Hyundai Motor Gears Up for 10th Year at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Sets Sights on 5th Consecutive TCR Class Victory

• Hyundai Motor Company to celebrate its 10th consecutive year at the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race, aiming for a fifth straight TCR class victory
• ELANTRA N1 Cup car to debut at the event, representing Hyundai N’s expansion of its one-make race series and highlighting the car’s performance and durability
• International champions from Korea, China and the U.S. will represent Hyundai N, enhancing the team’s global appeal and competitive edge
• Returning to the race is Robert Wickens, a paraplegic athlete who exemplifies resilience and the inclusive spirit of motorsport with Hyundai’s support

Hyundai Motor Company is set to mark a significant milestone at this year’s ADAC RAVENOL 24 Hour Nürburgring race, celebrating its 10th consecutive year of participation. This challenging competition, held at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany on June 21-22, 2025, serves as a formidable testing ground for high-performance production cars.

In this year’s race, Hyundai Motor Company aims to secure a fifth consecutive victory in the TCR Class, fielding two formidable ELANTRA N TCR race cars. In addition, the ELANTRA N1 Cup car will compete in the SP3T Class at Nürburgring for the first time. With a dynamic lineup of seasoned champions and ambitious newcomers piloting these vehicles, Hyundai Motor is poised to demonstrate the exceptional performance and technical prowess of its Hyundai N models, solidifying the brand’s steadfast commitment to excellence in motorsport.

Building on a Decade of Nürburgring Experience

The Nürburgring 24 Hours is one of the toughest endurance races in the world, challenging drivers and teams to conquer the iconic 25.378-kilometer Nürburgring Nordschleife over a grueling, day-long battle of speed, skill and reliability. Since debuting at the race in 2016, Hyundai Motor has utilized this platform to push the boundaries of its production-based N brand vehicles, gathering invaluable data to enhance performance and durability — a testament to the brand’s dedication to innovation and excellence.

“Hyundai N has leveraged the Nürburgring as a proving ground since the launch of the brand and this event underscores its strategic significance as a critical arena for validating the capabilities of Hyundai Motor’s N models,” said Joon Park, Vice President and Head of N Brand Management Group. “Our decade-long journey here echoes our commitment to motorsport and high-performance engineering, and we aim to continue our dominance in the TCR class.”

ELANTRA N1 Cup car Debuts in SP3T Class

For the first time, the ELANTRA N1 Cup car, known as the AVANTE N1 Cup car in Korea, will make its debut at the Nürburgring, competing in the SP3T class. This entry marks not only Hyundai Motor’s commitment to expanding its one-make race series but also its dedication to promoting ELANTRA N’s performance and durability on an international stage.

The N1 Cup car will be piloted by an international cadre of drivers, each representing key markets for Hyundai Motor’s performance division (details below). Among them is Youngchan Kim from Korea, a Hyundai Junior Driver and rising star in the Hyundai N Festival, the biggest one-make series in Korea. Gyumin Kim, 2023 and 2024 N1 class champion at the Hyundai N Festival, China’s Zhang Zhen Dong, the reigning TCR Asia Champion, and Jeff Ricca from the United States, the 2024 TC America season champion, further diversify the team’s global appeal.

TCR Class: Aiming for the Fifth Successive Win

Hyundai Motor’s TCR team, which includes Marc Basseng, Manuel Lauck and Christer Joens, is well poised to win the class title. With a history of formidable performances and a shared focus on teamwork and technical excellence, this seasoned group exemplifies Hyundai Motor’s competitive spirit and motorsport heritage. Bryson Morris, Michael Lewis, and Mason Filippi join in the endeavor.

The North American team brings an inspiring narrative to this year’s event: Robert Wickens, who returns to the race after a hiatus in 2024 due to an accident, is a paraplegic athlete competing with an innovative hand control system. His story of resilience and triumph exemplifies Hyundai Motor’s rallying call that motorsport is open to anyone who dares to dream.

Expanding Racing Horizons and Brand Loyalty

The Nürburgring endurance race serves as a pivotal platform for Hyundai Motor’s strategic initiatives, focusing on expanding its one-make race series globally. Efforts are underway to establish trophy cup programs in Europe. This expansion highlights Hyundai Motor’s ambitious plans to promote its high-performance N models beyond existing markets, enhancing brand reputation and reaching new automotive enthusiasts worldwide.

Hyundai Motor is committed to advancing the ELANTRA N1 Cup car’s capabilities through rigorous testing and strategic collaborations. Partners such as Hankook Tire, Titan 7 and AST Suspension have been secured, ensuring that the N1 Cup car enters the race with top-tier support.

Promotional Initiatives and Strategic Collaborations

To commemorate a decade at the Nürburgring, Hyundai Motor plans an extensive promotional campaign to enhance visibility and brand loyalty. This involves the creation of engaging content, including promotional videos that spotlight the company’s innovative approach to blending production car reliability with high-performance racing.

As Hyundai Motor embarks on its 10th year at the Nürburgring, it aims to not only continue its winning tradition in the TCR class but also introduce the ELANTRA N1 Cup car to one of the toughest racetracks in the world. This celebration of endurance, innovation, and global teamwork exemplifies Hyundai Motor’s dedication to motorsport and its high-performance lineage.

With the Nürburgring 24 Hours serving as a showcase for Hyundai Motor’s engineering prowess, the brand anticipates an exciting race weekend, bringing together a community of enthusiasts, drivers and partners to witness the relentless pursuit of performance and excellence.

Hyundai Motorsport Driving Teams at Nürburgring 24 Hours

Hyundai Motor shines in the TCR and SP3T classes with teams of seasoned champions and rising stars. Below are the teams and the drivers: