When IMSA returns to the Monterey Peninsula on Labor Day weekend, it’ll be welcomed by a new title sponsor for the annual event at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Hyundai, which powered Bryan Herta Autosport’s 1-2 sweep of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR championship in 2019, will be the entitlement partner of an IMSA weekend for the first time. The Sept. 4-6 event weekend now will be known as the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship.
“Hyundai is proving to be a terrific partner in the rebranded Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship, and their on-track presence continues to impress us,” said WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca President and General Manager John Narigi. “We look forward to working with their skilled team on the Hyundai N Brand experience to provide even more exciting engagement opportunities for guests and fans who will join us for the Labor Day race weekend.”
The headline event of the weekend will be a two-hour, 40-minute IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race on Sunday, Sept. 6. Saturday’s headliner will be a two-hour Michelin Pilot Challenge event, while the IMSA-sanctioned IMSA Prototype Challenge and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama also will be featured attractions on the weekend.
“Hyundai is a valued partner of ours, and they have shown great success on the track in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in a short period of time,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “The combination of their planned activations and the scenic, iconic circuit in the hills of Monterey will make this an unforgettable weekend for everyone involved.”
The pair of Hyundai Veloster N TCR entries fielded by Bryan Herta Autosport won a combined four Michelin Pilot Challenge races in 2019, with the team’s No. 98 entry shared by Michael Lewis and Mark Wilkins taking the title ahead of their teammates, Harry Gottsacker and Mason Filippi in the No. 21 machine.
The team has shuffled its driver lineups for 2020 and added a third Veloster N to the stable as it looks to defend the title in 2020. In addition, Forty7 Motorsports, which won the 2019 IMSA Prototype Challenge title, has expanded its program this season to include a pair of TCR Velosters.
“Seeing Hyundai and their N performance brand combine with one of my all-time favorite venues is fantastic news,” said Bryan Herta Autosport co-owner, Bryan Herta.
Tickets are on sale now for the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship. Weekend general admission tickets are available for $75 each, with free paddock access for all attendees. Children 15 years of age and under are always free at WeatherTech Raceway when accompanied by a ticketed adult.
Tickets may be purchased from WeatherTechRaceway.com or by calling (831) 242-8200.