Are Hyundai cars fast? Well, if you’re Mark Wilkins or Mason Filippi, you know the answer to that is a resounding “Yes!” The pair won an impressive victory at the Lime Rock Park 100 on Saturday, July 22. The victory marked the team’s second win in the 2023 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, giving them the lead in the Driver’s Championship standings. There is a lot that goes into winning a race in the IMSA season — the car, the driver, and the driver’s technique all converge to create dynamic racing.
The Car – Hyundai Elantra N TCR
The team had the privilege of driving the exceptional No. 98 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, a car that never ceases to amaze. The Elantra N TCR is equipped with dual overhead camshafts and 16 valves, it delivers a breathtaking 350hp at 7000 rpm and an impressive peak torque of 450Nm at 3500 rpm, making it a formidable powerhouse in its class.
The Elantra N TCR is built for the race track but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the dynamic power of the vehicle as well. The standard Hyundai Elantra N draws power from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine. It boasts a horsepower of 286The Elantra N can be equipped with either a standard six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic transmission. Car and Driver testers reported a 0-60 mph sprint in 4.8 seconds and a quarter-mile in just 13.4 seconds, reaching 106 mph, when testing an Elantra N fitted with the eight-speed automatic.
The Drivers – Wilkins and Filippi
Mark Wilkins
Mark Wilkins became a member of Bryan Herta Autosport BHA and Hyundai in 2018. Since then he’s achieved multiple victories every season. He earned the title of 2019 TCR Co-Champion alongside teammate Michael Lewis. The Canada-born racer is a beloved figure among Canadian racing fans. He lives near his hometown of Toronto with his wife Leah, two sons Levi and Breen, and daughter Maisy, who was born in April 2022. With victories across various open wheel and sports car racing categories, no one can deny that Makr is an experienced driver.
Mason Filippi
Mason, a multi-time winner in TCR, co-drove with Tyler Maxson in the #77 Elantra N TCR for the year 2022. Originally from Alamo, California, Mason is currently working towards his bachelor’s degree in communications at Arizona State University. In his free time, Mason goes back to his first racing medium — go-karts. He enjoys go-karting, working on cars, and photography.
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The Technique
One of the more important factors of the race was fuel strategy. The duo from Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) adeptly managed their fuel consumption, allowing them to surpass the No. 37 Honda with just 15 minutes left in the competition. The victory on Saturday for Wilkins and Filippi means they have now reclaimed the lead in the standings of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) TCR Drivers’ Championship.
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