Hyundai Motor Company announced on Tuesday, October 8, that it will co-host the “Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival” with Toyota Motor Corporation. The event is scheduled for Sunday, October 27, at the Everland Speedway in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and aims to foster the development of motorsport culture in Korea.
A Historic Collaboration Between Hyundai N and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
This marks the first collaboration between Hyundai’s high-performance brand N and Toyota’s GAZOO Racing (GR), both active participants in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The festival is designed to showcase both companies’ high-performance models and racing cars, providing Korean customers with an opportunity to immerse themselves in motorsport culture.
Event Highlights
Track Day Experience
Hyundai and Toyota have organized a “Track Day” where customers can experience high-performance vehicles firsthand. Both Hyundai N and Toyota GR vehicles will share the track, offering a unique spectacle of competition and camaraderie.
Show Runs and Taxi Rides
Key programs include Show Runs featuring each company’s WRC rally cars demonstrating performances akin to real rally conditions. Additionally, attendees can participate in “Taxi Rides” to directly feel the thrill of these high-performance racing machines.
Hyundai N Showcase
Hyundai N will present:
• i20 N Rally 1 Hybrid: Active in the 2024 WRC season.
• i20 N Rally 2: Designed for Customer Racing.
• Mass-Produced High-Performance Models: Including the IONIQ 5 N and Avante N (known as Elantra N in some markets).
• IONIQ 5 N Drift Spec: Specialized for drifting, offering dynamic show runs.
Star Drivers in Attendance
Notable drivers participating include:
• Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo: From Hyundai Motorsport, currently leading the WRC drivers’ standings.
• Andreas Mikkelsen
• Norbert Michelisz: 2023 TCR World Tour champion.
• Mikel Azcona: 2022 champion.
These drivers will visit Korea to share their passion for motorsport with fans.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Showcase
Toyota GAZOO Racing will feature:
• GR Yaris Rally 1 Hybrid
• GR Yaris Rally 2
• GR Supra
• GR86
Toyota’s Star Drivers
Participating drivers include:
• Katsuta Takamoto: Active Toyota WRC driver.
• Jari-Matti Latvala: Team principal of Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team.
• Katsuta Norihiko: Takamoto’s father and nine-time Japan Rally Champion.
Special Appearances by Industry Leaders
At Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun and Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda, who races under the name “MORIZO”, will personally attend the event to share their passion for automobiles with attendees.
Exhibition Booths and Future Vision
Both companies will operate exhibition booths offering brand-specific merchandise and content, as well as showcase next-generation eco-friendly vehicles to convey their vision for the future.
Hyundai N Booth
Visitors can explore:
• N Vision 74: Combining the 1974 Pony Coupe design with advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology, indicating the future direction of high-performance vehicles.
• IONIQ 5 N Time Attack Spec: Set a new record in the production-based electric SUV modified category at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the U.S.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Booth
Showcasing:
• Liquid Hydrogen-Powered GR Corolla: Uses liquid hydrogen as fuel, part of Toyota’s “Multi-Pathway” strategy for diverse electrification options.
• AE86 H2 Concept: A hydrogen concept car based on the Sprinter Trueno (famous as “AE86” in the manga Initial D).
Additional Attractions
To make motorsport culture accessible to all generations, the event will include:
• Service Park: Featuring both companies’ racing cars and mass-produced models.
• Celebratory Performances: Providing entertainment for all attendees.
Event Details and Ticket Information
Date: Sunday, October 27
Location: Everland Speedway, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province
Ticket Purchase: Available from 10 a.m. on October 8.
Ticket Link: Interpark Tickets
Official Website: hn-tgr-festival.com
Executive Statements
Lee Young-ho, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Business Management at Hyundai Motor Company, stated:
“We are pleased to invite TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, our fierce competitors in the WRC, to Korea. This event is a celebration where competition and friendship coexist, aiming to promote motorsport culture to the public. Through our collaboration with Toyota, driven by pure passion for automobiles, we hope to expand the motorsport culture.”
Manabu Kon-yama, President of Toyota Motor Korea, commented:
“We are delighted that Hyundai N and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing have joined forces to create opportunities to enjoy diverse automobile cultures beyond motorsports. We will continue to make efforts to vitalize motorsport culture and expand its reach.”
Hyundai’s Commitment to Motorsport
Hyundai Motor Company has been supporting and organizing various competitions for over 20 years to develop domestic motorsport, including:
• Hyundai Click Speed Festival (2003–2010)
• Korea Speed Festival (2011–2018)
• Hyundai N Festival (2019–Present)
