The Hyundai i30 N TCR posted a new lap record for TCR-spec cars in last weekend’s Nürburgring 24-Hours qualifying race on the Nordschleife, as the two cars entered finished second and third in class.
Two i30s were taking part in the event, run by Target Competition, to pitch the car and its endurance racing options package up against the notorious Nordschleife.
In the end the #831 car of Nicola Larini, Manuel Lauck, Andreas Gülden and Peter Terting finished second in class, behind the leading #172 Audi, with Gülden posting a best lap of 9 minutes 3.206 seconds to set a new TCR class record. Minor mechnanical problems prevented the car from challenging for the class win.
The #830 car of Moritz Oestreich, Jae-Kyun Kim, Byung Hui Kang and Guido Naumann finished third in class, a further lap behind.
Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Deputy General Manager Andrea Adamo was pleased to see the cars showing encouraging outright pace, including challenging the higher-spec GT4 entries at times.
“Of course the performance of the i30 N TCR this weekend was very encouraging, and another show of the potential of the cars after other strong results in the last few weeks,” said Adamo. “To claim the fastest ever front-wheel-drive lap on the track, let alone the best times for a TCR car shows what an impressive chassis and engine the i30 N TCR has.
“Unfortunately, we were not able to claim the overall result to match the speed that we showed all weekend. However, we now have to work on the minor issues from the weekend, so not only can we truly show the performance of the i30 N TCR during the 24 Hours, but we can continue to support our customers competing elsewhere.”