Igor Stefanovski has confirmed that he will race a Hyundai i30 N TCR in the TCR Europe series in 2018, making him the second Macedonian racer on the grid after Viktor Davidovski had confirmed his participation earlier in the year.
Stefanovski, 35, has previously competed in European rallying and hill climbing, before switching to the now-defunct European Touring Car Cup in 2016. Last year he finished fourth overall in the ETCC at the wheel of a SEAT León TCR, claiming two wins.
“This was the most difficult winter for me and my team,” said Stefanovski. “We had a lot of work to do to prepare for this project and ran in so many obstacles along the way that at times it seemed impossible to finish in time.
“I have a lot of gratitude to Mr. Dane Kuzmanovski but also to Hyundai Motorsport and my team. As last year we continue in the same line up, with Miroslav Rastovic running the team as team manager and my chief engineer.
“There were options to go with another team, but it did not work out for me, I am confident in my team and thankful for their loyalty to stay with me during all the hard times I had past couple of months.
“Together with Miroslav, we got a chance to test the i30 last year thanks to great Customer service in Hyundai and after we saw the potential this car has and patience that Hyundai Motorsport had with us, we just had to find a way to make this switch.
“We actually finished the deal with Hyundai last week, together with them we are working hectically against the clock to have the car ready for the first event in France. There will be no chance to make a test, so we will have to get familiar with our new equipment on the first race.
“This season we do not have any imperatives results wise, but my wish is to be up there with the best.”
Team Manager Miroslav Rastovic, was thankful to Hyundai Motorsport, even though the late announcement of the plan means there is no opportunity for testing ahead of the start of the season at Circuit Paul Ricard on the 5 – 6 May.
“When Hyundai Motorsport got the project going with i30 and regarding the people involved, my wish was to see Igor in that car,” said Rastovic. “I have huge respect for Mr. Andrea Adamo and Mr. Gabriele Tarquini, whose combined development of the race car guarantees results.
“We are very thankful for their patience, especially Mrs. Veronica Boni who is always available in any time of day and night to help us finish the deal.
“We are expecting to have the car in my workshop in Croatia from where we are heading straight to Paul Ricard Circuit, so everybody except me will see the car in France…”