Hyundai Motor Company won the opening round of the global top-tier touring car competition, the '2024 TCR World Tour.'
Hyundai announced on the 22nd that the Elantra N TCR (domestic name: Avante N TCR) secured victory at the opening round of the '2024 TCR World Tour,' held from the 19th to the 21st (local time) at the Vallelunga Circuit in Campagnano, Italy.
Norbert Michelisz, driving the Elantra N TCR race car, crossed the finish line first in the first final race held on the 20th, claiming the win.
Michelisz earned 30 points for winning the first final race, 15 points from qualifying, and finished 6th (16 points) in the second final race held on the 21st. With a total of 61 points, he rose to first place in the 2024 season driver standings.
Norbert Michellies is celebrating his victory on the podium at the 2024 TCR World Tour Italy race. [Photo by Hyundai]
The TCR World Tour is a 'Customer Racing' competition where manufacturers are prohibited from direct participation, and professional racing teams that purchase manufacturer race cars compete. The rankings are determined based on results from regional TCR competitions held worldwide in a touring format.
The TCR series includes about 40 competitions globally, including continental and national events. Up to 650 drivers participate in each TCR series competition. Among them, the top global competition, the TCR World Tour, will hold races in Morocco, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, China, and Macau following the 2024 season opener in Italy.
Til Vattenberg, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor Company’s N Brand & Motorsports Division, said, "The TCR World Tour is a competition where we can demonstrate the know-how of high-performance vehicles we have built so far. Following the 2023 season, we will do our best to achieve good results in the second season by working closely with the drivers."
The second round of the TCR World Tour is scheduled to be held from May 3 to 5 at the 'International Automobile Moulay El Hassan Circuit' in Morocco.
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