Three-time International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) Champions, Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) and Hyundai Motor North America, announced they have signed international racing star, Robert Wickens to co-drive the #33 Elantra N TCR racecar. Wickens will drive with fellow Canadian champion Mark Wilkins in the 2022 IMPC.
“Today is a monumental day for us as a team and as fans of Robert Wickens,” said Bryan Herta, president of BHA. “We have followed along with Robert’s rehabilitation and marveled at his determination and dedication, along with his many, many fans. To now announce that he will be making his professional motorsports return in one of our Hyundai Elantra N TCR cars is truly incredible. We thank Hyundai for their amazing support and helping us build a path for Robert to get back to where he belongs.”
What wonderful and wholesome news to get in a world where we seem to be running short of that type of thing. Wickens had the makings of a perennial championship contender before his accident at Pocono during his 2018 IndyCar season. Since his injury, he hasn’t been shy about showing how difficult his rehabilitation has been, nor has he shown any sign of not wanting to get back into a racecar.
From a competition standpoint, I think that Wickens and co-driver Mark Wilkins will be an instant threat for the TCR class championship. Wilkins is a stead shoe, Wickens—despite his disability—has a healthy amount of experience in touring-style cars after a stint in DTM, and BHA won the TCR championship in 2021 with Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis. With all of these pieces in place, the all-Canadian #33 Hyundai could make some major noise in the title fight.
Michael Miller 