아반떼 N TCR이 그리드에서 대기하는 모습 아반떼 N TCR이 그리드에서 대기하는 모습

2024.07.09 Hyundai Motorsport Team 분량14min

Hyundai Conquers the Legendary Nürburgring, the Green Hell, Winning the TCR Class Championship for Four Consecutive Years

In the 2024 Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race, Hyundai marked a historic feat by winning the TCR class for four consecutive years, and completing the race for nine consecutive years.

Nurburgring 24-hour Endurance Race 2024 Season Video

The Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race is notoriously one of the most challenging car races in the world. Competing on a track of the highest difficulty for 24 hours pushes both the car and the driver to their limits. The pressure is immense as victories often come down to mere seconds, leaving no room for complacency.

Front view of the Avante NTCR driving around the circuit

The race takes place on the Nürburgring's North Course, known as the Nordschleife, which opened in 1927, combined with the GP-Strecke circuit, which opened in 1984. The Nordschleife is nicknamed the "Green Hell" due to its grueling nature. The 20.832 km track, with 73 corners, winds through dense forests, featuring narrow roads and significant elevation changes that shake the car like a rollercoaster. Cars with strong fundamentals would only even think of speeding here.


Front view of the i30 N TCR driving around the circuit

Because of its infamous difficulty, the Nordschleife has become a preferred testing ground for top-tier car manufacturers worldwide. Extreme environments are necessary to refine a car's basic capabilities and durability. Hyundai completed its European Test Center at Nürburgring in 2013 to use it for car development and has consistently proven its prowess by participating in the 24-hour endurance race.

Front view of the Avante N TCR driving around the circuit

Therefore, Nürburgring is the birthplace of Hyundai's high-performance brand 'N' and a symbolic site that validates the excellence of all Hyundai vehicles, including the N brand. Hyundai is one of the champions of the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race. At the race held on June 1-2, Hyundai set a remarkable record by winning the TCR class for four consecutive years and completing the race for nine consecutive years.

How IONIQ 5 N Captured the Crowd

Ioniq 5 N TA Specs Exhibited at the Venue

The Nürburgring 24-Hour Endurance Race is a major event that draws the attention of motorsport fans worldwide. The event attracts many fans to the site, where various side events are held. Hyundai captured the spotlight with their special IONIQ 5 N. They also unveiled the 'IONIQ 5 N TA (Time Attack, a race to achieve the fastest time on a specific course) spec,' which recently participated in the 'Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC)' in Colorado, USA. Additionally, they announced a collaboration with the popular car simulation game, Gran Turismo.

Front view of two Ioniq 5 N TAs driving the Pikes Peak International Hillclime course

This signifies Hyundai's commitment to delivering driving pleasure in both the era of internal combustion engines and electric vehicles. A Hyundai representative explained, This event was one of the biggest gatherings of fans in the first half of the year. While we can complete the Nürburgring 24-Hour Endurance Race with internal combustion engines, we wanted to emphasize our commitment to developing high-performance vehicles and motorsports in the electric vehicle era, by unveiling the technical specifications of the IONIQ 5 N TA.” 

 

Before the main event, the 'Drift Showrun' featured the 'IONIQ 5 N Drift Spec,' showcasing impressive drifts. Seeing the IONIQ 5 N perform more spectacular and thrilling drifts alongside internal combustion cars was a unique experience. It reassured fans that the joy of driving would continue in the electric vehicle era, with even greater driving pleasure.

Mastering the Wet Track: Avante N TCR

Front and side view of the Avante N TCR running through the circuit

For the 2024 Nürburgring 24-Hour Endurance Race, Hyundai fielded four race cars. Three Avante N(Elantra N) TCRs competed in the TCR class, while one i30 Fastback N Cup Car competed in the VT2 class, with all cars finishing the race. This year, the performance of teams from various regions supported by Hyundai stood out. Participants included a European team consisting of drivers who led Hyundai to three consecutive TCR class wins at the Nürburgring 24-Hour Endurance Race from 2021 to 2023, the American team from 'Bryan Herta Autosport' competing in the 'IMSA Michelin Pilot Series' with the Avante N TCR, and the Chinese team with TCR China N drivers.

Front and side view of the Avante N TCR running through the circuit


The weather was gloomy even before the race started, with rain pouring down, making the track slippery. Most drivers reduced their speed due to the decreased traction, aiming for a safe race strategy over the 24-hour period.

 

However, the drivers of the Avante N TCR were exceptions. They confidently drove, leveraging the stability of the front-wheel-drive system on the slippery track. Combined with strategic race management, Hyundai drivers gained an advantageous position from the start.

