Daytona Beach, Fl., Jan. 23, 2022 – Three-time IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) Champions, Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) with Curb Agajanian wrapped up their pre-season testing today at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Raceway.
The event kicked off with media day on Thursday and featured five practice sessions which began on Friday.
Robert Wickens made his official debut with BHA and Hyundai, using hand controls to drive the #33 Elantra N TCR. Wickens’ debut was flawless, he along with his BHA teammates completed a detailed test plan and exceeded the teams’ goals for the week.
Round one of the 2022 IMPC season kicks off with practice this Wednesday, January 26th, followed by practice and qualifying on Thursday, and the BMW Endurance Challenge, a four-hour race during the famed Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona race event on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. Follow the action live with timing and scoring at IMSA.com. Friday’s race can be watched live on PEACOCK, NBC’s streaming service at 1:35 pm ET.
#1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR
2021 Drivers CHAMPIONS
2021 Team CHAMPIONS
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Taylor Hagler: “Hitting the banks of the Daytona International Speedway in the #1 is pretty special, I had a pinch me moment rolling off the pitlane for the first time this week. Overall, I am very pleased with the Elantra N TCR. It’s an exciting car to drive and I can’t wait to race it.”
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Michael Lewis: “Getting back to driving and testing was so great this past week. Our #1 Elantra N TCR car was well-balanced and it felt great to drive. Thank you to BHA for prepping this car over the winter, it was ready to go, and we are now ready to race!”
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Ryan Norman: “We’ve made so much progress developing the Elantra N TCR over the last year. When I think back to the Roar and the race at Daytona when the car was brand new, it makes me really proud. It’s great working with AJ, I think we’re going to be a very competitive driver pairing.”
AJ Muss: “I’m so happy stepping up to the Bryan Herta Autosport camp. This Elantra N TCR really suits my driving style, it’s going to be a good car for me and working with Ryan and Parker this week was a lot of fun. I can’t wait to get this season started!”
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Mark Wilkins: “It was a very productive test for us. We worked through our comprehensive list of test items and feel like we gained a lot in conjunction with all of the other cars. We’ll combine this data, and all of the engineers will work together to come with the best starting plan for Wednesday. It’s been absolutely awesome working with Robbie (Wickens) and seeing him back in the car. Harry (Gottsacker) drove with us during this test as well, and he was fantastic as always.”
Robert Wickens: “It’s been great to be back in the car and back at Daytona. I haven’t been to Daytona in many years, and I think iRacing has been a great tool for me as the track seems very familiar, so kudos to them. I’m anxious for more track time, that’s always the case, Wednesday and the first practice can’t come soon enough. We’re chipping away at it, we are continuing to fine-tune the hand control system and the set-up. I’ve leaned a lot on Mark (Wilkins) for set-up the last few days as I get familiarized with the car. We’re very similar, so that works out well and it is exactly what I expected. I’m taking it all in, I’m back into the racing routine and all in all, I am very pleased, the car feels good, and we want to win next Friday.”
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#54 Universal Coating Elantra N TCR
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Stephen Simpson: “Last year we raced the Veloster N TCR and now we head into a new season with the Elantra N TCR car. It’s definitely very different in a good way, it needs a different driving style and I like it. I also enjoyed working with our new engineer Chris (Finch). I think we are going to have some epic battles this season and Michael and I will be racing for our third podium in a row at Daytona.”
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Mason Filippi: “It’s a great feeling as a driver to wrap up a test and have accomplished so much for the season ahead. It gives a lot of confidence going into our four-hour race next week to know we have a great set-up for this important race.”
Tyler Maxson: “The team is awesome; I am really excited to work with everyone at BHA. The car is absolutely amazing, it’s definitely a big step up from the Veloster. I am looking forward the challenge and the rest of the year.”
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Harry Gottsacker: “It’s been a great Roar. It’s awesome to welcome Robert to the team, already this week, I’ve learned a lot from him. Every year, this team and this program gets stronger, 2022 will be no different.”
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Parker Chase: “Mother Nature gave us a little bit of everything this week to prepare for the race next weekend and the season ahead. The Elantra N TCR proved to be a great race car last year in its debut and I think we just scratched the surface. I think Harry (Gottsacker) and I have a very exciting season ahead.”
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