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Daytona FAST FACTS:

Car of The Year: The race car version of the Hyundai Elantra, the 2021 North American Car of The Year™, made its North American debut at the Roar Before the 24 open test last weekend at Daytona. Having completed a substantial test plan through its development in Europe, the Elantra N TCR car will race for the first time this weekend on Daytona’s “roval.” Featuring twelve turns and Daytona’s notorious thirty-one degrees of banking, the Elantra N TCR will be put to its paces over four hours of intense competition. Racing the all new Elantra N TCR are drivers Ryan Norman and Parker Chase in the #98, and Mark Wilkins and Harry Gottsacker driving the #33 Elantra N TCR.

Strategizing Daytona: The 2020 IMPC season opener at Daytona International Speedway featured 51 cars and a quick pace, there were 110 laps raced and 391 miles completed in four-hours. There were just three caution periods for a total of 15 laps and 51 minutes. Looking at the four-hour challenge this year, BHA engineers are predicting four pit stops, burning 80 gallons of VP Racing fuel and have six sets of Michelin tires available.

Defending Champions: BHA Enters their third season of IMSA competition as back to back champions. Looking back at a phenomenal season in 2020 that saw the Hyundai’s win seven of 10 races, sweep the top three positions in the standings and the manufacturers title for Hyundai.

Electric Showcase: Hyundai Motorsport will introduce the all-new Veloster N ETCR car with a demonstration lap with Augusto Farfus driving prior to the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Daytona. Designed to deliver a peak power output of 670hp the Veloster N ETCR is the first electric race car built by Hyundai Motorsport. Work on the project started in late 2018, and testing began on-track in September 2019 with a prototype design before the final specification e-kit comprised of battery pack, motors, DC-DC inverter and gearbox was installed last year. The milestone run at Daytona continues the progress of the project, following the announcement of Hyundai Motorsport’s commitment to PURE ETCR.

 Welcomed Addition: In addition to Hyundai’s introduction of the Elantra N TCR to IMSA racing, BHA welcomes Taylor Hagler to the team. Taylor and her teammate, Michael Lewis will race the #77 Veloster N TCR car for BHA in 2021.

Double Duty: Ryan Norman, the 2021 IMPC TCR champion has a very busy weekend ahead. In addition to his full-time duties with BHA driving the #98 Elantra N TCR, Norman will reunite with his 2020 co-champion, Gabby Chaves to drive in the #7 for 47 Motorsports in the LMP3 class.

Growth: The IMPC season opener at Daytona features an expanded field of Hyundai entries. Coming off the heels of immense success the last two seasons, the Hyundai Veloster has proven to be the race car of choice, with six Veloster’s entered this season. BHA/Hyundai Track Support welcomes Michael Johnson Racing and the #54 Universal Coating Veloster N TCR with noted drivers Stephen Simpson and Michael Johnson. Copeland Motorsports returns with the 16-year old standouts Tyler Gonzalez and Tyler Maxson. The “Tyler’s” stormed on the IMSA scene last year scoring their first podium in their IMSA debut when the finished second at Atlanta. Also at Copeland, is BHA veteran and Hyundai Pro Mason Filippi. Filippi is paired with Olympic snowboarder AJ Muss. CB Motosports joins the IMSA ranks entering the #81 Veloster N TCR with Trenton Estep, Mark Kvamme and Caleb Bacon. Coming off their first IMPC race at last year’s season finale at Sebring, an der Steur Racing has announced a full-season entry for the 2021 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season, with drivers Rory van der Steur and Denis Dupont in the No. 19 Hyundai Veloster N TCR in the Touring Car (TCR) class.

Bryan Herta: “Following a successful test at the ROAR for the Veloster N TCR as well as the official global debut for the Elantra N TCR, we are ready to attack the first race of the Michelin Pilot Challenge. All of our teams and drivers have done a great job preparing themselves and we are eager to see the first green flag of the 2021 season.”