Photo: TCR

Hyundai launch Customer Racing Young Driver programme

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Hyundai has announced the launch of a new Young Driver programme aimed at customers competing on track around the world in the i30 N TCR.

Open to any driver under the age of 24 driving for one of Hyundai Motorsport’s customer racing teams, the programme has been created with the ultimate goal of helping drivers to progress from national and regional series up to the World Touring Car Cup.

Drivers will be selected based on their results on track in the chosen championship as well as their ability to work with the teams’ engineers, whilst the approach taken but on and off the track will also be taken into account.

Those who are chosen will benefit from support and mentoring from Hyundai’s WTCR drivers and will be given additional training and media coaching. The drivers will then be invited to a WTCR event this year, with the best performing drivers earning a test with BRC Racing when they will run alongside the four WTCR drivers.

“The introduction of the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Young Driver initiative adds another layer of support from the department available to our customers around the world,” Hyundai Motorsport team director Andrea Adamo said. “We already have some fantastic drivers racing with our cars, and the opportunities presented by being part of the programme will hopefully attract more young talent to Hyundai and the i30 N TCR.

“Through the new scheme we can help them in their professional motorsport careers, allowing them to progress through the national and regional TCR series towards FIA WTCR. I look forward to working with them in seasons to come.”

TCR promoter Marcelo Lotti was pleased to see Hyundai introduce the new initiative.

“Having this level of support from a customer racing manufacturer for the TCR regulations is fantastic,” he said. “A major part of the appeal of the category is the ability for drivers and teams to progress from a domestic series to international competition with the same car, so to have the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Young Driver initiative embrace that is very encouraging.

“There are already a great number of very talented up-and-coming drivers racing in TCR, and incentives like this will only make the series more attractive.”