Hyundai America to Compete in N24 With BHA Drivers

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Hyundai Motor America is set to compete in the Nürburgring 24 for the first itme, featuring four drivers from Bryan Herta Autosport’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge lineup.

The effort, in association with Hyundai Motorsport GmbH and Target Competition, will see reigning Pilot Challenge TCR champions Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis alongside Mason Filippi and Harry Gottsacker at the wheel of a Hyundai Elanta N TCR.

The 2023 debut for Hyundai Motor America comes after the manufacturer initially intended to enter the race in 2020 prior to the Coronavirus pandemic.

To be eligible to compete, all four BHA drivers are required to participate in informative classes, NLS races and the qualifying race ahead of the May 20-21 enduro.

Within the required NLS races, all four drivers will pilot a Hyundai i30 N featuring only slightly modified safety equipment in co-driver pairings of Hagler and Lewis then Gottsacker and Filippi.

Given the eligibility requirements, the drivers will be taking six trips to Germany leading up the twice-around-the-clock endurance classic, including one immediately following next weekend’s Pilot Challenge season opener at Sebring International Raceway.

“Hyundai and Bryan Herta Autosport give us such great opportunities,” said Lewis. “It is cool to compete in a historic, unique, and crazy event where we can showcase Hyundai’s vehicles amongst the great competition out there.

“[Twenty-four] hours around probably the most difficult circuit out there, but we love it and that’s the kind of stuff we look to do. Thank you to Hyundai for making this happen for us and we will do our best and have fun.”

“I look forward to representing Hyundai USA in an international program for the first time in Germany,” said Hagler. “We will have the opportunity to sample a wide range of the race-prepared versions of the N vehicles as we work to qualify for the race.

“It will be a busy spring balancing the logistics of our IMSA and Nürburgring 24 schedules and spending time on the simulator to prepare for the race.”

“I am very grateful for Hyundai making this happen, and it’s an honor to represent Team America at the Nürburgring,” Filippi said. “I cannot wait for each of the six trips and to run as many laps as possible to learn such a grueling, but fun track.

“Hyundai’s are fun to drive and it will be exciting to get behind even more N models while roasting around the Nordschleife.

“The Nürburgring is my favorite track I’ve ever driven, and I am fulfilling one of my dreams by competing there over the next few months.”

“We originally discussed this program a few years ago and I’ve been waiting anxiously for this opportunity since it was just a concept,” said Gottsacker. “I appreciate Bryan (Herta) and Hyundai working so hard to get this opportunity for Team America to take on the Nürburgring 24 Hour race.

“It is going to take a lot of effort to even make the grid in May and we’re going to work together step by step to be successful.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John