BRC Racing Team aiming high for 2019 Race of Morocco
BRC Racing Team is aiming to get its second season in the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup off to a strong start as the team travels to the opening round, the Race of Morocco, in Marrakech this week.
With four drivers, two teams and the proven performance of the Hyundai i30 N TCR, BRC Racing Team is looking to build on a competitive debut season, in which the titles went down to the wire.
Competing for the BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse team will be the inaugural WTCR champion, Gabriele Tarquini, with Norbert Michelisz returning as his team-mate. The BRC Hyundai N LUKOIL Racing Team will comprise two rookies to the series – but nonetheless exciting talents in the world of motorsport – with Augusto Farfus and Nicky Catsburg.
The 2.971km Circuit Moulay El Hassan race track will play host to the opening round of the second FIA WTCR season, which will visit 10 countries in 3 continents around the world.
Track action at the Race of Morocco begins on Saturday 6 April with two free practice sessions and the first of two qualifying sessions, which determines the grid positions for Race 1. The second qualifying session on Sunday 7 April decides the order for Race 3, with the top ten from the session reversed to form Race 2’s starting positions. Each race will have differing lap distances: 18 for Races 1 and 2, 21 for Race 3.
Reigning champion Tarquini quickly established the pace of the i30 N TCR last time out in Morocco. The Italian took two of the three race wins on offer from the weekend as well as the honours of the TAG Heuer Best Lap Trophy and the TAG Heuer Most Valuable Driver.
Following a successful pre-season test in Barcelona, the team is motivated for what promises to be another thrilling season of WTCR.
BRC Racing Team Team Principal Gabriele Rizzo said: “We’re looking forward the first event of the 2019 WTCR season. Morocco is a great challenge for the drivers who have to negotiate the tight, wall-lined turns – any mistakes will be punished accordingly, such is the unforgiving nature of the circuit. Consistency at every round will be the key to success once again in the championship battles this year. Our driver line-up brings experience, consistency, and speed, all of which will be crucial to our bid for the titles this year. We by no means underestimate the task ahead of us: our competitors have also been hard at work over the winter to improve. We’ll try to push each other all season long and give the fans some great on-track battles.”
BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse driver Gabriele Tarquini said: “Morocco was happy hunting ground for us last year, and I’m hoping to repeat our performance from 2018. It’s a great track to start the season: it requires concentration and precision from us drivers. I’m confident this season will be as competitive as last year as we look to defend the drivers’ title: the line-up on the grid is impressive. I can’t wait to get back into my Hyundai i30 N TCR!”
Team mate Norbert Michelisz said: “I enjoy racing in Morocco and the challenge of the Circuit Moulay El Hassan. The whole team has been working hard over the winter break to ensure we continue our momentum from last year. We have some new faces on the grid this year and the level of competition promises to be very high.”
BRC Hyundai N LUKOIL Racing Team driver Augusto Farfus said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge of my first FIA WTCR race weekend. It was an exciting series to watch last year, and it was clear the Hyundai i30 N TCR was one of the best packages on the grid. Now I’ve had the chance to test it, I’m ready to hit the track and show it’s still at the top of the class.”
Team mate Nicky Catsburg said; “This is my first experience of TCR racing – before my first test, I had never driven a TCR-specification car. It is different to anything I’ve raced before, but I was able to quickly find a rhythm. I think my driving style will suit FIA WTCR – so I can’t wait for my first taste of competitive action in Morocco.”
Race of Morocco overview
Race 1: Saturday 6 April 16:50 – 17:20 CET (18 Laps)
Race 2: Sunday 7 April 16:45 – 17:15 CET (18 Laps)
Race 3: Sunday 7 April 18:15 – 18:45 CET (21 Laps)