Electric debut in PURE ETCR | Hyundai N
In a weekend of close racing, our team has claimed multiple wins in highly competitive battles at the first-ever PURE ETCR round in Vallelunga.
“The first-ever multi-manufacturer electric touring car series has made its long-awaited debut, and we have enjoyed incredibly close battles on-track all weekend,” said our Director of Marketing and PR, Stefan Ph. Henrich. “Although we are running on similar technology, the difference in set-ups combined the PURE ETCR racing format has delivered unpredictable and exciting racing.”
The innovative format of PURE ETCR offers plentiful opportunities for competitors to score points across the weekend’s on-track sessions. After the drivers were split into two Pools for the weekend, they then went head-to-head in Saturday’s Battle Rounds.
Making history
In Pool A, Augusto and the Hyundai Veloster N ETCR made history with victory in the first-ever PURE ETCR Battle 1. The Brazilian and his British teammate set impressive times in the time trial round to lock out the front row of their Super Final.
Both drivers made clean starts and continued to lead at the front of the pack before heartbreak unfolded. Separate on-track incidents led to both cars retiring from the final race – an unrepresentative finish to a closely-fought weekend for both drivers.
“With my victory in Round 1 and fastest lap in Round 3, it would have been a great result to win the Super Final too,” said Augusto. “I am disappointed with how my weekend finished, and now we have to put our heads together and work to ensure we are strong at the next round.”
“Saturday was a tough day, but I dealt with the car I was given and finished in the points in every session,” added Tom. “The final race was all going to plan with Augusto and I in P2, and it was incredibly sad to retire and not take more points in Vallelunga.”
Super Final victory for Vernay
In Pool B, Jean-Karl claimed a win in Round 2 with his Veloster N ETCR on Saturday. He started Super Final B in first, a position he never relinquished in his lights-to-flag victory.
John was third and valiantly defended his position in the race, but was ultimately unable to keep his rival behind and finished fourth.
“At the end of the day, we can be really happy with our weekend in Vallelunga,” said an ecstatic Jean-Karl. “I am second in the championship and as a team we scored lots of points this weekend.”
“Step by step I am pushing more and improving every time I get in the car,” added John. “It was important to finish each of the Rounds, score points, and bring home a good result.”