Photo: BRC Racing

Marco Butti to race third BRC Hyundai at Vallelunga

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The BRC Racing team will expand to run a third car for the latest round of the TCR World Tour this weekend at Vallelunga.

Marco Butti – a member of the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Junior Driver programme – will make his series his debut at the wheel of a third Elantra N TCR alongside team regulars Norbert Michelisz and Mikel Azcona.

The 18-year-old is competing in TCR Italy this season with the Target Competition team and sits second in the points after the opening two rounds, having scored a win and second place during the first meeting of the campaign at Imola.

“I am thrilled to be stepping into the Hyundai Elantra N TCR for this weekend’s TCR World Tour round in Vallelunga,” he said.

“I am determined to apply everything I have learned so far in the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Junior Driver programme and give it my all. The experience so far has been incredible, and I have grown so much already thanks to the guidance and support of Gabriele [Tarquini] and Hyundai Motorsport.

“To make my debut in the pinnacle of touring car racing with such an experienced and successful team as BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse is an incredible opportunity, and to do so at home makes it even more special.”

Team principal Gabriele Rizzo said he was pleased to bring the youngster onboard as the Hyundai squad looks to return to the top step of the podium – having taken victory in round one in the Algarve with Michelisz before he added a second place finish last time at Spa.

“It was great to score another podium in Spa, but it wasn’t an easy weekend,” he said. “The entire team is looking forward to competing in our home event. We know the Hyundai Elantra N TCR package can deliver podiums, as was shown in Vallelunga last year, and we will be looking to aim for the top positions like we did in Portimão.

“We are happy to also be welcoming a Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Junior Driver to our team for this weekend. It is a demonstration of our close co-operation with Hyundai Motorsport, and we are pleased to provide Marco with a platform to both showcase his talents and grow as a driver.”