Hyundai adds new TCR team

Copeland Motorsports has purchased a new Hyundai Veloster N it intends to enter in IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Challenge series and the SRO’s Blancpain World Challenge TC America championship.

Due to arrive next week, the team will take delivery of the car from Hyundai’s U.S. motorsports agent, Bryan Herta Autosport.

“We have been in discussions with Bryan Herta Autosport on acquiring a Hyundai since mid-March and closed the deal late last week,” said team owner Dean Copeland. “We have had some interest from several drivers that knew about the expansion in our program, but we tried to keep it quiet for a little while. We are finally ready to tell the motorsports industry and begin our venture back into TCR.”

The BHA team, which led Hyundai’s charge in World Challenge last year, and moved to IMSA in 2019, will provide trackside support as Copeland gets up to speed with the Veloster N.

“The Hyundai Veloster N TCR car as the perfect solution for their growing team,” said Bryan Herta, president and CEO of Bryan Herta Autosport. “We look forward to working closely with the team to provide best in class support and service and I am sure they will be immediately competitive in the already stout TCR class.”

Identifying drivers to share the car is next on the team’s list.

“We are really looking forward to getting on track and up to speed,” Copeland added. “We have several opportunities for drivers interested in getting behind the wheel of the Hyundai Veloster N. We are looking to participating in both TC America and IMSA events in the future. Our first priority is to begin testing immediately.”