Customer racing line-up set for 2022 WTCR season
Our 2022 plans continue to accelerate as we announce two of our Elantra N TCR cars will be present on the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup grid this season.
Following the retirement of Gabriele at the end of last year, Norbert Michelisz will be joined at BRC Racing Team by Spaniard Mikel Azcona – a new name to our stable of Customer Racing drivers.
“Success in the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup competition has always been a major aim of our Customer Racing department,” said Julien, our Deputy Team Director. “Replacing Gabriele, and his wealth of experience, was a tough task, but with Mikel I believe we have the right driver.”
Dynamic duo
The 2019 WTCR driver’s champion, Norbert continues as part of the Cherasco-based outfit for a fifth season, having been part of the line-up since the team’s debut in the series back in 2018. Across his four years in the championship, the Hungarian has amassed a total of seven victories and 18 podiums, all at the wheel of our Customer Racing-built cars
“I am very happy and honoured to confirm a drive in WTCR with the Elantra N TCR and BRC Racing Team,” commented Norbert. “My target is to be competitive from the first moment and add to the successes we have already had in WTCR.”
25-year-old Mikel has established himself as one of the undisputed stars of TCR competition. A two-time champion in TCR Europe, the Spaniard can also boast a pair of King of the Weekend titles from the inaugural PURE ETCR season. In three years of WTCR racing, he has claimed three wins and 12 podium finishes.
“I’m extremely happy and proud to join Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing for the upcoming season,” said Mikel. “I can’t wait to start working with my new teammate, everyone at the BRC Racing Team, to jump into the Elantra N TCR as well and do my best, as always.”
“As the Customer Racing department, we need to be able to support the drivers however needed,” added our Customer Racing Manager, Andrew. “We look forward to working closely with them during the year ahead, and celebrating every success with them.”
Practice makes perfect
Testing for the pair will begin in the coming weeks, giving Mikel his first laps in our Elantra N TCR. The running will include days at several tracks set to be visited by the series during the season, presenting a chance for the drivers and team to make set-up changes and learn more of the nuances of each circuit.
“We know the strength of the team and performance of the car, but after four years we all know how competitive WTCR can be, so we never take anything for granted,” said Julien. “Because of this there is an extensive testing program planned before the first round, to make sure that both drivers can take advantage of every opportunity during the season.”
Our partnership with BRC Racing Team has been one of the most successful combinations in WTCR over the past four years, delivering two drivers’ crowns. With our i30 N TCR, BRC scored 13 race wins and 32 podiums, before taking two victories and four podiums in their first season with our Elantra N TCR.
The WTCR – FIA Touring Car Cup season will begin with the Race of Czech Republic on April 9-10.
