Hyundai is going out to play in the World Rally Championship in 2014 with an i20, ahead of which it’s strengthening its team.
At that time we had little information about the team, but in January we learnt that Hyundai had appointed Michel Nandan to head up their WRC efforts, a good move as Nandon was the technical director for the Peugeot WRC team until 2005, so he knows his stuff.
Now we learn that Hyundai is beefing up its WRC team as it prepares for a full season of WRC in 2014.
Recent appointments at Hyundai Motorsport GmbH include Frenchman Bertrand Vallat – who heads up the design office – and fellow Frenchman Stephane Girad arrives as engine manager, bringing with him experience gained at Peugeot Sport, Maserati Corse, Subaru World Rally Team, Prodrive and Citroen Sport.
Alain Penasse starts as team manager later this month – he has previously been with Toyota Team Europe and Peugeot Sport – and Ernst Kopp arrives to head up the Workshop with Stefan Henrich arriving to run marketing and PR.
Team boss Michel Nandan said:
I’m now surrounded by the best people in the business and I’m confident we’ll be ready to meet our ambitious goal to be ready at the start of the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship. While we have a very busy year ahead of us, I believe that team-work together with shared commitment and passion for motorsport are the keys for success.
Looks like a strong team from Hyundai, giving them every chance to make the first full WRC season a success and drive Hyundai sales, particularly its i20 and ‘Sportier’ offerings, in the process.
Mercedes62 says
If Hyundai can make a showroom i20 that goes as well this car will then I’ll be sold.