BRC Racing Team looks to bounce back at Race of Czech Republic
BRC Racing Team is targeting a strong weekend with the Hyundai Elantra N TCR as it travels to Race of Czech Republic, round five of the 2021 WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup season.
BRC Hyundai N LUKOIL Squadra Corse heads to Autodrom Most on a mission to return to winning ways following a disappointing weekend last time out at Race of Hungary. After claiming the team’s first victory of the year at the third round at MotorLand Aragón, neither Gabriele Tarquini nor his team-mate Norbert Michelisz were able to challenge for the top three positions at the Hungaroring. Getting back onto the podium is therefore the aim at Race of Czech Republic.
Sitting sixth in the teams’ standings at the midway point of the season, BRC Racing Team is aiming for improved performance in the second half of the year and to mount a challenge to the current top five teams in the championship. For Tarquini and Michelisz, who are 13th and 14th in the drivers’ standings respectively, the goal for the remainder of the season is to get the best out of the Hyundai Elantra N TCR and score as many points as possible in the final four races.
Race of Czech Republic will be the nation’s debut on the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup calendar, an exciting moment for a country with a strong passion for motorsport. Situated roughly 70km north of the capital city of Prague, Autodrom Most measures 4.212km in length and boasts 21 challenging turns. A new circuit for the majority of the drivers in the field, getting up to speed quickly will be the key to success.
The itinerary for Race of Czech Republic begins with two practice sessions followed by qualifying on Friday 8 October. Sunday 10 October then features a 13-lap Race 1 and a 15-lap Race 2.
Team Principal of BRC Hyundai N LUKOIL Squadra Corse Gabriele Rizzo said: “Our target for the second half of the season is to regain ground in the standings by fighting for the top positions in the remaining races. The four new circuits will present an additional challenge, as we will need to get up to speed quickly to ensure we really maximise every weekend. We have seen that the Hyundai Elantra N TCR is capable of battling at the front of the field, with both Gabriele and Norbert taking podium finishes at previous rounds. We have to focus session by session on doing our best and then we will see at the end of the season where we will be placed in standings. Everything can still happen, we are the masters of our destiny.”
Gabriele Tarquini said: “Autodrom Most is a completely new track for me – even though I have a lot of experience, I have never been there before! It is a very unusual situation for and now I have two back-to-back races at new tracks. I have studied some videos of Most to prepare but the first 45 minute free practice session will be very important - not just for me, but for most of the drivers as well. It will be more exciting because of this and I hope there will be some great races for us and the fans.”
Norbert?Michelisz?said: “The Race of Czech Republic will be an all-new challenge for me, as I have never competed at Autodrom Most before. It will be critical to learn the track quickly and getting as much time on the circuit during free practice will play a huge role in this. We didn’t unleash our full potential in Hungary, and I am keen to put that right. With four more events to go, we have plenty of opportunities in the rest of the season to move up the points standings – but we need to be fighting for the top positions and challenging for victories.”