Genesis – Hyundai Motor Group’s premium brand – has announced that it is set to compete in the top level of endurance racing with an LMDh prototype. The new project adds another pillar to Hyundai Motorsports’ portfolio, which currently includes …
Genesis — Hyundai Motor Group’s premium brand — has announced that it is set to compete in the top level of endurance racing with an LMDh prototype. The new project adds another pillar to Hyundai Motorsports’ portfolio, which currently includes programs in WRC and TCR competition.
“Genesis is proud to announce its ambitious entry into the world of endurance racing through the LMDh program,” a company statement read. “Genesis is actively exploring programs to strengthen its high-performance image, and after a thorough evaluation of various options, LMDh emerged as the most strategic choice for us at this time.
“We have carefully analyzed LMDh and found it to be a natural fit for our motorsport ambitions and a valuable platform to drive the development of future mobility technologies for road cars. Endurance racing presents an unparalleled opportunity to showcase Genesis’ cutting-edge technology, design philosophy and performance-driven character in a highly competitive arena. This project is part of our broader vision for the future of mobility.”
The announcement included no confirmation of a chassis partner, no timeline for the car’s debut and no indication of which championships it will enter. However, industry sources suggest that the program will see the Korean brand compete in both the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class as well as IMSA’s GTP category, meaning it will have a presence at both the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Le Mans 24 Hours, subject to entries being approved.
As for its chassis partner, RACER sources suggest ORECA has been chosen and the target is for a 2026 debut. A works team is being put together for the WEC arm and the selection process for an IMSA service provider in understood to be in its final stages.
“All of us at IMSA are so thrilled that Genesis shared their plans to join the top category of endurance sports car racing,” said IMSA President John Doonan.
“We’re eagerly anticipating more information from Genesis as details of their program become available, and we will proudly welcome them to the growing Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) category grid across the entire IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. To add another brand to the ranks of GTP is so special for our sport and most importantly for our fans. The commitment of so many manufacturers to the LMDh technical platform is a strong validation of where sports car racing is positioned and where we continue to head into the future.”
As RACER reported yesterday, development of the program is well underway with staff members being moved close to the Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France. An ELMS LMP2 effort is being put together for next year to enable key personnel to get up to speed with ACO racing.
Genesis Motor is a very recent addition to the global automotive family, launched in late 2015 as an independent brand of the Hyundai Motor Company. The brand launch came after Genesis was featured for more than a decade as the halo model name for Hyundai with both luxury sedans and sports coupes named Hyundai Genesis.
This story has been updated to include quotes from IMSA’s John Doonan
While there has been no official expression of interest by Hyundai in a Hypercar and/or GTP sports car program, it appears that such an announcement is imminent on the part of the Korean-based manufacturer. Sources have suggested to RACER that an …
While there has been no official expression of interest by Hyundai in a Hypercar and/or GTP sports car program, it appears that such an announcement is imminent on the part of the Korean-based manufacturer. Sources have suggested to RACER that an alliance with ORECA on an LMDh car for the FIA World Endurance Championship has been made and that key staff are already in the process of relocating to the Paul Ricard area in the south of France, with an IMSA program to follow shortly afterwards.
Hyundai, which currently fields a World Rally Championship program, is is expected to join the FIA WEC in 2026 with an in-house team, although significant current industry expertise is understood to be being gathered around the effort.
In preparation for the effort, the automaker is expected to form a team to compete in LMP2 in the 2025 European Le Mans Series. This would allow key personnel to gain experience with the ACO rulebook, although it would be unlikely to feature Hyundai branding. Several partnership options believed to be on the table including current ELMS teams and at least one with expertise in an entirely different area of motorsport.
As for the IMSA GTP effort — whether competing as Hyundai or its Genesis halo brand — there are a number of options on the table for a service provider, with Chip Ganassi Racing believed to be a front-runner.
Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian returns to IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge competition in 2024 with a four-car Hyundai Elantra N TCR effort. That includes 2023 series champions Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens returning as co-drivers to …
Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian returns to IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge competition in 2024 with a four-car Hyundai Elantra N TCR effort. That includes 2023 series champions Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens returning as co-drivers to defend their title in the No. 33.
