Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Hyundai Motor Avante N TCR achieves double podium at TCR World Tour
Hyundai Motor's Elantra N TCR racing around the tracks at the 2023 TCR World Tour held in Portugal from April 28 to 30. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Hyundai Motor's Elantra N TCR won first and second places at the first race of the 2023 TCR World Tour, which took place from April 28 to 30 at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal, the company announced, Monday.
According to Hyundai Motor, the TCR World Tour, which started this year, differs from the previous World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) as the competition selects nine events from the TCR series held around the world instead of being a single event. It ranks drivers based on the points they earn.
The TCR series is held in over 40 countries with more than 650 drivers participating in 25 car models from 16 brands. The TCR World Tour is scheduled to take place on four continents and in seven countries, including Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Hungary, Uruguay, Argentina, Australia and Macao.
The top 15 drivers with the most points from the nine races will compete in the TCR World Final, which will be held later this year or early next year, to determine the final winner. The TCR World Final will be attended by the top 15 drivers in the TCR World Tour and the top 45 drivers who have performed well in the global competition.
Hyundai expects good results in the TCR World Tour with Mikel Azcona and Norbert Michelisz, who were instrumental in helping the BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse team achieve a victory in the driver and team categories of the 2022 WTCR.
Michelisz won the first race of the season on April 29 in the Elantra N TCR racing car with a time of 22 minutes, 38.708 seconds. He earned 30 points from the win, in addition to 15 points from the qualifiers and 12 points from finishing eighth in the second race, for a total of 57 points.
Azcona, who also drove the same car, finished second in the first race with a time of 22 minutes, 39.413 seconds achieving a double podium by finishing fourth in the second race, accumulating a total of 55 points during the event.
"We will actively participate in various motorsports events in 2023 to showcase Hyundai's high-performance N brand," Til Wartenberg, executive vice president and head of the N brand and motorsports division at Hyundai, said.