Add another manufacturer to LMDh competition: Hyundai Motorsport through the Genesis brand. No timeline has been announced for its debut, nor any series, although LMDh cars are eligible for the IMSA GTP class.
The statement from Hyundai Motorsport and Genesis read:
“Genesis is proud to announce its ambitious entry into the world of endurance racing through the LMDh program. Genesis is …
Well, that's some really awesome news I wasn't expecting to read today.
I think it's extra cool that it's going to be a Genesis.
This rumor has been lingering for a while. Pretty cool to hear and in line with the direction and trajectory of the Hyundai/KIA/Genesis brands over the last few years. It'll be interesting to see who they might partner with to develop the chassis, engine, etc.
When we were at the Nurburgring 24, my Hyundai buddy asked me casually "So what would you do to increase Hyundai's high-end motorsports visibility?" and I told him "Genesis badges on GTP cars and Hyundai badges on GT3 cars." So, you're welcome.
Obviously this way May of this year, so he probably already knew this was going to happen, but I'm sure it was nice to get some validation.
Now they just need to find a GT3 car, which is going to be trickier since they don't have a RWD two door or sports car, and all the high performance street stuff they seem to be moving toward is full EV.
JG Pasterjak said:When we were at the Nurburgring 24, my Hyundai buddy asked me casually "So what would you do to increase Hyundai's high-end motorsports visibility?" and I told him "Genesis badges on GTP cars and Hyundai badges on GT3 cars." So, you're welcome.
Obviously this way May of this year, so he probably already knew this was going to happen, but I'm sure it was nice to get some validation.
Now they just need to find a GT3 car, which is going to be trickier since they don't have a RWD two door or sports car, and all the high performance street stuff they seem to be moving toward is full EV.
Isn't the G70 a RWD platform? Is there a rule that a GT3 has to be 2-door?
I found the Genesis branding surprising, I figured they'd want to get more global recognition of the N brand.
Plus they'd have Hyundai N taking on Toyota GR in WRC and WEC.
JG Pasterjak said:Obviously this way May of this year, so he probably already knew this was going to happen, but I'm sure it was nice to get some validation.
Just imagine if that wasn't the case, and your Hyundai buddy ran back to HQ and was like "Guys I have an idea that I definitely came up with all by myself."
Racer Magazine suggests Genesis may partner with Oreca and Chip Ganassi Racing. May start next year in LMP2 in the European Le Mans series to get an understanding of the sport and rules and then move up to WEC and IMSA in 2026.
DirtyBird222 said:JG Pasterjak said:When we were at the Nurburgring 24, my Hyundai buddy asked me casually "So what would you do to increase Hyundai's high-end motorsports visibility?" and I told him "Genesis badges on GTP cars and Hyundai badges on GT3 cars." So, you're welcome.
Obviously this way May of this year, so he probably already knew this was going to happen, but I'm sure it was nice to get some validation.
Now they just need to find a GT3 car, which is going to be trickier since they don't have a RWD two door or sports car, and all the high performance street stuff they seem to be moving toward is full EV.
Isn't the G70 a RWD platform? Is there a rule that a GT3 has to be 2-door?
There's no rule from the FIA, but there probably are rules from the corporate marketing departments and I'm not sure any of the big Genesae are market correct for a GT3 run. And don't forget GT3 car have to be available to customers, so they have to be somewhat mass-produceable, so they'd have to commit to a deal where building a dozen or more cars would at least be possible should customer come-a-calling.
Colin Wood said:JG Pasterjak said:Obviously this way May of this year, so he probably already knew this was going to happen, but I'm sure it was nice to get some validation.
Just imagine if that wasn't the case, and your Hyundai buddy ran back to HQ and was like "Guys I have an idea that I definitely came up with all by myself."
I mean I like to think that would at least get me a return invite, so i'm okay with it.
JG Pasterjak said:When we were at the Nurburgring 24, my Hyundai buddy asked me casually "So what would you do to increase Hyundai's high-end motorsports visibility?" and I told him "Genesis badges on GTP cars and Hyundai badges on GT3 cars." So, you're welcome.
Obviously this way May of this year, so he probably already knew this was going to happen, but I'm sure it was nice to get some validation.
Now they just need to find a GT3 car, which is going to be trickier since they don't have a RWD two door or sports car, and all the high performance street stuff they seem to be moving toward is full EV.
Maybe the Hyundai N Vision 74 concept, which reports say is happening, will become the RWD ICE car we're craving.
JG Pasterjak said:DirtyBird222 said:JG Pasterjak said:When we were at the Nurburgring 24, my Hyundai buddy asked me casually "So what would you do to increase Hyundai's high-end motorsports visibility?" and I told him "Genesis badges on GTP cars and Hyundai badges on GT3 cars." So, you're welcome.
Obviously this way May of this year, so he probably already knew this was going to happen, but I'm sure it was nice to get some validation.
Now they just need to find a GT3 car, which is going to be trickier since they don't have a RWD two door or sports car, and all the high performance street stuff they seem to be moving toward is full EV.
Isn't the G70 a RWD platform? Is there a rule that a GT3 has to be 2-door?
There's no rule from the FIA, but there probably are rules from the corporate marketing departments and I'm not sure any of the big Genesae are market correct for a GT3 run. And don't forget GT3 car have to be available to customers, so they have to be somewhat mass-produceable, so they'd have to commit to a deal where building a dozen or more cars would at least be possible should customer come-a-calling.
Lexus is running an 8 year old RC F design and the G70 is in similar proportions as an RC F. Could totally see it happening. Unless they are like Toyota and have plans to release a new car concurrent with a GT3 car, like the new Lexus GT 3......also didn't Hyundai announce they are producing the N 74? That's a two door.
More OEM support of racing is always great!
That said, I would have preferred to see Hyundai keep all their racing efforts under the "N" brand. I feel like it's still not the well known outside of car nerd circles and they continue to put out cool products that they could "sell on Monday" after "winning on Sunday."
The other factory GTP efforts are all from brands that sell sporty cars (Cadillac, Porsche, Acura, BMW, Lambo) but Genesis doesn't really do sporty cars so I'm sure what they're trying to sell or who they're trying to sell it to here.
Ganassi is the obvious choice to field a team, as they currently don't have anything lined up for the IMSA/WEC series.
In reply to CrashDummy :
Agreed. A hypercar in whatever that Hyundai N signature blue color would resonate with me.
Good marketing. I always felt that the C8 should have been front-engined and the mid-engined version been a Cadillac. Halo cars should do halo things.
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