BRC Racing Team score double podium at Kumho TCR World Tour in Sydney
BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse secured two podium finishes at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend (3-4 November), the scene of the seventh round of the Kumho TCR World Tour, where Mikel Azcona finished third in Race 1 and Norbert Michelisz second in Race 3.
With the track unknown to the drivers, getting up to speed was crucial in the two free practice sessions on Friday. However, these preparations were scuppered when rain arrived at the start of qualifying. Both BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse drivers were able to bank a lap in Q1 and progress comfortably into Q2, where the track had become increasingly greasy. Azcona qualified third and Michelisz eighth.
Race 1 on Friday marked the first night race for the series, and the weather conditions from qualifying continued. Following a good start, Azcona moved up to second, whereas team-mate Michelisz was entangled in the mid pack and dropped to 20th. After moving back through the field to 15th, the Hungarian’s progress was halted after the safety car was called.
Chaos ensued at the restart as heavy rain began to fall resulting in a red flag stoppage. Six laps of racing remained after the brief interval and Michelisz was on a charge to regain positions and valuable points. He ultimately crossed the line in eighth. Team-mate Azcona retained his second place on the restart and brought home his sixth podium finish of the year. However, a five-second time penalty was applied after the race which demoted him to third position.
Saturday’s Race 2 followed a similar story, where a chaotic first lap saw both Michelisz and Azcona, starting from third and eighth respectively, in battles for position. A pit stop at the end of the first lap for Azcona after contact meant he rejoined the race a lap down, with team-mate Michelisz fighting at the top end of the field. The remaining laps were littered with close racing which resulted in Michelisz dropping from second to fifth. A penalty for a competitor ahead at the end of the race elevated the Hungarian to fourth, with Azcona recovering to 19th.
A second night race rounded out the weekend, with Michelisz lined up in fourth and Azcona in seventh. Both drivers had a good start, each gaining a position in the opening corners and the Spaniard gaining a further two places to fourth. An issue with his Hyundai Elantra N TCR later in the race, probably due to first laps contacts, caused him to lose pace to the cars in front, resulting in a drop to sixth. Here he put on an impressive defense to the car behind until the end of the race where he crossed the line in sixth.
Michelisz had a quieter Race 3, maintaining his third position, knowing the car ahead would be receiving a penalty for a jump start. The Hungarian took the chequered flag in third, but was elevated to second position, taking his fifth podium of the season.
After scoring solid points across the weekend, Michelisz retains his lead in the Drivers’ standings, with the gap to the competitor behind just a single point heading into the penultimate round of the season. Azcona retains fourth and BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse continues to occupy the second spot in the Kumho TCR World Tour for Teams.
Team Principal of BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse Gabriele Rizzo said: " It was a difficult weekend. The circuit proved to be exciting from a technical point of view and the changeable weather further raised the challenge. In these conditions we once again provided a solid performance, picking up many points with both Norbi and Mikel. Unfortunately, as in previous events, we were the victims of guilty actions by other drivers which influenced the final result which could have been even better. Having taken note of the penalties inflicted, unfortunately of little importance, it is clear that we will have to reconsider our driving standards to be able to remain at the top of the rankings and compete for the final victory. Let me thank the team that worked well facing the challenge of specific race format and regulations. We are fascinated by the next round at Bathurst and I am convinced we will be able to show the competitiveness of our technical package even on such a particular and totally new circuit for us.”
Norbert Michelisz said: “I’ve had a good weekend here in Sydney, finishing second in the final race. It was a tough one and I gave it my all to get on the podium. I’ve scored a lot of important points for the standings this round and I am still leading into the penultimate weekend which was my target before the event so very happy about that. Thanks to the team, I had a great package in the Hyundai Elantra N TCR which allowed me to get involved in the battles. This wouldn’t be possible without an amazing car.”
Mikel Azcona said: “It’s been a mixed weekend for me in Sydney. On Friday I was happy as I was able to recover quite a few points in the standings. I felt very good with the Hyundai Elantra N TCR, and I really needed that podium finish in Race 1 to jump a few positions. Saturday was the opposite though; I was struggling much more, and I really had to battle hard – but that’s racing. It’s been great racing alongside TCR Australia, the drivers are very competitive, and I enjoyed the fight. I’m going to take the positives away with me to Bathurst next weekend as we need to be strong there and have the confidence.”
2023 Kumho TCR World Tour for Drivers’ Standings
After round 7
1. Norbert Michelisz 327
2. Rob Huff 326
3. Yann Ehrlacher 306
4. Mikel Azcona 289
5. Frédéric Vervisch 257
6. Nestor Girolami 240
7. Ma Qing Hua 218
8. Thed Björk 217
9. Santiago Urrutia 194
10. Will Brown 92
11. Tom Coronel 76
12. Kobe Pauwels 74
13. John Filippi 70
14. Josh Buchan 36
15. Bailey Sweeny 30
2023 Kumho TCR World Tour for Teams’ Standings
After round 7
1. Cyan Racing Lynk & Co 727
2. BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse 626
3. Audi Sport Team Comtoyou 610
4. ALM Motorsport 182
5. Comtoyou Racing 148
6. Melbourne Performance Centre 92
7. Comtoyou 91
8. Squadra Martino Racing 72
9. HMO Customer Racing 68
10. Garry Rogers Motorsport 53