KyraSage
To round out the week, Hyundai has announced their 2023 US racing program. Highlighted by a return to the popular IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, they are back once again with reigning IMPC champions Bryan Herta Autosport and with Deily Motorsports in pursuit of a fourth consecutive manufacturers championship title. They will also be competing in the TC America Series Powered by Skip Barber Racing School championship in the SRO Motorsports America series.
Behind the wheel of the No. 1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR for Bryan Herta Autosport will be the returning back to back series champions, Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis. And you can believe that the history making duo have their sights set on a third straight championship.
President of Bryan Herta Autosport, Bryan Herta, had to this say about the upcoming season, “We are all excited for the start of the 2023 Michelin Pilot Challenge season in Daytona, for this season we have familiar faces behind the wheel, but the driving combinations will look a little different. We continue to evolve and push our program as the level of competition from Honda, Audi and Alfa Romeo grows each season. I can’t wait to see how our new driver pairings and the proven Elantra N TCR car stack up against this season’s competition.”
In the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR for BHA will be Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker, which is a new pairing for the 2023 season. Harry joined BHA in 2019 and since then has finished in the top five every championship season. Robert, to the happiness of the racing world, made his motorsports comeback with BHA in 2022 after an IndyCar accident altered his life and career in 2018. His 2022 season included winning back to back races and tallying an additional podium. The No. 33 is unlike any other Hyundai Elantra N TCR on the grid. It has has been custom fitted with a hand controls system developed by BHA that allows Robert to operate the Elantra through the steering wheel. Once Harry gets in the car though, the car controls switch back to the foot pedals.
Behind the wheel of the No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR is the third BHA pairing for 2023, Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins. Mason, who was a two time polesitter in 2022, is returning to BHA with a championship on his mind, much like Mark who earned two IMPC victories in 2022.
Completing the strong Elantra lineup on the IMPC grid for 2023 is Deily Motorsports. Jacob Deily and Tyler Maxson, a two time polesitter in 2022, will pilot the No. 70 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, while Cabot Bigham and Matt Jaskol will wheel the No. 76 Hyundai Elantra N TCR. The Deily Motorsports entries will contest the full IMPC schedule.
We will see two Hyundai Motor North America entries in the TC America Series Powered by Skip Barber Racing School championship with the SRO America series. They are fielding an all new platform with the Elantra N TC, debuting in Sonoma with Ricca Autosport. In the No. 78 LIQUI MOLY GenRacer Hyundai Elantra N TC will be Jeff Ricca and wheeling the No. 780 Borla Exhaust LIQUI MOLY Hyundai Veloster N TC is Sally McNulty. Jeff is looking to continue the momentum from his third place finish in the 2022 TC America championship, while Sally will be making her debut in the TC class.
The 2023 IMPC season kicks off with the Roar Before the Rolex 24, January 20th – 22th at Daytona International Speedway, followed by the first round of the schedule with the BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona on Friday, January 27th.
TC America will be kicking off their 2023 season at Sonoma Raceway on March 30th.
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