Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing has selected the drivers for their Customer Racing Junior Driver initiative for 2023, with TCR UK race winners Bradley Kent and Alex Ley among those chosen.
The news was announced ahead of the TCR UK Touring Car Championship’s Media Day at Donington Park, taking place on Tuesday 28th March.
Bradley Kent returns for the 2023 season, for what will be his third year in the TCR UK Touring Car Championship, switching to the family team-run Hyundai Veloster N TCR for this year.
Bradley has three race wins to his credit, all taken in his first season back in 2021 at the wheel of an Essex and Kent Motorsport Hyundai i30 N TCR.
Alex Ley has also been selected for the initiative, having impressed in his rookie season last year by taking three race wins, the most of any driver and in the process, became the youngest ever TCR UK race winner and more importantly, the youngest driver ever to win a TCR race, globally.
He did so despite missing the opening two races of the 2022 season, taking the chequered flag at Brands Hatch on the Indy circuit, Oulton Park on the Island layout and in thrilling style at Castle Combe in the second race of the day.
The initiative works to nurture young, talented drivers – helping them build their professional careers in motorsport on, and away from, the race circuit.
Each was selected based on a combination of their performances in competition, and their professional approach to motorsport during a rally or race weekend, but also away from these events. The aim is that, with the support of the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing department, the drivers can progress to compete at the highest levels in Motorsport.
Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Manager Andrea Cisotti said:
“The support we can offer all our customers, and our chosen Junior Drivers in particular, is a vital part of the work of the Customer Racing department. The addition of Junior Team programme adds further to the support we can offer our customers racing in TCR series.”
“From their experiences we know that while TCR UK is incredibly competitive, Hyundai Motorsport-built cars have the strength to contend for race wins and championship titles. The additional support we can offer as part of our Junior Teams initiative at the race track and throughout the season should provide the crucial boost to the drivers, not just for 2023, but in their future careers too.”
The 2023 TCR UK Touring Car Championship season kicks off at Snetterton on the 300 circuit on the 8th and 9th April, visit https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/ for more info and how to get involved.
