Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) with Curb Agajanian and Hyundai Motor North America today announced a three-car assault on the 2021 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. This introduces Hyundai N Brand’s latest Touring Car Racing (TCR)-specification achievement, the Elantra N TCR model.
[ads id=”9″]
Hyundai’s growing performance N Brand now has three new Elantra models; the Elantra N Line, track-ready Elantra N (on sale fall of 2021) and the Elantra N TCR racecar. Customer racing teams can purchase an Elantra N TCR from BHA starting today.
Powered for performance by a new two-liter turbocharged I-4 engine derived from Hyundai’s all-new Elantra family of road-going models, the front wheel drive Elantra N TCR shares the same six-speed, paddle-shift operated gearbox as the proven Veloster N TCR and the i30 N TCR.
“The Elantra N TCR is the first performance variant of our compact sedan, and we have the track-ready Elantra N coming in 2021,” said Olabisi Boyle, vice president, Product Planning and Mobility Strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. “We delivered a compelling four-door offering that is fun and has style. The partnership with Bryan Herta Autosport continues, and we can’t wait to bring new fans to the Elantra and N brands.”
BHA’s three-car lineup will feature two Elantra N TCR entries and one Veloster N TCR, the car that provided championships to the team in 2019 and 2020. 2020 IMPC champion Ryan Norman returns to drive the #98 Elantra N TCR alongside Parker Chase. Coming off their second-place finish in the championship, which featured two victories in the 2020 IMPC, Harry Gottsacker once again joins 2019 champion, Mark Wilkins in the #33 Elantra N TCR. Additionally, BHA and Hyundai welcome Taylor Hagler; she joins the squad, teaming with 2019 co-champion Michael Lewis in the #77 Veloster N TCR car.
[ads id=”8″]
“2020 was a memorable and remarkable year for so many reasons, and we look forward to 2021. Hyundai has set the gold standard in TCR competition worldwide, and we are proud to continue representing them and their N Performance brand for another year of IMSA racing. The addition of the Elantra N TCR alongside the well-proven Veloster N TCR, with an incredible lineup of proven Sports Car championship drivers, gives us all the tools we need to keep Hyundai competing for wins at North America’s best natural terrain road courses,” said Bryan Herta.
BHA enters their third season of IMSA competition in 2021, coming off a banner season in 2020, where they won seven of the ten IMPC races. In addition to the team’s three-car stable, the BHA/Hyundai Customer Support program is set to expand with multiple Veloster N TCR cars. Set for his third season racing for Hyundai, Mason Filippi returns to the Hyundai squad of drivers, his driving assignment, along with additional Hyundai programs will be announced soon.
The 10-race 2021 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge kicks off with the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway, January 22-24 and is followed by the Rolex 24 at Daytona, January 27th – 31st. Follow our season at BryanHertaAutosport.com and on our social channels.
#98 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Veloster N TCR, TCR: Michael Lewis 
TCR: Taylor Hagler 
Ryan Norman #29 Bryan Herta Autosport w/ Curb Agajanian Hyundai Veloster N TCR, TCR: Parker Chase 
#21 Bryan Herta Autosport w/ Curb Agajanian Hyundai Veloster N TCR, TCR: Mark Wilkins 
#98 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Veloster N TCR, TCR: Harry Gottsacker
Harry Gottsacker, #33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR: “We are bringing the band back for another run at the championship with a new ride and new number. It means a lot to be able to help develop the new #33 Elantra N TCR with Mark Wilkins and the BHA crew. We have seen time and time again that consistency, people, and working together are key in this championship and keeping a lot of the same components as we move into 2021 is so important. I am also honored to race the #33 in memory of Reese Imhoff, who was one of the biggest fans of this team.”
Mark Wilkins, #33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR: “This season we introduce the all new Elantra N TCR. Hyundai’s commitment to motorsport and to N Performance models is incredibly exciting! Our success over the last three season’s speaks volumes to the incredible performance built into Hyundai’s TCR race cars. The introduction of three new N and four new N Line models will bring incredible performance and FUN to performance minded consumers! I personally, can’t wait for my first laps in the Elantra N TCR and first track day in the Elantra N! I’m elated to be sharing the car with Harry Gottsacker in 2021 and look forward to building on what we achieved together this past year! Harry had a breakout season in 2020 winning the most pole positions of anyone in the class and always putting the car in a position to WIN!”
Michael Lewis, #77 Hyundai Veloster N TCR: “The team is top notch and it has been the team to beat, while Hyundai has been the car to beat in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. I am grateful to race together with Taylor Hagler in the same car. We will co-drive together this year in the #77 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Veloster N TCR race car. Thank you to our fans for following our season and may everyone have a happy, safe, and healthy holiday season.”
Taylor Hagler, #77 Hyundai Veloster N TCR: “I am really looking forward to joining Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai in the #77 Veloster N TCR in 2021! It is a great opportunity to join a championship-winning organization for my second year in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. Michael Lewis and I will be looking to build on all of the success that BHA had this season and have fun doing it. The Hyundais are proven on and off the racetrack and the passion behind the N brand is something I am very honored to be a part of.”
Parker Chase, #98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR: “I am very happy to be joining Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai again for a full season in 2021. It’s exciting to debut the all new Elantra N TCR! Hyundai does a great job developing these race cars, it’s going to be fun learning a new car and showing what the Elantra N TCR car can do!”
Ryan Norman, #98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR: “I’m so excited to return with BHA and Hyundai for another season of TCR racing. We had such a good 2020 season winning the championship and coming back in 2021 as the defending champion with the new Elantra N TCR is going to be great. The team has become like a family to me and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together with the new Elantra racecar.”
Elantra N TCR Specifications
Dimensions
Length: 4710mm
Width: 1950mm
Wheelbase: 2750mm
Minimum Weight: 1265kg including the driver
Engine
Turbocharged 4-cylinder inline, transversally installed
Distribution: two overhead camshafts, 16 valves
Displacement: 1998cc
Max. output: 350hp @ 7000 rpm
Max. torque: 450Nm @ 3500 rpm
Transmission
Front-wheel-drive
Gearbox: 6-speed sequential with paddle shift
Clutch: Cerametallic twin-disc
Differential: multi-plate limited slip differential with external pre-load
Chassis
Front suspension: McPherson strut, coil springs, gas-filled dampers, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension: 4-arm multi-link axle, coil springs, gas-filled dampers, anti-roll bar
Steering: electrical power assisted rack and pinion
Brakes
Dual circuit hydraulic system
Front brakes: six-piston calipers, 380 mm steel ventilated discs
Rear brakes: two-piston calipers, 278 mm steel discs
Wheels
Braid 18″x10″ aerodynamic rims, specifically designed for Hyundai Motorsport
Fuel System
26.4 gallon fuel tank with endurance refueling capability
Interior
Sabelt race seats and 6-point, HANS compatible, harness
