Taylor Hagler Ready for IMSA IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Season

Primed for second IMPC season onboard new machinery: Hyundai Veloster N TCR

Daytona Beach, Fla. (19 January 2021) – Taylor Hagler will join IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) championship winning team, Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) for the 2021 season. The Texas native will get her first taste behind the wheel of the No. 77 Hyundai Veloster N TCR during the Roar Before the 24 weekend at Daytona International Speedway on January 22-24.

The practice weekend comes just one week ahead of the BMW Endurance Challenge that will open the 2021 IMPC season. Hagler made her IMSA debut at the 2020 edition of the event where she quickly made progress at the 2.5-mile course and completed her first professional race with a 12th place finish.

Having gone on to take a podium and pole in 2020, Hagler will look to use knowledge gained during her rookie season as she aims for her first IMSA win.

“Compared to where I was at this time last year I am a hundred times more prepared heading to Daytona,” said Hagler. “Last year I had never driven at Daytona, but now I know exactly what it takes to be successful at this track. While it will be my first time driving and getting used to the No. 77 Hyundai Veloster N TCR car, I’ll have plenty of time during the Roar weekend to learn the ins and outs of the car as well as work closely with the Bryan Herta Autosport team. This year will be a new and exciting chapter in my racing career and I can’t wait to get it started.”

The No. 77 Hyundai Veloster N TCR 

Hagler will enter her second year in the IMPC, but this time onboard the championship winning Hyundai Veloster N TCR with teammate Michael Lewis. BHA has built a competitive on-track program in partnership with Hyundai, winning the 2019 Driver and Team Championships in the first year with the Veloster. The program continued in dominant fashion in 2020 as BHA stood on the top step of the podium eight times with two podium sweeps at Sebring International Raceway and Road America.

Technical Specifications:

Engine:

• Transverse mounted, 2-litre turbocharged engine with direct injection, intercooled
• Life Racing ECU and data acquisition system
• BMC air induction kit

Transmission:

• Pneumatic paddle shift operated, 6-speed sequential gearbox with external preload adjustment

Braking:

• Front bespoke Brembo 6-piston monobloc calipers with Ø380mm ventilated brake discs
• Rear 2-piston monobloc calipers with Ø278mm ventilated brake discs
• Pagid brake pads

Chassis:

• Hyundai Motorsport-designed lightweight, high-tensile steel roll cage
• Strengthened production body shell, painted white interior and exterior
• Body panels from steel and GFC

The Season Ahead 

The BHA No. 77 Hyundai driver pairing will return to tracks around the United States where both Hagler and Lewis have storied success at.

In Hagler’s first visit to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2020, the 25-year-old drove to her first IMSA podium finish (2nd) before winning the TCR Motul Pole award for the second race of the double-header weekend, making her one of three females in IMPC history to achieve the accolade.

Hagler finished her rookie season with momentum as she drove to five top-five finishes in the competitive TCR class. Having formerly battled on track against Hagler, Lewis brings his own success with the Hyundai Veloster. Lewis has three 2019 race wins under his belt on the way to securing the 2019 TCR Championship. Most recently, Lewis won twice in 2020 with BHA.

“I am very optimistic heading into the 2021 season,” said Hagler. “ Many of the tracks we visited were new to me last year and now I come back with so much more data which gives me that much more confidence to get up to speed quickly. The Bryan Herta Autosport crew are some of the best in the business and they know everything about the Veloster which will help Michael (Lewis) and I compete for podiums and wins.”

Roar Before the 24 Schedule 

Friday, January 22nd

Session 1 – 10:00AM

Session 2 – 2:45PM

Saturday, January 23rd

Session 3 – 9:15AM

Session 4 – 4:20PM

Sunday, January 24th

Session 5 – 10:35AM

*All Times Eastern