FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., April 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai today announced that its high-performance N Brand is the title sponsor of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) race weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the third year in a row. The race weekend, known as the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship, will be held in Monterey, Calif., April 29 – May 1, 2022. The weekend begins with the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race with GS and TCR classes on Saturday and ends with the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship race featuring DPi, LMP2, GTD Pro and GTD classes on Sunday. Hyundai is also the broadcast title sponsor for the race on Peacock, and an Elantra N will be the pace car for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race.
Hyundai will provide N Brand experiences to fans throughout the weekend, including a chance to see the track-ready Elantra and Kona N models. Elantra N TCR and Veloster N TCR cars will be going for the win in the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 120.
“Last year, we had a great time showcasing the Elantra N to enthusiasts and N club members,” said Bryan Herta, co-owner of Bryan Herta Autosport. “This year we are inviting everyone to experience great racing at the best road course in the country. The following weekend we will be hosting the N Performance Academy providing our most passionate N owners with seat time and driving instruction.”
Hyundai now offers three purist N models and four N Line models in the U.S. market. This title sponsorship highlights the entire portfolio that includes the Veloster N, Elantra N, Kona N, Elantra N Line, Kona N Line, Tucson N Line and Sonata N Line. Race fans only need a key from any Hyundai model to access the N Lounge VIP area.
“Hyundai’s N Brand is a perfect match for the IMSA series and Laguna Seca’s 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course that includes the famous Corkscrew turn,” said Angela Zepeda, CMO, Hyundai Motor America. “Hyundai sees this partnership as a great opportunity to showcase the high-performance N Brand to fans of sports car racing and automotive enthusiasts.”
Hyundai will arrive at the legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge championship lead and a fleet of Hyundai TCR race cars consisting of five Elantra N TCR cars, three Veloster N TCR car and 16 drivers. Hyundai holds a 10-point lead in the manufacturers’ championship while defending IMPC champions Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis lead the drivers’ championship following two second place finishes to start the 2022 campaign. Hagler and Lewis drive the #1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR for Bryan Herta Autosport.