Hyundai expands rally activities with driver development program

Hyundai Motorsport will expand its activities in rallying this season with the launch of the Hyundai Motorsport Driver Development Program. South Korean Chewon Lim is the first competitor to receive the support of the scheme.

Hyundai's increasing presence in rallying follows the introduction of the New Generation i20 R5 in 2016. By working with Lim, Hyundai says it hopes to "help promote international rallying in [South Korea], home to Hyundai's international headquarters."

After competing for six years in circuit racing, including a stint in Formula 3 in Europe, Lim turned his attention to starting a new career in rallying. In 2015 the 33-year-old from Seoul beat 5,000 applicants to win South Korean reality TV show "The Rallyist" which aimed to find a new international rally driving talent. They were put through a series of physical and driving tests, with Lim being selected as the final victor.

Throughout the last year he worked with Hyundai Motorsport at the company's base in Alzenau, Germany, alongside young Belgian co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe. Lim and Wydaeghe made their competitive debut in June last year, entering a total of seven events in an R2-specification car. The pair will continue to work together throughout 2017, as they graduate to the New Generation i20 R5. The two drivers are scheduled to compete in up to 14 events across Europe, including Rallye Deutschland and the six stops of the Tour European Rally (TER) Series, which begins with Rally Transilvania in early May.

"This is a big step in my rally career," Lim said. "To be part of the Hyundai Motorsport Driver Development Program and have the support of a successful WRC team is very encouraging for me. Last year I felt I made a lot of progress. I had to learn a totally new system, having Martijn beside me in the car compared to before when I would be alone.

"The move into the New Generation i20 R5 is another challenge for me. There is a lot more power in the car, and it is also four-wheel drive, which means I have to slightly adapt my driving style again to get the best out it. Every time I get in the car I will be learning more, but that is the target."

Lim and Wydaeghe's first rally in the New Generation i20 R5 is this weekend at the Saarland-Pfalz Rallye (March 3-4) in Germany.