Gottsacker and Wickens earned seven second-place finishes in 10 races last season, a new series record. Gottsacker enters his sixth season with BHA, with which he has recorded five series victories and holds the series record for pole positions with seven.
Wickens enters his third season racing for Hyundai. The Canadian made his racing debut with hand controls driving a Hyundai in 2021, when he returned to competition after devastating injuries sustained in a 2018 IndyCar accident. It took Wickens just two years to become the first driver in North America to win a professional title driving with hand controls. He’s tallied two victories and eight podiums, although he’s still searching for his first race victory driving with Gottsacker.
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Bryson Morris joins two-time series champion Taylor Hagler in the No. 77 Elantra N TCR. Morris made his debut with the team in 2023 at the season finale at Road Atlanta, where the pair finished eighth.
“I am really excited to be joining BHA for the 2024 season,” said Morris. “I saw immense potential with the one-off race I did last year at Road Atlanta, and I think we can build off that together, and have a great season. I am looking forward to really learning this car, and I am hoping to be on the podium or even get a win this year alongside Taylor.”
Denis Dupont and Preston Brown have joined BHA, and will make their debut at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 driving the No. 76 Elantra N TCR. They welcome a third driver, Nick Looijmans at Daytona for the four-hour season opener.
Returning for their second season as teammates after a successful season in 2023 that included three wins and a total of eight podium finishes, Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi will drive the No. 98 Elantra N TCR. Wilkins is the 2019 IMPC Champion and has 11 TCR victories, having won at least once each season since joining BHA and driving for Hyundai. Filippi has amassed six wins and four pole positions since his debut with the team as a rookie in 2019, and has finished second in the championship twice (2019 and 2023).
The 2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge season begins Jan. 26 with a four-hour race at Daytona International Speedway,
Hyundai is trying to open some eyes to the performance potential of its N vehicles, and its cars in general. Of course, five straight championships in IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Challenge in the TCR class with Bryan Herta Autosport goes a long way toward …
Hyundai is trying to open some eyes to the performance potential of its N vehicles, and its cars in general. Of course, five straight championships in IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Challenge in the TCR class with Bryan Herta Autosport goes a long way toward establishing performance cred, but it doesn’t reach everybody. So, Hyundai has launched the Hyundai Driving Experience in the U.S.
Hyundai has run similar programs elsewhere — South Korea, Germany, and China, for example — but recently held its first U.S. event at Sonoma Raceway. Over the course of five days, 200 people had the opportunity to experience Hyundai’s N performance vehicles in a series of safety oriented tests and lead-follows around the California road course.
“It’s bringing enthusiasm to life, so to speak,” explains Erik Thomas, the director of Experiential and Multicultural Marketing at Hyundai Motor America. “Not as many people as we would like know about Hyundai N and when they do. They understand it’s about performance … but just seeing isn’t believing; you really need to get behind the wheel and have that experience. We’re still finding that sort of surprise and delight, and this is just part of the story of Hyundai’s performance, and it’s integral that people have that experience. It starts with the products, but also a motorsports story that really kind of proved that. And now that the motorsports stories are built out, we’re bringing that experience to consumers to actually have for themselves.”
The Experience plays out over a day and a half, starting with a safety briefing after checking into the hotel. The safety briefing is followed by a gourmet dinner, in this case featuring the area’s celebrated wines. The next day is filled with driving. First is a series of safety-oriented experiences — oversteer control, emergency braking, avoidance, and braking while turning, along with a timed slalom course. Then, after a nice lunch, it’s time for lead-follows around the track. Those lead-follows could be about as spirited as the participants were comfortable with.
“Part of this event is very much the lifestyle. It’s really telling the story of where our brand is and who we are. So this experience is not just the driving but a combination — great food, great drink the night before, in moderation of course — and driving entertainment,” says Thomas.
