M1RA announce switch to Hyundai i30 N TCR for 2018 season

2017 TCR International Series teams’ champions M1RA will follow the move made by team principal Norbert Michelisz, with a switch from Honda to Hyundai machinery for the 2018 season, with the team planning to run two cars in a top TCR series.

The team ran two cars in 2017 for Attila Tassi and Roberto Colciago, with both drivers in contention for the drivers’ title up until the final round, with 18-year-old Tassi finishing second to Team WRT driver Jean-Karl Vernay in the standings.

The Hungarian squad will make the move from the JAS Motorsport-developed Honda Civic to the Hyundai Motorsport-built i30 N TCR, the same car which team principal Norbert Michelisz will race in the 2018 World Touring Car Cup with BRC Racing Team.

The team have not yet finalised yet which championship in which they’ll compete, with a leading national series the focus.

“It is always a good feeling to see hard work pay off,” said team principal Dávid Bári. “We had an intensive winter season after we had won the teams’ title in the TCR International Series last year. I have visited Hyundai’s headquarters in Germany several times, and I was always impressed how professional and committed they are.

“I believe, the combination of the i30 N TCR and M1RA can form a strong package in the TCR category. To unleash the full potential in our team, we need a close relationship with a dedicated manufacturer with strong customer support, so I am really looking forward to this cooperation.”

“The team has several options for the forthcoming season and I am sure we will find the best solution soon,” he added. “We would be happy to compete in a strong regional TCR championship; however, we have not given up on showing up in the WTCR as well.”

Hyundai welcomed their new customer, with a number of major teams having confirmed they’ll run the Hyundai this season, with Target Competition making the switch from Honda to Hyundai in TCR Europe, and with BRC Racing Team and Yvan Muller Racing confirmed in the new WTCR – World Touring Car Cup.

“We are very happy to welcome M1RA as a Hyundai Motorsport customer with the i30 N TCR this season,” said Andrew Johns of Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing.

“They proved themselves to be a formidable, professional group last year, when they won the teams’ champions in the TCR International Series in their first full year of competition. With their excellent record, and the performance of the i30 N TCR, we are certain they will be able to challenge for victory wherever they choose to compete, and we look forward to supporting the team and their drivers during the season ahead.”