Customer racing bulletin TCR

TCR Eastern Europe

Two victories and then two second places over the last two weekends of TCR Eastern Europe competition have given Adam Kout a narrow lead heading into the season finale. The Janík Motorsport driver won both races at the Slovakia Ring (August 22-24), taking Race 1 from pole position, before rising from eighth on the grid to win Race 2 ahead of his title rival, who finished second in both encounters. Roles were reversed at Brno (September 5-7), but only after late passes in both races pushed Kout back into second place. The Czech Elantra N TCR driver led from pole in Race 1 until the penultimate lap and resisted pressure in Race 2 until the final lap before being overtaken.

TCR Chinese Taipei

Joeng Weon Choi and his TCR Chinese Taipei title rival again shared the race victories at the third weekend of the season at Lihpao (August 29-30). The South Korean Elantra N TCR driver won Race 1 of the weekend from pole position but came off worst from contact while fighting for the Race 2 lead, retiring from the race. The lost points dropped the KMSA Motorsport driver to second in the points with just one weekend of the season remaining.

TCR Panama

Two victories for Emilio Valverde at the penultimate round of the TCR Panama season at Autodromo Panama (August 22-23) placed the Elantra N TCR driver on the verge of lifting the title. The win in Race 1 came after he moved from second on the grid into the lead on the opening lap of the race and later held his challengers at bay after a Safety Car period. Valverde started Race 2 sixth but worked his way through the order to add another victory to his tally, while Argentinean driver Damián Fineschi, in third, placed another Elantra N TCR on the podium.

IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge 

Preston Brown and Denis Dupont lead the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge by just 20 points after the series’ race at VIRginia International Raceway (August 22-24). The pair finished seventh in the two-hour race to surpass Bryan Herta Autosport team-mate Harry Gottsacker at the head of the standings. The best of the Elantra N TCR in the race was the pole-sitting example shared by Bryson Morris and Mark Wilkins, which came home second after being overtaken for the lead with five laps to go.  

TCR Europe

Target Competition driver Max Hart took advantage of some final corner drama in Race 2 of the TCR Europe weekend at Red Bull Ring (September 5-7) to snatch third place. The Irishman had been part of the top five battle for the entire race, pressuring for a podium place for much of the race. When the two drivers in front of him came together at the final corner, he was in perfect position to capitalize. Hart was also the best finishing Hyundai Motorsport customer in Race 1, coming home seventh in his Elantra N TCR.