Elantra N TCR teams take 1-2 from excellent Mid-Ohio outing Hyundai Motor America-backed customers scored their first win of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season at Mid-Ohio (May 13-15). After escaping a first corner incident Hyundai teams dominated the two-hour event as the #98 Bryan Herta Autosport Elantra N TCR of drivers Parker Chase and Harry Gottsacker, and Rory van der Steur and Tyler Gonzalez’s Veloster N TCR combined to lead all-but 11 laps of the contest. In the closing minutes of the race Hyundai teams ran 1-2-3-4, but ultimately only claimed two spots on the podium. Chase and Gottsacker combined for the victory ahead of reigning class champions Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis in the #1 Elantra N TCR. The result further increased the champions’ lead in the points’ standings as van der Steur and Gonzalez moved into second in the championship after finishing fourth. Double victory for Bäckman, ROJA Motorsport and the Veloster N TCR A near-perfect double victory over the series’ weekend at Red Bull Ring (May 20-22) allowed ROJA Motorsport driver Jessica Bäckman to close to within a point of the TCR Germany points’ lead. i30 N TCR driver Jonas Karklys qualified on pole position for both of the contests, but it was Bäckman in her Veloster N TCR who took the points for the wins. In Race 1, after inheriting the pole after Karklys dropped to the back following an engine change, she led from lights to flag in dominant fashion as Karklys battled from the back of the field up to finish fifth, between fellow i30 N TCR driver Patrick Sing in fourth and ROJA Motorsport team owner Robin Jahr in his Veloster N TCR. In Race 2 Bäckman and Jahr came home first and second in a maiden 1-2 for the expanded team. The duo was part of the lead battle for most of the race, and were in the perfect position when the two drivers ahead collided to slip through for a superb result. |