Productive Misano test for Hyundai despite overnight engine glitch

The new Hyundai i30 N TCR tested for two days at Misano, completing 369 laps of the Italian track before a minor engine issue put the test to a slightly premature end. The problem arose during the last stint of night time running, meaning the team’s test was only slightly curtailed.

Assisted by BRC Racing in their operations at the weekend, Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing had already tested most of the solutions they were planning to run, the programme only lacking another morning stint. The test was mainly focussing on brakes and dampers, although the team did explore some set-up changes, particularly during the night.

The endurance kit, which includes extra front lights, ABS and fueling system, was also tested during the night time running, both on Friday and on Saturday. An issue with the mounting of the extra lights was quickly fixed, as test driver Gabriele Tarquini lamented a lack of visibility.

When the engine failed, it had exceeded the mileage Hyundai expect to recommend before an engine rebuild. It was the same unit which was fitted to the car when testing began in April, and had not been rebuilt since. The car had completed more than 1,500 km just at Misano.

The car led during the first stage of the race, and Tarquini also set the best lap time, over half a second faster than the Red Camel SEAT León TCR of Rik Breukers, which he set right at the start of the race.

Tarquini is satisfied with the new creature, although there is more running to be done before the car can be fully ready to the standard the team want to have before delivering the i30 N TCR to their customers.

“We are definitely heading in the right direction,” said the Italian to TouringCarTimes. “We are making progress and I can feel it every time I jump into the car. The level of professionalism at Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing is very high, and the same goes for the BRC Racing crew. They are all keen to delivering the best possible product to their customers, and as a driver it feels good to be part of the project.”

Comparing the Hyundai i30 N TCR to his previous WTCC experience, Tarquini believes there is not a huge difference.

“The car is very fun to drive,” said the touring car veteran. “It obviously has less downforce compared to a TC1 car, but the feeling you have when you drive is good. It does feel like a touring car and it is a pleasure to drive.”

Antti Buri was also part of the line-up for the Misano 24H, and his first contact with the car left him satisfied and hopeful to have more chances to get in the i30 N TCR. The TCR Germany regular added his previous experience in TCR machinery to the programme.

“It feels good to drive this car,” said the Finn to TouringCarTimes. “It certainly feels like a TCR car, which proves the team did an amazing job so far. We will see if I can get to doing more running with the car, it certainly was a great opportunity to be part of this during the weekend.”

Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing manager Andrea Adamo is overseeing the project for the Korean manufacturer. He is also in charge of deciding the final spec of the car, based on the feedback given by the drivers and the engineers.

“What we are doing is making comparisons between different solutions,” said Adamo to TouringCarTimes. “I will decide the configuration in which the car will be delivered to the customers, of course relying on the feedback given by the engineers and the drivers.”

Although Adamo already has an idea of the selling price of the car, it is yet to be finalised and made public. Nevertheless, the Italian is aware that the cost of the car and the customer service that comes with it will determine the success of the i30 N TCR project.

“TCR is a category where free market rules. The laws of free market are based on price, competitiveness and customer service. There is no dominant car due to the Balance of Performance, which works well as we have seen so far. If you have a very expensive car with no assistance nobody will buy it, but the same goes if the car is not competitive enough, even if you sell it at a low price, which we have seen before in the championship. The target is to have a reasonable price, with a competitive car and a customer service that allows us to be credible for future customers as well.”

Despite being in favour of the Balance of Performance measures, Adamo clearly said he will not rely on it for his car to be competitive.

“Of course we trust in the BoP, otherwise the TCR concept would have no credibility. On the other hand I obviously want to put the car on the market only once it is competitive. I don’t want to sell a car that is two seconds slower than its competitors and rely on the BoP to allow it to win races.”

As for the TCR International Series debut of the car, Adamo has not decided if the car will make its first appearance this year, although he did not rule out the possibility. Test driver Gabriele Tarquini is more willing to get back on track as soon as possible.

“I like the challenge of developing a new car, but I am a racer,” admitted the former World Touring Car champion. “It is not my decision, but I have to say I do miss competition. If you ask me, I would love to race even tomorrow, but I trust in the decisions of the team and ultimately it’s up to them.”

Delivery to customers is expected to begin in December, 2017.