Hyundai back in WRC

This week Hyundai announced  that they are returning to WRC for the first time since 2003. At this week's Paris motor show they unveiled the Hyundai i20 WRC, as it intends to use for its return to the World Rally Championship next year. Hyundai i20 WRC will compete in selected rounds in the WRC in 2013 season and then a full programme in 2014.

The European-built WRC i20 is Hyundai's first World Rally Car since 2003, and the first WRC built in-house by Hyundai themselves.

Hyundai have competed in WRC back in the past with the Coupe F2 Rally Car and Accent World Rally Car back in 2000 to 2003. Best results were two forth places for the Accent in the WRC back in 2000 and 2001 with Alister McRae and Kenneth Eriksson.




In my opinion, this is good news for the WRC. Now you got five manufactures for next season which includes Citroen, Ford, Mini (if BMW have some sense to put Prodrive as their full time manufacturer entry instead of WRC Team Mini Portugal),the return of Vw for the 2013 season and now Hyundai. Anymore manufactures to come like a Toyota perhaps, with strong rumours that they are returning to the WRC. This must be good times for the WRC and I hope good times for Hyundai as-well.


But their is also some bad news that Hyundai is withdrawing support from its Formula Drift and Global RallyCross Championship campaigns in North America at the end of the season. Which means Rhys Millen Racing team will lose its main sponsor for both championships and find new sponsorship for the 2013 season for each championship.






Final thoughts, good times ahead for WRC with five manufactures next season in the championship and good luck to Hyundai in 2014 WRC season too. End of blog for how, new blog soon, bye.