While a race car may look similar to its road-going counterpart, the transformation from a factory-built vehicle to a track-dominating machine is an intricate process. For the Hyundai Elantra N1 TC Evo, this journey from showroom to the garage takes just 18 working days. Here’s a look at the meticulous process that turns a road-going Elantra N into a fully prepped race car.
Hyundai USA delivers a brand-new Elantra N to the team’s facility, straight from the production line. At first glance, it’s the same vehicle that you would see driving on the streets, but the production-based racing value extends much further.
From there, the team wastes no time stripping down the car, removing essential components in order to prepare the chassis for race modifications. The motor, suspension, interior, and even the sunroof are all taken out, ensuring the base platform is ready for the next phase.
The chassis is then mounted on a dolly to allow for easy maneuvering. To install the safety cage, the interior undergoes a specialized preparation process using the dry ice method, which effectively removes sound deadening and adhesive materials. With a clean surface, base plates are positioned, and the roll cage is bent, mocked up, and welded in place, all of which is critical for safety and rigidity.
Once the roll cage is secured, the chassis heads to the body shop. Here, additional structural reinforcements and aesthetic refinements are completed before the car returns for final assembly.
Wiring is meticulously routed, and all necessary safety features are installed, including the fire suppression system and racing seat mounts. This ensures compliance with racing regulations and driver protection.
Next, the EVO exterior components are fitted to optimize aerodynamics. The upgraded suspension components are also put in place, replacing the factory setup with race-ready hardware for improved handling and durability.
The engine undergoes race-specific preparation before being reinstalled. Once in place, the team integrates the race-tuned software, which enhances performance parameters while ensuring compliance with technical regulations.
The car roars to life for the first time as all systems are checked. It’s then placed on the setup pad for its initial race configuration. Following this, it undergoes dyno testing to validate power output and fine-tune performance. With the mechanical work completed, the car receives its official racing livery, ensuring it looks the part when it rolls onto the grid.
In just 18 working days, the transformation is complete. What started as a standard Hyundai Elantra N is now a finely tuned Elantra N1 TC Evo, ready to take on the TC America powered by Skip Barber competition. While the touring car retains much of its road-going counterpart’s DNA, the enhancements make all the difference when pushing the limits on the track.