Dream” global program.
Ricca currently drives a Hyundai Elantra N in the TC class of the 2023 SRO TC America Powered by Skip Barber Racing School championship and has previous experience at the 24-hour event providing key knowledge of European competition.