A bit of racing news out of Chicago today – Hyundai announced a partnership to compete in the Pirelli World Challenge. From March 23, the company’s partnering with Bryan Herta Autosport to create a factory sponsored race team. They’re taking this – their i30 N Touring Car Racing – to six dual-racing weekends starting in Austin, Texas.
Pirelli World Challenge
The Pirelli World Challenge is a purely North American racing series that consists of seven driver classifications. There are also several vehicle classes, including the TCR (Touring Car Racing) class the i30 N competes in. The cars all range around 300 horsepower and are permitted in any configuration. To that end, front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive cars can compete. Interestingly, forced induction can only be used on cars that have forced induction systems available from the factory.
Hyundai i30 N TCR: The specs
This little Hyundai is a pocket rocket. Sporting a transverse mounted, 2.0-liter engine, the i30 N TCR chucks out 350 horsepower. It sends all that power through a six-speed sequential gearbox by way of a multi-disc clutch and motorsport-specification driveshafts.
To bring the car to a big halt, the i30 N TCR uses bespoke, 6-piston Brembo front brakes with dual-piston rear calipers. Hyundai’s touring car also uses a 100-liter fuel tank for endurance capability.
The i30 N won’t be sticking around on the track long, as it only weighs 2,827 pounds, including the drive.
The race series
The Pirelli World Challenge kicks off at the Circuit of the Americans in Austin, Texas March 23-25. From there, it moves on to Virginia International Raceway at the end of April. Near the end of May, the cars will hit the track at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut.
Mid-summer, the i30 N TCR will compete at the Portland International Raceway in Oregon July 13-15. From there, the last two events take place in August and early September. The second to last race will take place at the Utah Motorsports Campus in Tooele, Utah. Finally, the series will wrap up at Watkins Glen International Raceway, where Hyundai and Bryan Herta Autosport hope to conquer the series.
Check out Hyundai’s news conference above, and stay tuned for more updates from the Chicago Auto Show! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow to catch new videos and live features of your favorite new models.
