Zhuzhou marks unchartered territory for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse

BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse takes another step into the unknown at the Zhuzhou International Circuit in China this weekend (October 18-20) for the sixth round of the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour.

For the third time in the 2024 Kumho FIA TCR World Tour, the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing outfit will compete at a new venue for the series following appearances at Mid-Ohio and Interlagos earlier this season. And with the Drivers’ championship lead to maintain and the Teams’ championship lead to reclaim, the penultimate event of the 2024 Kumho FIA TCR World Tour takes on added significance.

Having completed five rounds and 10 races, Norbert Michelisz holds a 25-point title advantage. But while second-placed Esteban Guerrieri will carry 10 kilograms of Compensation Weight at Zhuzhou, Hungarian Michelisz will be burdened with 30 kilograms, a handicap his team-mate Azcona also faces.

In contrast, Néstor Girolami will have no extra weight in his Hyundai Elantra N TCR, which is set to give the Argentine a boost on the 3.774-kilometre circuit. While three long straights and a downhill braking point at Turn 3 are expected to provide overtaking opportunities, the stop/start nature of the track layout, with its 14 corners, is set to hinder cars carrying Compensation Weight.

Having faced opposition from the TCR South America drivers during the races at Interlagos and El Pinar, the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour elite will share the grid at Zhuzhou with drivers from the highly competitive TCR China series. This weekend will be TCR China’s second visit of the season to the track, which is located in China’s southern Hunan province. The track hosted the 2024 season opener, where Elantra N TCR driver, and 2023 TCR China champion, Martin Cao won Race 1.

The Italy-based BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse is fielding the 2024 version of the Elantra N TCR in the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour. It reflects the latest facelift applied to the road-going Elantra N, which was launched in September 2023 and offers the benefit of improved front aerodynamics. The three Elantra N TCR cars sport the N Motorsport colours worn by the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid in the FIA World Rally Championship.

Hyundai Motorsport Circuit Racing Project Leader Julien Moncet said:

“El Pinar might have been a difficult weekend, but we head to China with renewed belief following a summer spent working hard on further improving the balance of the Hyundai Elantra N TCR and making performance gains wherever possible. Two months without any racing is a long time but our drivers have focused on staying in shape to ensure they’re ready for the final two events of the season. Zhuzhou is a new track for our three drivers and BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse, but they have all shown a great ability to adapt to new situations on many occasions and we can expect the same in China. With the TCR China competitors joining the grid, we can expect increased competition from drivers with previous track of experience, several of whom compete in Elantra N TCR cars. It won’t be an easy weekend, particularly as Norbi and Mikel will have to carry 30 kilograms of compensation weight, but, as we’ve said before, we won’t give up in our push to win both the Drivers’ and Teams’ championships.”

Driver Notes: #196 Mikel Azcona (ESP), Hyundai Elantra N TCR

• Spaniard heads to China on the back of second-place finish in opening El Pinar race
• First victory of 2024 awaits former champion, who will carry 30 kilograms of compensation weight

Azcona said:

“The last time I was in China was in 2019 when we raced at Ningbo so it’s good to be going back. Zhuzhou looks like quite an interesting track but it’s a bit stop and go and I think we might struggle with the extra 30 kilograms we have to carry. The second sector and the last sector have combined corners and the Hyundai Elantra N TCR is usually a strong car in these sections. After the summer break I can’t wait to get back in the car and racing with the TCR China drivers will be a big challenge. There are some very competitive drivers, including many Hyundai Motorsport customers, so hopefully we can work as a team. The title is still open and as we enter the last sprint of the championship, we need to be super-focused to be in the fight.”

Driver Notes: #129 Néstor Girolami (ARG), Hyundai Elantra N TCR

• After a difficult trip to Uruguay, Girolami will be hoping for a trouble-free outing in China
• The Argentine is set to benefit from not having to run compensation weight at Zhuzhou

Girolami said:

“It’s always nice to come back to race in China. Because it’s a new track for me I have been on my simulator to discover the track. I have also been watching some TCR China races and it looks like being a good track for overtaking with good action and I think it can really suit the Hyundai Elantra N TCR. Turn 9 and Turn 10 should be particularly good for overtaking and hopefully the races will be fun to watch for the fans. The main target is to keep in the fight for both championships. From my side I will focus on the Teams’ championship and try the maximum to reduce the gap of 33 points to our competitor. I will also do all I can to support Norbi to keep his lead of the Drivers’ championship.”

Driver Notes: #105 Norbert Michelisz (HUN), Hyundai Elantra N TCR

• The 2023 TCR World Tour champion heads to Hungary leading the Drivers’ standings by 25 points
• Like team-mate Azcona, Michelisz will carry 30 kilograms of compensation weight at Zhuzhou

Michelisz said:

“I’m not sure what to expect from the races in China because it’s an all-new circuit and anything can happen in terms of our performance compared to the others. We don’t have data from previous years so it’s a jump into the unknown. Carrying the extra weight is going to be very tough to score a lot of points but, like in previous races, I believe we can do a very good job to find the right set-up with our Hyundai Elantra N TCR. I feel in good form, good shape and quite confident so I’m really looking forward to the races. Travelling back to China is also exciting. It was five years ago since we last raced in China, but I always enjoyed going there. The competition from the TCR China drivers will make things quite exciting and I’m hoping for a great weekend with a great atmosphere.”

Weekend at a Glance

• The BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse drivers will get to sample the Zhuzhou International Circuit for the first time on Thursday October 17 with Private Testing from 14:00-14:30 local time (GMT +8). A second Private Testing session follows from 16:00-16:30.
• Free Practice 1 is timetabled from 12:00-12:30 on Friday followed by Free Practice 2 from 15:00-15:30.
• The 20-minute Qualifying Q1 begins at 10:00 on Saturday with the fastest 12 drivers progressing to the 10-minute Q2 starting at 10:25.
• Race 1 is due to begin at 14:00 on Saturday and is scheduled to take place over 16 laps. Race 2 follows at 14:00 on Sunday, again over a distance of 16 laps.
• The Race 1 grid is decided by the Qualifying results with the top 10 from Race 1 lining up in reverse for Race 2.
• In addition to the three Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing drivers, 27 cars appear on the provisional entry list for Zhuzhou weekend, round six of the 2024 Kumho FIA TCR World Tour.