Customer racing bulletin TCR
IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
Hyundai Motorsport customers took all three IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge titles from the series finale at Road Atlanta (October 8-11). Fourth place in the Elantra N TCR he shared with Mason Filippi was enough to give Harry Gottsacker his second drivers’ title in the series, following his 2023 success, and to secure the teams’ title for Bryan Herta Autosport’s #98 entry. Hyundai, meanwhile, secured their sixth manufacturers’ title. Preston Brown and Denis Dupont, in another of Bryan Herta Autosport’s Elantra N TCR entries, finished second in the championship, having also finished second in the two-hour race which completed the season.
TCR Eastern Europe
Janík Motorsport continued their excellent record in TCR Eastern Europe, winning both the teams’ and drivers’ titles with Czech driver Adam Kout at Balaton Park (September 26-28). Kout, who began the weekend with a narrow lead in the championship, took a big step towards the crown with victory in Race 1, but it was only after the retirement of his championship rival early in Race 2 that his success was confirmed. Still, the Elantra N TCR driver carved through the field in the reverse-grid race to complete a 1–2 finish for the team behind Jiří Zbožínek, who scored his maiden win in the series.
TCR Chinese Taipei
A near-perfect weekend at the season finale at Lihpao Racing Park (October 25-26) delivered the TCR Chinese Taipei title for Jeong Weon Choi. The KMSA Motorsport driver started the weekend second in the standings, three points behind his rival, but pole position and a lights-to-flag win in Race 1 switched the positions at the top of the points and put the Korean Elantra N TCR driver in control. Choi’s performance in Race 2 left the championship in little doubt. Once again, he qualified on pole and converted the advantage into the lead, which he held all race to clinch his second TCR title, after winning TCR Japan in 2024.
TCR Panama
Elantra N TCR driver Emilio Valverde became the first-ever champion in TCR Panama after finishing second in both races of the series’ final weekend of the year at Autódromo Panamá (October 25-26). The CHM Motorsport driver came home second in both races in another strong meeting for him and Hyundai Motorsport customers, as Luis Ramírez won his first two races in the championship in his Hyundai Petroautos-entered Elantra N TCR
TCR Europe
Korean driver Junesung Park finished his first season in TCR Europe with victory in the final race of the season at Barcelona (September 26-28). The Solite Indigo Racing driver converted pole position for the reverse-grid race into a lights-to-flag win in his Elantra N TCR. The victory, his first in the championship, rounded out a strong weekend as he was the best-placed Hyundai Motorsport customer in the opening race, finishing sixth. The combination of results also left him the highest-ranked Elantra N TCR driver in the final standings. During the final weekend, there were also top-ten finishes for Park’s teammate Junui Park, Max Hart, and series debutant Gabriele Covini.
TCR Italy
Michele Imberti scored his second win of the TCR Italy season, taking Race 1 of the championship’s finale weekend at Misano (October 24-26). He lined up second on an all-Elantra N TCR front row alongside BRC Racing Team driver Gabriele Covini, who became the only driver this year to score more than one pole position. However, it was the Kombat Motorsport driver who made the better start to take a lead he held until the chequered flag. In Race 2, Alex Ley picked up his fourth podium of the year in his BRC Racing Team entry, cementing third place in the final points standings – the best of the Hyundai Motorsport customers.
