One of the main features of the TCR International Series event in Zhejiang will be the maiden appearance of the new Hyundai i30 N TCR; this will mark the latest step in the technical development of the Hyundai Motorsport-built car that has already undergone an extensive testing programme.
The two i30 N TCR cars will be run by the Italy-based BRC Racing Team and driven by two very experienced Touring Car aces - the former World, European and British champion Gabriele Tarquini and Alain Menu, twice British champion.
Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Manager Andrea Adamo said: “The debut of the i30 N TCR in the TCR International Series is an important weekend for everyone involved in the project. We feel we have developed a competitive package for the category, but this will be the first time that we can directly compare to other cars in the series. Both the i30 N TCR drivers will be ineligible for points. It is not our intention to get involved in the very close fight at the top of the points’ standings. Instead, at the Zhejiang Circuit we will concentrate on continuing our development work during the race weekend.”
Tarquini commented: “The Zhejiang Circuit is very different from the tracks in Europe where we have tested. It is a relatively slow layout with lots of technical sections, so we will need to work on the set-up. This is all part of our development work with the car, but also an opportunity to show the competitiveness of our design. These are our targets for the weekend. I expect a small gap to the regular teams and the fact that this is the first time the TCR International Series runs at Zhejiang should keep the action close.”
Alain Menu added: “From the testing I have completed, the i30 N TCR feels to be very strong. The TCR International Series is very competitive, so the weekend at the Zhejiang Circuit will be a real challenge. As a driver the event will be a very good chance to show the performance of our car against the others on the grid. However, we have to consider that our focus during the weekend is to take advantage of the track time to continue to develop the i30 N TCR before the first chassis are delivered to customers.”
The Hyundai cars will run with a temporary homologation form and, therefore, will not be eligible to score points.