Challenging weekend on the streets of Vila Real in northern Portugal

Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing completed a challenging weekend on the streets of Vila Real in northern Portugal with more Kumho FIA TCR World Tour points secured.

Marking the conclusion of the European season, drivers Mikel Azcona, Néstor Girolami and Norbert Michelisz were determined to deliver strong results – and performances – in their Hyundai Elantra N TCR run by long-term partner team BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse.

Arriving at the popular street circuit following wins in Spain and Italy, hopes were high for more success although the combination of Compensation Weight and unexpected issues counted against further silverware.

Carrying 40 kilograms of Compensation Weight, Michelisz came through from sixth on the grid to finish fifth in Race 1, a result Azcona was able to match in Race 2. Meanwhile, Girolami, whose Elantra N TCR was saddled with 30 kilograms of Compensation Weight, finished in the top 10 in both races, taking the chequered flag in Race 1 in eighth place before he rounded out the top 10 in the second encounter.

Michelisz’s capture of fifth in Race 1 followed the Hungarian withstanding pressure from rival Ma Qing Hua throughout the opening 14-lap contest.

Team-mate Mikel Azcona had started Race 1 ahead of Michelisz in fourth place, which became fifth when he dropped one position during the opening exchanges. The Spaniard was set to take the place only for a rear-left puncture to drop him to 12^th before he eventually finished in 11^th.

Lining up 14^th on the Race 1 grid due to a fuel system issue in Qualifying, Girolami battled through to finish eighth on a circuit where overtaking poses a significant challenge.

Following his Race 1 frustrations, Azcona banked his best finish of the season with fifth in Race 2. But while Girolami charged through from 14^th to 10^th, a damaged driveshaft, caused by one of the Vila Real’s high kerbs, left Michelisz in 13^th place at the finish following an unscheduled pitstop.

Portuguese driver Daniel Teixeira drove his privately-entered Hyundai Elantra N TCR to 10^th in Race 1 and 12^th in Race 2.

The Kumho FIA TCR World Tour sets sail to Australia next with The Bend Motorsport Park set to host the fifth event of the season from September 11-13 ahead of the deciding Asian leg of the series in South Korea, China and Macau.

Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Manager Benoît Nogier said:

“The saying goes you can’t win every time and that was certainly the case in Vila Real. Although we weren’t able to add to our victories in Spain and Italy, all three drivers scored more valuable points during a challenging weekend in Portugal and we are proud of what was achieved and of all the hard work. We enter the second half of the season with every reason to be positive for the Australian and Asian leg of the season. Rest assured no stone will be left unturned as we begin our preparations for the remaining four events of the year.”

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

• Azcona scored a season-best fifth place in Race 2 after strong display on the streets of Vila Real
• The performance made up for a frustrating Race 1, which was hampered by a puncture
• He will head into the second half of the year 10^th in the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour standings

Azcona said: “Our start in Race 1 was good, I tried to defend our position, unfortunately it was not strong enough and I lost the position. From this point I felt very comfortable with my Elantra N TCR, which was working super-good. Unfortunately I had an issue and had to pit. I was very happy with my P5 in Race 2 starting from P7.  It was very tough, the track conditions were difficult but we improved the car from Race 1 to Race 2 and I’m really happy about that. I tried to push some more in the first laps but, in the end, it was important to bring the car home.” 

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

• The Argentine racer didn’t let a technical issue in Qualifying knock him off his stride by claiming points finishes in both races
• He tackled the Vila Real weekend with 30 kilograms of Compensation Weight fitted to his Elantra N TCR
• After finishing in the top 10 twice in Vila Real, Girolami heads into the summer break in eighth place in the standings on 143 points

Girolami said: “It was a really difficult Race 1 but I stayed out of trouble and, at the end, it paid off. Our pace was very good, we did some set-up changes, which worked well. We kept pushing and P10 in Race 2 was more good points after a not ideal Qualifying due to the issue we had. For sure we were aiming higher this weekend and we’ll be working hard before Australia. We have three races there so we’ll push very hard to recover some of the points we lost in Portugal.”

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

• Michelisz carried 40 kilograms of Compensation Weight to fifth place in Race 1
• The Hungarian was on course for more points in Race 2 until a mechanical issue led to an unscheduled pitstop and 13^th place
• Ahead of the summer break the defending champion is sixth in the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour standings having banked 148 points

Michelisz said: “I finished P5 in the first race and I would say that was target achieved. It was really hot, there was a lot of stress on driver and car so that made it difficult to survive the distance. In these conditions the Compensation Weight of 40 kilograms was hurting a lot my performance. But, nevertheless, I’m happy with the points. I’m disappointed for Race 2 with the mechanical issue we had but that’s motorsport I guess. However, the team did a good job improving the car and these kind of things happen. The positive I take from Race 2 is I felt probably the most competitive I had over the race weekend. The car felt great in terms of balance. There’s still a long way to go until the end of the season, the first part not ideal but I feel strong for the rest.”