The surprising thing about the Experience? It’s free. And that includes the hotel, meals and the day of driving. (Side note: Hyundai wanted me and other journalists to participate enough that they provided a flight to the Bay Area and gave me a bright red 276hp Kona N, one of the vehicles used in the Experience along with the Elantra N, to drive while there. Otherwise I received the same experience that anyone else would receive). Hyundai does require a deposit from invited participants, returned upon participation, to make sure people don’t claim spots they won’t use.
Attendees at the inaugural event included owners and those who have expressed an interest in the Hyundai N line. One of those was Nicholas Moore, who visited a Hyundai exhibit at an IMSA race weekend and gave his e-mail to receive more info.
“I think for a free event, this is one of the best intro experiences to track driving you can have,” says Moore. “They put us up in a hotel for the night. The instructors were extremely welcoming and they had most of the instruction the night before, which is perfect — that way you’re not spending a lot of time in the morning before you get out there. They’ve done a great job with a lot of driver training exercises before you do some lead-follow track driving. Overall, a great experience.”
Hyundai Motor America was pleased with the way the event played out, and is planning two more in 2024, likely returning to Sonoma. But they’ll also be looking at other locations that allow a similar experience. Beyond that, other experiences, such as winter driving, may be added.
“We’re delighted with the results, and it’s part of a larger plan to continue to grow these experiences across the U.S. to tell the story,” says Thomas. “We’re executing here performance and safety, really showcasing the N product; but long-term, the driving experience speaks to all the Hyundai products including electric vehicles, winter-type driving or capability driving that will really demonstrate our SUVs and our HTRAC all-wheel-drive system. It will augment and continue to build on showcasing N … and what’s neat about N is it speaks to not only ICE, but also electrification. The new Ioniq 5 N was just launched, and with production next year, we’re going to be adding it to the Experience as well. It brings a whole new dynamic of driving experience and fun.”
Hyundai will be reaching out to customers and those who have expressed an interest in its products, particularly the N vehicles, for the next Experience. So if you’re one of those, keep an eye on your inbox.
Seven times on the podium. Six times in second place. Never a victory. But still a championship … and perhaps as inspirational a title as has been seen in motorsports. Consistency bringing its own rewards was the story for Harry Gottsacker and …
Seven times on the podium. Six times in second place. Never a victory. But still a championship … and perhaps as inspirational a title as has been seen in motorsports.
Consistency bringing its own rewards was the story for Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens this season in claiming the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR championship for Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai. It’s a strange position to be in for both of them. Last season, paired with different drivers — Canadians Wickens and Mark Wilkins as one pairing, and Gottsacker with Parker Chase — both drivers scored at least one win. Together, victory eluded them. But they’re OK with that.
“It wasn’t how I drew it up between IMS and Road Atlanta, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter,” Wickens said. “It’s been a year building towards this. It’s a little weird that … I don’t know if it’s been done before, but we won the championship without winning a race. It just goes to show how strong we were as a team. We went through a lot of adversity, we didn’t have a perfect season, but we had very good damage limitation when we needed it. And I think that’s really what was the deciding factor.”
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The championship was the first in IMPC for both drivers, and the first since Wickens was paralyzed after an accident in an IndyCar Series race, in his second year after returning to racing. It capped off another great year for Bryan Herta Autosport, which has won five straight drivers championships. The manufacturers’ championship is Hyundai’s fourth.
“What a day. We got the manufacturers’ championship and the drivers’ championship,” marveled Gottsacker. “I’ve been running TCR for a while now, was second place a couple years ago in the championship, and to finally break through and be the champion means a lot — and a lot of weight off the shoulders.”
Not only did Gottsacker and Wickens take the title, Wilkins and Mason Filippi finished second in the championship with three victories, including the season-ending Fox Factory 120 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
“Today was probably our sweetest day since we partnered with Hyundai,” declared BHA principal Herta. “Certainly, the challenge for the championships was harder than it’s ever been, and we couldn’t be prouder of Harry and Robbie and the 33 team, but also of every member of our team who contributed to this success. We know there will be hard work ahead to get ready for next year, but right now we want to savor and celebrate.”
