Balance of Performance restricts i30 N TCR potential
Our customer, BRC Racing Team, endured a tough start to their 2019 WTCR campaign, as all four drivers and cars were hampered by Balance of Performance restrictions in the Race of Morocco.
However there were some positives to take away as the i30 N TCR registered a pole position and victory in the reverse-grid second race of the weekend.
Gabriele reigns again
Reigning WTCR champion Gabriele Tarquini secured an impressive race win from the first row despite the BoP disadvantage. The BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse driver also finished just shy of the podium in Race 1.
“It was fantastic to win despite a non-competitive car caused by the BoP, which we hope will change for the next round,” he said.
Team-mate Norbert Michelisz finished in the top-ten in all three races after a tough weekend. “P15 in qualifying for Race 2 and 3 was not ideal, especially on a street circuit where it’s difficult to overtake. However I think it was a solid performance,” he said.
It was a weekend of learning for BRC Hyundai N LUKOIL Racing Team’s two newcomers Augusto Farfus and Nicky Catsburg around the 2.971km Circuit Moulay el Hassan.
Balanced review
Augusto retired from the final race with a mechanical problem while running in the points. Nicky took pole position in Race 2’s reverse grid, but suffered a brake failure while in a comfortable lead. He was unable to start the final race.
“It was a good weekend until our failure,” said Augusto. “It’s a shame not to get those points, but it’s a long season and we’ll put our head down.”
Nicky added: “I struggled a lot all weekend with my brakes and found it difficult to race the other cars. We could have scored a lot of points, but unfortunately we didn’t.”
Summarising a challenging opening round of the new season, Team Principal of BRC Racing Team Gabriele Rizzo said: “We have been struggling to extract the maximum out of the i30 N TCR because of the BoP. A race win and some important points scored by all four drivers is some positive news to from the weekend, but we want to be consistently fighting at the front. We’re hoping the Balance of Performance is adjusted to allow us to do so.”
The next round of the WTCR season, the Race of Hungary, takes place from April 26-28.
