Official Hyundai team Ricca Autosport kicked off the 2026 TC America season in impressive fashion this weekend at Sonoma Raceway, showcasing pace, consistency, and tight teamwork across a competitive field. Under sunny skies that warmed steadily throughout the weekend, the Ricca Autosport camp was visibly excited with the Hyundai package early on, with drivers expressing confidence by both performance and the debut of striking new liveries.
Off track, the paddock atmosphere was equally positive. Drivers, families, and friends gathered in support, building camaraderie that extended from earlier preseason activities including a Hyundai Boot Camp in New York City that helped drivers like Kunz, Rosenberg, and Castro gel as a unit.
Strong Start in Practice and Qualifying
Gravett led the way in Practice 1, setting the fastest lap of the session with a 1:51.023, narrowly ahead of teammate Castro. The momentum continued in Practice 2, where Castro improved his pace by half a second while maintaining P2, reinforcing the team’s strong baseline setup.
Castro also delivered in Qualifying when he quickly laid down a benchmark lap of 1:49.8. In the closing minutes, however, the No. 4 Toyota edged ahead by less than five hundredths of a second. Still, Castro’s performance highlighted his understanding of tire management and consistency on a notoriously demanding circuit.
“Sonoma is extremely tough on tires,” said team engineer Jeff Ricca. “With races extended by 10 minutes this season, we’re focused on extracting more life from the tires. Clean air is everything here—if you’re stuck in traffic halfway through, you’ll pay for it at the end. It’s also a very rhythmic track, so finding flow is critical.”
Race 1: Fast Starts and Controlled Execution
Friday’s opening race gave the team time to analyze data and fine-tune setups before hitting the track late in the day. Gravett made an immediate impact, charging from P4 to P2 on the opening lap.
The early stages were a bit of shuffling as Castro reclaimed P2 by lap four and Rosenberg fought back to position after early pressure from an Acura competitor. After the opening laps, the field settled
into a more strategic rhythm, with Ricca Autosport drivers maintaining strong positions through the remainder of the race.
Race 2: Castro Dominates, Midfield Battles Intensify
Saturday’s Race 2 saw Castro start from pole position and wasting no time asserting control. By lap three, he had built nearly a two-second gap to the chasing Toyota of Arthur.
Behind him, Eric Kunz delivered clean lines and a composed drive, holding position while staying clear of a heated battle between Toyota and Acura contenders. As the race progressed, tire management and precision driving became critical.
Further back, the action intensified. Gravett and Rosenberg ran nose-to-tail, applying relentless pressure on Kunz while fending off challenges from Lamarra in the Acura. The battle delivered some of the most exciting racing of the weekend, with multiple side-by-side moments and aggressive—but clean—defensive driving.
Castro continued to manage the race expertly, despite competitors trading quick times behind him, he maintained a gap of over a second through the closing laps to secure a commanding victory.
Other Highlights
Saturday delivered a standout moment beyond the racing action, as Hyundai N Club members from Northern, Central, and Southern California came together in the paddock. With Hyundai flags flying, fans connected with drivers and crew, experienced hot laps in the racecars, and capped off the day with a full parade lap of the circuit. The 45 Hyundai vehicles throughout the paddock underscored the brand’s unmatched footprint in the SRO series, highlighting the powerful bond between Hyundai, the team, and its enthusiast community.
With strong pace across all drivers, Ricca Autosport leaves Sonoma with confidence and momentum. As the championship progresses, the team will continue refining setups and maximizing tire performance.
Race 1 - Friday, March 27, 2026
Race 2 - Saturday, March 28, 2026
Driver Quotes:
Andre Castro – #77 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC Evo - “I'm over the moon with my first win for Ricca Autosport and GenRacer. The car was fast and consistent all weekend, and after a second place on Friday, I was happy to earn my first win in many years on Saturday. Thanks to Jeff Ricca, Hyundai, Borkan & Scahill LTD, and Olivia Racing for making it possible for me to race. I'm incredibly excited for the next rounds in COTA and I hope to raise more sponsorship so I can continue my season after that!”
Justin Gravett – #8 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC Evo - “Race 1 went great. Being able to finish on the podium for the first race of the season was amazing. Race 2 the car was there to fight for the front but just some unfortunate circumstances out on track led me to finishing fifth.”
Eric Kunz – #33 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC Evo - “Back to back P4 finishes is a great way to start a season! In race 2 I had a great battle with Justin for the majority of the race, it was a ton of fun and learning! I can’t wait to get back on track in a few weeks at COTA. I’m so thankful for Ricca Autosport and Hyundai giving us the opportunity to race such amazing cars.”
Matan Rosenberg – #78 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC Evo - “This weekend at Sonoma Raceway was a great first SRO TC America weekend for me. It was a big learning experience with so many new things introduced to me all at once. I can’t thank the Ricca Autosport team as well as Hyundai USA for the opportunity to be here. Their support the entire weekend allowed me to really focus and work on improving what I needed. I’m happy with the weekend and results overall, but most definitely plan to put in some serious work to be better prepared for the next time I race with the team at Road America.”
Shelby Mills – Fawn Group Motorsports by Ricca #18 Hyundai Elantra N1 TC EVO - “All in all a great opening weekend of the TC America season for 2026. The car was flawless, the Fawn Group MS by Ricca team did a great job making sure the car was perfect. I’m not completely satisfied with my driving, I was certainly hoping for better results. Having never been to Sonoma before, the elevation and high commitment nature of the track was humbling. The hard charger award in Race 2 felt like a win. I am looking forward to the remainder of the tracks on the schedule where I have much more experience. A big thank you to Ricca Autosport and Hyundai. It’s going to be a great season.”
Media Contact:
Alicia Busa - PR/Marketing media@ricca-autosport.com
440-667-0079
About Ricca Autosport: Ricca Autosport is the official SRO Hyundai USA partner competing in the SRO TC America Powered by Skip Barber Racing School. A Motorsports Logistics Company, Ricca Autosport offers sales, support, and service. With three team and manufacturer championships and two driver championships since 2023 they have the race winning experience and hardware to deliver results for their partners and drivers. For more information, visit ricca-autosport.com and tcamerica.us