Added team co-owner Sean Jones, “We’ve won a few but this one’s a bit a bit special with Harry and Robert. Everyone knows Robert’s story. And for Bryan and I and the good folks at Hyundai and the team in general, these two guys bringing it home is a little bit different for our organization.”
For Wickens, the short-term frustration of seeing potential wins get away was more than offset by the satisfaction of bringing home the championships for Hyundai. Jake Galstad/Motorsport Images
The effect of this championship will likely ripple well beyond the finale at Road Atlanta and the championship celebration that followed. Wickens’ trip from DTM star to IndyCar rookie sensation to the accident at Pocono that left him a paraplegic was a tragic arc. His journey from there to the first test using hand controls with BHA at Mid-Ohio, to a full-time ride where he scored two victories to bookend the birth of Wesley Joseph Wickens was emotional and inspirational. This championship, his first since Formula Renault 3.5 in 2011, will only add to the legend. And the fact that it came without a win? Wickens is OK with that.
“Looking back through the year there were obviously a couple of slips in the closing stages that, when you watch replays, maybe I could have done things differently,” Wickens said. “But I’d much rather have this feeling right now than the short-term ecstasy of winning a race, right? And so it doesn’t bother me at all. Obviously, in the moment, it bothers me when you lose a race late. But to stand here as champions, to me, it doesn’t matter at all.”
What’s to come next year, or how BHA will shuffle the driver pairings for the 2024 season is yet to be revealed. But Wickens, happy to stay at BHA and defend the title, is also looking at what’s next.
“I would be more than happy to return with with Bryan and Hyundai and try to protect our championship,” he said. “But I would love the opportunity to try and get into the WeatherTech [SportsCar Championship] in some way, shape or form.”
In the meantime, there is much to celebrate and relish, even as the work begins immediately for next year.
A late-race shower near the conclusion of the Fox Factory 120 created slippery conditions Friday at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta that gave the winning driver a fright and created a full-course caution for the two-hour event’s final minutes that …
A late-race shower near the conclusion of the Fox Factory 120 created slippery conditions Friday at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta that gave the winning driver a fright and created a full-course caution for the two-hour event’s final minutes that scrambled championship implications for the Grand Sport (GS) class in the season finale of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.
The Motul Pole Award-winning No. 69 Motorsports In Action McLaren Artura GT4 led the two-hour contest essentially from start to finish, with Alex Filsinger handing off to Jesse Lazare with 50 minutes remaining. Lazare had to contend with slowly intensifying rain in the contest’s final half-hour, with the slick track no doubt contributing to Denis Dupont’s spin in the No. 15 Rockwell Autosport Development Audi RS3 LMS SEQ with less than eight minutes to go that brought out the critical yellow flag.
At that point, Lazare held a 1.7s lead over Elliott Skeer in the No. 47 NOLASPORT Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport he shared with Adam Adelson, with Stevan McAleer (co-driver Eric Filgueras) running third in the No. 28 RS1 Porsche. The race ended under caution in that order, with Filsinger and Lazare claiming their first Michelin Pilot Challenge win of the year as well as the first in North American competition for the McLaren Artura.
The No. 69 McLaren gained speed and confidence throughout the second half of the season, including another Motul Pole Award at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. But Filsinger and Lazare’s top finish prior to Friday was 10th place at Watkins Glen International.
“Our pace was incredible, but as the rain came at the end, being the first car was kind of like being the guinea pig,” Lazare said. “It was definitely on the sketchy side. But we stayed on track and we finished strong. I’m extremely happy for the team because we worked hard all year and didn’t have the best of luck. We made wrong decisions on our part, so this really means a lot to end on a high note.”
Filsinger was impressive in leading comfortably during his opening stint. “I just put my head down, drove forward and tried to repeat my qualifying lap every lap,” he said. “First win in IMSA is an incredible feeling, and to have it at the last race of the year at Road Atlanta, which is such an iconic venue, is an incredible feeling.”
