Hyundai Motor Celebrates a Decade at Nürburgring 24 Hours with Bold Bid for Fifth Straight TCR Class Victory
Hyundai Motor Company is preparing to mark a major milestone in its motorsport journey with its 10th consecutive participation in the renowned ADAC RAVENOL 24 Hour Nürburgring race, scheduled for June 21–22, 2025. This endurance racing spectacle, hosted at Germany’s legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, serves as one of the most challenging and prestigious proving grounds in global motorsport—a stage where performance, precision, and durability are relentlessly tested.
As Hyundai reaches this significant ten-year benchmark, it’s setting its sights on securing a fifth consecutive victory in the TCR class, reinforcing its dominance in production-based racing and highlighting the technological prowess of the Hyundai N brand. This year, the company is also debuting the ELANTRA N1 Cup car in the SP3T class, expanding its global racing footprint and showcasing its commitment to innovation in high-performance automotive engineering.
A Decade of Innovation and Racing Excellence
Since Hyundai Motor made its Nürburgring 24 Hours debut in 2016, the race has become central to the brand’s performance development strategy. The grueling 24-hour event spans 25.378 kilometers of the demanding Nordschleife circuit, a combination of high-speed straights, sharp corners, and elevation changes that have earned it the moniker “The Green Hell.” For Hyundai, the race is more than a competition—it’s an intensive development platform for its N models.
“Hyundai N has leveraged the Nürburgring as a proving ground since the launch of the brand,” said Joon Park, Vice President and Head of N Brand Management Group. “This event underscores its strategic importance in validating the real-world capabilities of our N models. Our decade-long journey here represents a deep-rooted commitment to high-performance engineering and motorsport excellence. We’re proud of our past achievements and are determined to extend our TCR winning streak.”
The Nürburgring 24 Hours has consistently provided Hyundai Motor with critical data on durability, handling, and real-time race conditions—data that is translated into improvements in the brand’s consumer-facing N performance vehicles. This symbiotic relationship between motorsport and production car development is a hallmark of the N brand’s evolution.
Entering a New Arena: ELANTRA N1 Cup Car in SP3T Class
In a bold new step, Hyundai Motor is entering its ELANTRA N1 Cup car—known in Korea as the AVANTE N1—in the SP3T class, marking the car’s Nürburgring debut. This initiative highlights the brand’s efforts to globalize its one-make race series, already well-established in Korea through the Hyundai N Festival.
The ELANTRA N1’s entry in SP3T underlines Hyundai’s commitment to promoting racing accessibility and broadening the appeal of its high-performance models on the world stage. The Cup car, derived from the production ELANTRA N, has been rigorously engineered to withstand the demanding endurance racing environment, and its participation signals Hyundai’s increasing confidence in its grassroots motorsport platforms.
The N1 Cup car will be piloted by a diverse and talented international driver lineup:
- Gyumin Kim (South Korea): Two-time N1 class champion at the Hyundai N Festival (2023, 2024)
- Youngchan Kim (South Korea): Hyundai Junior Driver and rising star of the Korean motorsport scene
- Zhang Zhen Dong (China): Current TCR Asia Champion
- Jeff Ricca (USA): 2024 TC America Champion
This diverse team embodies Hyundai Motor’s expanding global motorsport network and its dedication to nurturing new talent from various racing disciplines and regions.
Defending the Crown: ELANTRA N TCR Returns for Fifth TCR Title
At the heart of Hyundai’s Nürburgring effort is its pursuit of a fifth consecutive TCR class victory, with two ELANTRA N TCR race cars once again prepared to take on the field. Hyundai’s TCR dominance in recent years has been rooted in a combination of cutting-edge vehicle performance, team coordination, and highly experienced drivers.
In 2025, the TCR effort includes two teams:
- Car #830 (TCR Class)
Drivers: Marc Basseng, Manuel Lauck, Christer Joens
These drivers bring a wealth of endurance racing experience and have previously delivered podium finishes for the brand. - Car #831 (TCR Class)
Drivers: Bryson Morris, Michael Lewis, Mason Filippi, Robert Wickens
This team balances youth and experience, including rising stars and well-seasoned professionals.
Of special note is the return of Robert Wickens, a highly accomplished racer who suffered a life-altering accident in 2018. Now racing with a specially designed hand control system, Wickens’ participation is not only a technical feat but a story of resilience and passion. His return highlights Hyundai’s advocacy for inclusivity in motorsport—demonstrating that talent and determination transcend physical barriers.
Strategic Growth: Expanding One-Make Racing and Technical Partnerships
The 2025 Nürburgring campaign is also part of a broader strategy by Hyundai Motor to globalize its Hyundai N one-make racing programs. The company is actively exploring the expansion of its Cup series in Europe and other key markets, aiming to attract a new generation of performance car enthusiasts.
Supporting this mission is a network of technical collaborators, including:
- Hankook Tire: Longtime motorsport partner supplying high-performance racing tires
- Titan 7: Forged wheels engineered for strength and lightness
- AST Suspension: High-performance suspension systems customized for endurance racing conditions
Together, these partners help ensure that Hyundai’s race cars are equipped with cutting-edge components, capable of withstanding the extreme stresses of a 24-hour endurance race while maintaining optimal performance.
Celebrating a Decade of Passion and Performance
In recognition of ten years at Nürburgring, Hyundai Motor is launching a comprehensive promotional campaign to engage fans and celebrate this historic milestone. The initiative includes:
- Special video content spotlighting Hyundai’s journey, behind-the-scenes race preparations, and driver profiles
- Interactive social media features for fans to follow the race and engage with the team in real time
- Commemorative merchandise and event activations designed to boost brand engagement and loyalty
The campaign reinforces Hyundai’s image as a brand committed not just to racing success, but also to fostering a vibrant community of motorsport fans.
Race Day and Beyond
The 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours is more than just another race—it’s a powerful statement of Hyundai’s past, present, and future in high-performance engineering. By fielding top-tier vehicles in multiple classes and assembling a roster of both seasoned veterans and dynamic newcomers, Hyundai Motor is aiming for nothing less than excellence.
As the green flag waves on June 21, enthusiasts around the globe will be watching to see whether can continue its legacy with a fifth TCR class victory and an impactful debut in SP3T. With a decade of experience, advanced racing technology, and an inspiring team behind the wheel, Hyundai is ready to meet the challenge head-on.
