Looks to grow IMPC championship lead at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Monterey, Calif (26 April 2022) – 2021 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) Champion Taylor Hagler is looking to continue her strong start to the 2022 season as she heads to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship presented by Motul on Saturday (7:00pm ET, Peacock).
The third round of IMPC competition is a big one with the Hyundai N brand set as the title sponsor for the event weekend which stages races in four different series throughout the three day event. Hyundai will showcase its three purist N models and four N Line models at WeatherTech Raceway and will also allow any Hyundai owner to simply show their key to gain access into the N Lounge VIP area.
Saturday’s WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 120 will see Hagler share the driving duties with her fellow IMPC championship co-driver Michael Lewis in the No. 1 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR as they take on the home event for Hyundai.
Hagler became the first-ever female IMSA Pilot Challenge champion last year and has opened her 2022 IMPC campaign with two runner-up TCR class results. The pair of second place finishes have moved her and Lewis to the top of the championship standings ahead of the Monterey event weekend.
During her 2021 run at WeatherTech Raceway, Hagler delivered a third place finish with Lewis in the No. 77 Hyundai Veloster N TCR. The podium finish helped grow her lead in championship points on the way to claiming the 2021 championship.
“I can’t wait to get out to Monterey and get back in the Elantra,” said Hagler, who also attended the New York International Auto Show on behalf of Hyundai this month. “Michael (Lewis) and I had a great run there last year and we’ve had a great start to the season, so I want to keep building on that. The track changes a lot with the conditions, so it can be a bit of a challenge, but there isn’t any place like it and I’m looking forward to going back.”
Following the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship race weekend, Hyundai will stage a two-day on-track N Performance Academy at WeatherTech Raceway. The event will allow the most passionate N owners a chance to drive around the same 2.238-mile road course that the track-ready Elantra N TCR and Veloster N TCR cars raced at just days before.
With a focus on performance through it’s line of N models since 2012, Hyundai’s focus is set on developing its cars at racetracks such as the Nurburgring – where it has a development and testing base – and now WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca which will give N owners their own on-track experience.
Practice for the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship will kick off on Friday, with qualifying scheduled for Saturday morning (2:00pm ET) ahead of the Saturday afternoon race (7:00pm ET, Peacock).
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