When the checkered flag flew, it appeared that the No. 71 Rebel Rock Racing Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R and drivers Frank DePew and Robin Liddell had earned the GS class championship by finishing sixth over Robby Foley and Vin Barletta in the No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT4. But the late caution that closed the pits prevented two cars that finished between Liddell and Foley in 13th place (the No. 14 and No. 50 Toyota Supra GT4 EVOs that crossed the line in eighth and 10th place, respectively) were penalized a lap for drive-time violations.
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The elevation of the No. 96 BMW to 11th place resulted in a 20-point swing that lifted the Turner BMW duo to the title by 10 markers over the Rebel Rock Chevy. Mercedes-AMG claimed its second GS class manufacturer championship in a row and third since entering Michelin Pilot Challenge competition in 2019.
Foley and Barletta did not learn they were champions until about half an hour after the conclusion of the race as officials verified the penalties. By then, Barletta had departed Michelin Raceway to honor a family commitment.
“It’s certainly not the way you want to win it; it would have been nice for it to be a bit more straightforward,” said Foley. “We have some really smart guys on our team who were crunching numbers and it was super stressful. I told them, ‘When I cross the finish line, just tell me what’s going on.’
“We thought we were in a good position with strategy, but we basically missed the leader pitting by a lap and got trapped a lap down,” he continued. “The BMWs struggled for pace here, but we kind of had a lucky one come to us at the end. Great execution by our team, and it’s a very special feeling to be sitting here as champions.”
“This one was definitely a rollercoaster and it feels a little surreal,” added Turner Motorsport owner Will Turner. “I would rather have won it without the rollercoaster ride, but this whole series is a rollercoaster in a lot of ways. You never know who’s going to win – it’s never cut and dry, and today’s race and the championship was proof of that.”
Michael Levitt/Lumen
BHA doubles its fun: No. 98 Hyundai wins TCR race, No. 33 takes title
First, second and – most importantly – the championship.
From every perspective, Friday’s Touring Car (TCR) race was a triumphant affair for Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian.
Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins teamed to win the season finale in the No. 98 BHA Hyundai Elantra N TCR, while Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens clinched the TCR championship by finishing fourth in the No. 33 BHA Hyundai Elantra N TCR.
To add to the celebration, Bryan Ortiz and Tyler Maxson combined to finish second in the No. 91 van der Steur Racing Hyundai Elantra N TCR.
While the No. 98 car led from the first lap of the two-hour race, it wasn’t as simple as that. Rain began to fall during the final minutes, leaving the TCR field to fight to stay on track before finishing under caution.
“I wouldn’t say we had it under control,” Wilkins said. “Tyler is really quick. He’s always really quick. If there’s a guy I don’t want there, it’s probably him. He’s fast, and he’s proven that time and time again.”
Wickens and Gottsacker came into the race with a 20-point lead over Chris Miller and Mikey Taylor in the No. 17 Unitronic/JDC-Miller MotorSports Audi RS3 LMS TCR, but Miller experienced a mechanical issue on the first lap and didn’t return to the race.
Miller, who won the pole hours before the start, lost power shortly after leading the field to the green flag. That effectively put Wickens and Gottsacker in command for the championship. They held on for fourth in the race and celebrated the championship.
The No. 33 didn’t win a race this season but finished second in six of the 10 Michelin Pilot Challenge races.
“It wasn’t how I drew it up, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter,” Wickens said. “It’s been a year building toward this. It’s a little weird. I don’t know if it’s been done before, winning a championship without winning a race. It just goes to show how strong we were as a team. We went through a lot of adversity. We didn’t have a perfect season, but we had very good damage limitation when we needed it, and I think that really was the deciding factor.”
After Miller encountered the opening-lap issue, Filippi took the lead in the No. 98 Elantra with Gottsacker chasing him in the No. 33. Filippi gave way to Wilkins, who charged to the front and managed the late rainfall.
“This car is so good around here,” Filippi said. “Mark jumped in and had a great stint. It was awesome to watch him battle out there. I wasn’t jealous when it started raining. It looked like a lot of fun, but it also looked a little sketchy.”
Ryan Eversley and Mike LaMarra finished third in the LA Honda World Racing Honda Civic FL5 TCR.
