Hyundai is amplifying the buzz surrounding its high-performance Veloster N, now hitting dealerships, with the unveiling of the Veloster N TCR race car at the North American International Auto Show. This exciting debut signals Hyundai’s entry into the fiercely competitive 2019 International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) MICHELIN Pilot Challenge. The Veloster N TCR is poised to take on rivals like the Honda Civic Type R TCR, Volkswagen GTI TCR, and Audi RS3 LMS TCR on North America’s most prestigious racetracks.
Hyundai Motor America is boosting its successful customer motorsports program, managed by Bryan Herta Autosport, with the addition of the Veloster N TCR. Bryan Herta Autosport will field two Veloster N TCR cars, each boasting 350 horsepower, for the upcoming season. One car will be driven by seasoned Hyundai TCR drivers Michael Lewis and Mark Wilkins. The second car will see newcomers Mason Filippi, 20, and Harry Gottsacker, 18, behind the wheel.
Dean Evans, vice president of Marketing at Hyundai Motor America, stated, “The Veloster is an ideal match for the IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge as we expand our motorsports endeavors. The 2019 Veloster and Veloster N models are known for their playful and engaging driving experience. We are thrilled to partner with Bryan Herta and his team to introduce these models to racing enthusiasts across North America. Following our manufacturer’s championship win in 2018, we are eager to return to racing with our experienced veterans, talented young drivers, and this cutting-edge new car.”
Bryan Herta, president and CEO of Bryan Herta Autosport, commented, “Our success with the i30 N TCR last year motivated us to broaden Hyundai’s motorsports program and introduce the Veloster N TCR into a more challenging series featuring longer races and seasoned drivers. Transforming the Veloster’s lightweight, rigid structure into an endurance race car will strengthen the credibility of Hyundai’s growing N brand and enhance the Veloster’s halo effect across Hyundai’s diverse vehicle range. We are excited to get this new car onto the track and into competitive action.”
2019 IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge Season Schedule
The 2019 IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge season is a 10-race series held at various tracks throughout North America, commencing at Daytona International Speedway on January 25th.
The Veloster N TCR Race Car: Engineered for Performance
The Veloster N TCR shares its origins with the championship-winning i30 N TCR, both designed by the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Team. Manufactured at Hyundai Motorsport Headquarters in Alzenau, Germany, the Veloster N TCR shares approximately 85 percent of its core components with the i30 N TCR, including the powerful 350-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.
The Veloster N TCR is a key component of Hyundai’s global N brand expansion. It addresses the demand from Hyundai Motorsport customer teams in markets where the i30 N TCR was competing, but the i30 N road car was not available. By introducing the Veloster N TCR, Hyundai provides teams in regions where the Veloster N road car is sold with a more relevant platform for their target audiences.
Both the Veloster N TCR and i30 N TCR are fully certified for competition in all TCR-sanctioned series. Initial deliveries of the Veloster N TCR will prioritize customer teams located in markets where the Veloster N road car is available to purchase for the public.
Hyundai Veloster N TCR race car in action showcasing its aerodynamic design and racing pedigree.
Bryan Herta Autosport: U.S. Sales and Technical Support Hub
Bryan Herta Autosport is the official U.S. sales representative for Hyundai TCR customer race cars. The Veloster N TCR is available for order at a base price of €135,000* plus shipping, with deliveries to customers scheduled to begin in March 2019.
Furthermore, Bryan Herta Autosport will provide crucial technical support, spare parts, and components to teams racing Hyundai TCR models within the United States.
*Note: U.S. pricing is subject to exchange rate fluctuations. At current exchange rates, the Veloster N TCR is priced at approximately $155,000 plus shipping.
Hyundai’s Contingency Awards Program for Customer Teams
Entering its second year of North American competition, Hyundai Motor America is reinforcing its commitment by offering contingency awards programs for customer teams participating in the 2019 IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge and the 2019 Blancpain GT World Challenge. Participating teams can earn contingency payouts at each 2019 race, based on their IMSA or Blancpain GT World Challenge race results and program eligibility criteria.
The IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge program includes both the Veloster N TCR and i30 N TCR. The Blancpain GT World Challenge program covers the Hyundai i30 N TCR, Veloster N TCR, and the Veloster N in the TC class.
2019 Hyundai Contingency Program Payout Structure
| Payout Schedule | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCR Class | $7,500 | $5,000 | $2,500 | $1,500 | $1,000 |
| TC Class | $7,500 | $5,000 | $2,500 | $1,500 | $1,000 |
| Drivers’ Championship | $10,000 | $7,500 | $5,000 |
Hyundai Veloster N TCR: Technical Specifications
Engine
- Type: Hyundai Motorsport 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged
- Max Power: 350 hp @ 7000 rpm
- Max Torque: 332 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm
- Electronics: Life Racing ECU and power management system
Transmission
- Type: Front-wheel drive
- Gearbox: Six-speed sequential gearbox with pneumatic paddle-shift
- Differential: Mechanical with external pre-load adjuster
- Clutch: AP Racing Cerametallic twin-disc
Cockpit
- Seats: Sabelt competition seats
- Belts: Sabelt six-point HANS compatible
- Instrumentation: Life Racing compact configurable driver’s display
Chassis
- Front suspension: MacPherson struts with adjustable dampers
- Rear suspension: Four-arm multi-link with adjustable dampers
- Steering: Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion
- Front Brakes: 380mm ventilated brake discs with Hyundai Motorsport-branded six-piston Brembo calipers
- Rear Brakes: 278mm brake discs with two-piston calipers
- Handbrake: Hydraulic control
- Wheels: 10×18 inch aerodynamic Braid rims, designed for Hyundai Motorsport
Bodywork
- Structure: Hyundai Motorsport designed lightweight high-tensile steel roll cage
- Bodywork: Steel and composite fiber panels
- Length: 4,450mm
- Wheelbase: 2,650mm
- Width: 1,950mm
- Track Width: 1,610mm
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 100 liters
- Weight: 1,285kg minimum (including driver)*
Price
- €135,000 (approximately $155,000 in U.S. per current exchange rates)
*mandated by TCR regulations
About IMSA
The International Motor Sports Association, LLC (IMSA), founded in 1969, boasts a rich history in sports car racing. IMSA is the sanctioning body for premier series like the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, and IMSA Prototype Challenge, along with several single-make series. IMSA is partnered strategically with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), organizers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, enabling IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors to earn entries into this iconic race. For more details, visit www.IMSA.com.
About Bryan Herta Autosport
Founded in 2009 by Bryan Herta, Bryan Herta Autosport has evolved from a single-car Indy Lights team into a globally recognized racing franchise. They entered IndyCar in 2010 and famously won the Indianapolis 500 in 2011 and again in 2016 in partnership with Andretti Autosport, with rookie driver Alexander Rossi. Bryan Herta Autosport also debuted in the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship in 2015.
About Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America prioritizes customer experience, design innovation, engineering excellence, and exceptional value across its vehicle lineup. Hyundai’s diverse range of cars, SUVs, and alternative fuel vehicles are supported by Hyundai Assurance for customer peace of mind. With over 830 dealerships nationwide, Hyundai emphasizes U.S. manufacturing. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company.
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