Front view of the Avante N TCR running through the circuit

A Hyundai representative elaborated, Each driver has unique characteristics. There are drivers who can calmly navigate the start and early stages of the race, where most accidents occur, those who steadily improve their position, and those who maintain focus during night driving. We determined the order of participation* for each team based on these strengths. Above all, every driver was determined to finish the race no matter what.”

 

*Typically, 3-4 drivers take turns driving one race car, in a 24-hour race.

The Avante N TCR pit-stop, and the mechanics gather around to proceed with tire replacement

The essence of motorsports lies in the harmony between car and driver, working together to master the race. The sight of teams working quickly and efficiently during pit stops for refueling and tire changes is a testament to their dedication. As mentioned earlier, even a 24-hour race can be decided by mere seconds. Every team member works in perfect sync to save time and ensure the best possible performance.

Avante N TCR shows pit-stop and driver replacement


"Before the main event of the Nürburgring 24-Hour Endurance Race, all Hyundai drivers, engineers, and mechanics participated in a preliminary race in mid-April to practice for the 24-hour endurance race. Engineers monitored the car's condition in real-time through a telemetry system and communicated this information to the mechanics. Mechanics trained on pit maintenance and driver changes, while drivers practiced seamless communication with the team during the race," explained a Hyundai representative.

Green Hell Enveloped in Fog

rear side view of Avante NTCR driving on the circuit where darkness fell

As night fell, the Nürburgring 24-Hour Endurance Race faced its worst conditions yet, with dense fog enveloping the "Green Hell." The Nordschleife track is notorious for its blind corners, where drivers must enter without a clear view of the road ahead. With no streetlights, drivers rely solely on their headlights at night. The lack of safety zones means that even a small mistake can result in a major accident. The increasing fog reduced visibility, heightening everyones tension.

Front view of i30 N TCR driving on the circuit where darkness fell

In the worsening fog, a fierce battle ensued between drivers trying to overtake and those trying to maintain their positions. Kyu-Min Kim, a 2023 Hyundai Junior Driver’ competing in the VT2 Front class, delivered an impressive performance. Despite a puncture causing his car to drop to third in his class, Kim and the other i30 Fastback N Cup Car drivers climbed to second place, putting them in striking distance of the lead.

Front view of Avante NTCR driving on the circuit where darkness fell

However, the fog became so thick that it compromised the drivers’ safety, prompting the organizers to halt the race at 11:15 PM. The drivers returned to the pit with complex emotions, from frustration over the weather to hope for the race's resumption.

Avante N TCR enters the pit and is maintained with the bonnet open

Even during the race suspension, the drivers and team members remained focused, taking the opportunity to replace tires, refuel, and repair any car damage. They prepared the cars meticulously to be in optimal condition when the fog lifted. Despite their efforts, the fog persisted into the next day. The racers and spectators were visibly anxious. By 1:30 PM on Sunday, the safety car led the cars around the circuit for five laps, but the race was ultimately cut short due to the continuous fog.

Front view of two Avante N TCRs driving through foggy circuit straight sections

A Hyundai representative expressed their disappointment: Drivers participating in the Nürburgring 24-Hour Endurance Race are well aware of the potential for various weather-related challenges, such as heavy rain, hail, and fog. However, we did not anticipate the fog being this severe. Despite the challenging conditions, our drivers performed excellently. Competing with the support of spectators and fans was the most rewarding experience for them.”

Four Hyundai N TCRs posed with drivers and mechanics after stopping in the middle of the circuit course

In the 2024 Nürburgring 24-Hour Endurance Race, Hyundai achieved their fourth consecutive TCR class victory with the Avante N TCR. They secured first, second, and third places in the TCR class with teams from the U.S., Europe, and China, respectively. The i30 Fastback N Cup Car, competing in the VT2 Front class, finished second in the VT2 class and 75th overall.


Hyundai Motor Sports Team officials gather in the circuit pit section to take a commemorative photo

Hyundai is leveraging motorsports to build better cars. A Hyundai representative explained, All the race cars that participated in the Nürburgring 24-Hour Endurance Race were developed and tuned based on production models. Completing such grueling races proves the durability of the vehicles our customers drive. The knowledge gained from these races will be applied to future N models, providing even better performance for our customers. We are confident in our ability to continue building superior cars while maintaining ongoing communication with our customers and fans, ultimately leading the automotive culture.”

The Nürburgring 24-Hour Endurance Race of this year has concluded, but it is not the end. Hyundai is already preparing for the next race. Continuous improvement and effort are necessary for victory. By addressing shortcomings and continually refining their team, Hyundai has achieved four consecutive TCR class wins and nine consecutive completions. Fans are already eagerly awaiting the 2025 Nürburgring 24-Hour Endurance Race, and the fierce battle they will be able to witness.