Mason Filippi was fastest when it counted, dominating the late stages of the Lime Rock Park 100 at the picturesque Connecticut road course of the same name. Filippi took over the No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian Hyundai Elantra N TCR …
Mason Filippi was fastest when it counted, dominating the late stages of the Lime Rock Park 100 at the picturesque Connecticut road course of the same name.
Filippi took over the No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian Hyundai Elantra N TCR from Mark Wilkins exactly halfway through Saturday’s 100-minute race that was a unique standalone event for the Touring Car (TCR) class of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. He exited the pits with an 8.4s deficit to Ryan Eversley, whose teammate Mat Pombo claimed the Motul Pole Award and led the first 45 minutes.
But Pombo pitted the No. 37 Honda Civic FL5 TCR three laps earlier than his LA Honda World Racing team had planned, due to excessive tire wear. Compounding the challenge for finishing driver Eversley, a miscommunication during the pit stop forced him into extreme fuel-saving mode and he ultimately fell to third place behind the No. 33 BHA Hyundai shared by Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker.
Filippi eased past Eversley’s Honda through “Big Bend” Turn 1 with 12 minutes remaining. By the time he took the checkered flag, the No. 98 Hyundai was 20.587s ahead of the No. 33 in one of the most convincing wins in recent Michelin Pilot Challenge memory.
“Mark (Wilkins) was on the radio giving me information about what kind of (lap time) target to hit and I knew the deficit I had to make up,” Filippi said. “I could see (Eversley) at the end of the straightaway, then I was getting closer and closer. It was awesome. With about 15 minutes left, my engineer Chris Finch said it was ‘go time,’ and that’s what we did.
“It felt great – just incredible, and I can’t thank my team enough.”
Wilkins said that he placed great importance on qualifying well at Lime Rock, a short 1.478-mile road course where traffic is often an issue. He started the race from the outside of the front row and actually passed Pombo on the track for the lead prior to the round of pit stops.
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“You really have to lay it on the line to get to the front,” Wilkins said. “I pushed really hard, and we just drove a smart race. We’ve got a really great synergy on the No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport team. We’re having fun, and when you’re having fun, these kind of things happen. Second win of the year feels great.”
The latest win for the No. 98 team (the other in 2023 came at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in May) lifted Wilkins and Filippi into the lead of the TCR standings, unofficially 10 points ahead of Wickens and Gottsacker.
Eversley was disappointed to not convert Pombo’s fifth TCR pole position this year for the No. 37 Honda into a win, but he was encouraged by the podium finish.
“We had a very fast car, but after about 40 minutes, the tire fall-off was dramatic. Then, because I was trying to save so much fuel, the last 10 laps of the race, I think I was 5-7s off the pace,” Eversley said. “You’re not even driving at that point.
“I was just trying to get us to the podium, and glad it worked out. We needed this podium pretty bad.”
The next round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge is the Road America 120, part of the IMSA SportsCar Weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, August 4-6.
Hyundai is taking IMSA Michelin Pilot TCR champions Michael Lewis and Taylor Hagler, along with fellow Bryan Herta Autosport racers Mason Filippi and Harry Gottsacker, to one of the world’s toughest 24-hour races, the ADAC TotalEnergies 24 Hour Race …
Hyundai is taking IMSA Michelin Pilot TCR champions Michael Lewis and Taylor Hagler, along with fellow Bryan Herta Autosport racers Mason Filippi and Harry Gottsacker, to one of the world’s toughest 24-hour races, the ADAC TotalEnergies 24 Hour Race at Germany’s Nurburgring circuit in May. Hyundai Motor America alongside Hyundai Motorsport GmbH will partner with Target Competition to field a single Elantra N TCR entry piloted by the veteran lineup of Hyundai drivers from BHA.
“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.”
Since 1970, the Nurburgring 24 Hours has been a staple on the European racing network that highlights touring cars and GT endurance racing. Team Target Competition is no stranger to the world of TCR racing in Europe and gives a familiarity to the Hyundai BHA drivers ahead of their debut.
Target Competition has earned championship accolades, including back-to-back drivers and team championship titles in the TCR International Series (2015) and in ADAC TCR Germany series (2016, 2017) as well as capturing the TCR Europe Trophy in 2017.
