BRC Racing Team adds third Hyundai Elantra N TCR in support of FIA WTCR title pushes
BRC Racing Team will run three Hyundai Elantra N TCR cars for the final two rounds of the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with Nicky Catsburg making his return to the team and series. The Dutchman will join the grid, entered under the BRC Hyundai N Racing Team banner.
After excellent results on European circuits, BRC Racing Team is currently at the head of both the teams’ and drivers’ standings. In his debut season with the Elantra N TCR, Spaniard Mikel Azcona leads the series by 35 points after an incredibly successful campaign so far. Among the highlights have been three victories – each on different weekends – and a total of nine podiums. His BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse team-mate Norbert Michelisz currently sits eighth in the standings. The pair have combined to put the Hyundai Motorsport customer squad 37 points clear in the teams’ competition, despite being outnumbered by rival manufacturers on track.
Although the team holds a healthy advantage in both title chases it still expects strong challenges from rivals over the remaining two race weekends at the Bahrain International Circuit and Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The addition of a third car to the line-up will support the push for both crowns through the final portion of the year.
For Catsburg, the two events will be a return to the WTCR paddock. He made his series debut in a Hyundai i30 N TCR – also run by BRC Racing Team – in 2019, and competed in the same model for two race weekends in 2020, when he scored victory in Race 3 of the Race of Slovakia meeting.
2022 has seen the Dutchman competing for the Hyundai Motorsport N team in FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup. Although he only joined the team at mid-season due to clashing commitments, he has impressed with his pace in the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR, taking four race victories, including a Semi-Final win on his debut appearance at Race SP at Jarama.
The two weekends in the Middle East will be his first experience of the Hyundai Elantra N TCR and his first competitive visit to either circuit, something that will be true for most of the drivers in the field. However, it is hoped that Catsburg’s excellent versatility – having forged a wide-ranging and highly successful career in both GT and Touring Car racing around the world – will mean he is in a strong position to support his fellow Hyundai drivers in the races.
Team Principal of BRC Racing Team Gabriele Rizzo said: “Adding a third Hyundai Elantra N TCR to our line-up is important for us as we aim to finish the FIA WTCR season with strong results in every remaining session. Mikel and Norbi have done a fantastic job all year against larger teams, and we expect the opposition to be even stronger in the final rounds. I am looking forward to welcoming Nicky back to the team to help support us for these races. He has shown in the past that he is very competitive in the series, and incredibly quick to adapt to new challenges. In his first races with a new car, and on new tracks, this will be critical not only for him but to help the rest of the team during the race weekends in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The additional data from him will be important in making sure all three BRC Racing Team drivers are at the front of the grid and can finish the 2022 season as strongly as possible.”
Nicky Catsburg said: “I’m really looking forward to being back in FIA WTCR, and with BRC Hyundai N Racing Team. I know the series and the team from previous years and I’ve enjoyed racing and working with them. I’m very proud to be the driver called upon to come in for the crucial part of the season to support both Mikel and the team in their battle for the titles. In Bahrain and Saudi Arabia we are going to two very nice circuits, which will be new to almost everyone on the grid. The Hyundai Elantra N TCR is a brand new car to me, but I am confident that I can be on the pace quickly. Hopefully, I can get some strong results for myself, and to help the team end the season on a high.”