Hyundai Motorsport say they achieved their ‘key targets’ on the first public outing for the new Hyundai i30 TCR car, which took part in the 24-hour Misano endurance race of the Touring Car Endurance Series.
Lead development driver Gabriele Tarquini and TCR Germany regular Antti Buri shared the driving duties during the race, with the entry being run in conjunction with development partner team BRC.
With a focus on completing longer runs to assess brake and tyre wear under different conditions, Hyundai opted to split the race into segments for testing out different scenarios before stopping their running in the race early once they had met their objectives.
The race also offered the rare chance to test during night-time running, allowing an assessment of the car’s lighting configurations, whilst the endurance race aspect allowed the endurance refueling system to be evaluated.
Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing manager Andrea Adamo was pleased with how the test went, thanking event organisers Creventic and series sponsor Hankook for the invitation to take part.
“This was a great opportunity for us to test the i30 N TCR in a variety of conditions, and we are very thankful for the invitation for the weekend,” said Adamo.
“As we planned we were able to work through a number of different set-up configurations to assess the impact on tyre and brake wear, as well as prove the design for the quick refueling system and the additional lights necessary for endurance racing.
“The same engine has been in the car since the first test, so it has done more kilometres than was ever expected of it, and with our key targets for the weekend already achieved we opted to preserve it, so that we can be fully prepared our next running later this week.”
The next public appearance of the i30 TCR is scheduled to be at the Nürburgring round of the ADAC TCR Germany series between August 4 – 6.