The Hyundai Elantra N TCR that the racers will drive is a clone to the Elantra Ns that they drive in IMPC, where Lewis and Hagler have taken the drivers championship two years straight and Hyundai has claimed he manufacturers championship as well.
“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 Nurburgring 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, Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) races and a specific qualifying race ahead of their entry into the ADAC TotalEnergies 24 Hours 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 24 Hours weekend. Immediately after the checkered flag waves at Sebring, drivers will depart to ensure their timely participation in their first NLS race.
“I am very grateful for Hyundai making this happen, and it’s an honor to represent Team America at the Nürburgring,” Filippi said. “I cannot wait for each of the six trips and to run as many laps as possible to learn such a grueling, but fun track. Hyundais are fun to drive and it will be exciting to get behind even more N models while roasting around the Nordschleife. The Nurburgring is my favorite track I’ve ever driven, and I am fulfilling one of my dreams by competing there over the next few months.”
Expanding on Hyundai’s international reach around the Nürburgring 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.
While Kansas City continues the Super Bowl feeling-partying into this week with uncontainable pride-the commercial rush continues for the spots that were ranked in this year’s USA Today Ad Meter. Based on the views over at AdBlitz, a YouTube …
While Kansas City continues the Super Bowl feeling—partying into this week with uncontainable pride—the commercial rush continues for the spots that were ranked in this year’s USA Today Ad Meter. Based on the views over at AdBlitz, a YouTube exclusive, the top 5 spots are still climbing, with the counts reaching some MVP-worthy praise (no offense, Patrick Mahomes).
Here are the five highest-rated spots from the Ad Meter rankings, with the current tallies from AdBlitz.
1. Jeep: “Groundhog Day”
People are paying a personal homage to “Groundhog Day” and reliving (rewatching?) the top spot from this year, with the view count climbing into the incredible.
Super Bowl Sunday’s matchup between the Chiefs and 49ers wasn’t the only showdown in town, thanks to a catchy Doritos spot featuring Sam Elliott and Lil Nas X. And people are still tuning in to watch this one, so…draw?
Super Bowl LIV is in the books, ending with a big win for the Kanas City Chiefs. Now, only one more thing remains to be decided-what ad took home the top spot in USA Today’s 2020 Ad Meter rankings? More than a few ads submitted for voting this year …
Super Bowl LIV is in the books, ending with a big win for the Kanas City Chiefs. Now, only one more thing remains to be decided—what ad took home the top spot in USA Today’s 2020 Ad Meter rankings?
More than a few ads submitted for voting this year were worthy of consideration, from the thoughtful to the empowering, the funny and sad, and all those surprising spots that make Super Bowl commercials so great!
Here were the top 5 based on the Ad Meter rankings:
1. Jeep: “Groundhog Day,” 7.01
Bill Murray made his first Big Game appearance in this spot for Jeep, which took a perfectly timed Super Bowl date that fell on Groundhog Day and hit it big with a twist on the classic Murray film.
2. Hyundai: “Smaht Pahk,” 6.98
Taking the second spot this year was Hyundai’s comical back and forth with Chris Evans, John Krasinski, Rachel Dratch, and David “Big Papi” Ortiz—who can’t believe the ‘smaht’ Remote Smart Parking Assist feature in the new Hyundai Sonata.
3. Google: “Loretta,” 6.77
One of the most heartfelt ads this year came in at No. 3, with Google’s “Loretta” allowing the audience to to join one man’s trip down memory lane—with a little help from Google—about the love of his life.
4. Doritos: “The Cool Ranch,” 6.62
It’s Doritos coming in at fourth place in 2020. Their spot “The Cool Ranch” featured a western showdown like we’ve never seen before—thanks in part to Lil Nas X and Sam Elliott.
5. Rocket Mortgage: “Comfortable,”
Rocket Mortgage had its best-ever Ad Meter showing, cracking the top 5 with a spot that featured actor Jason Momoa away from the spotlight like you’ve—100 percent!—never seen him before.
