South American motorsport welcomes back one of its main names: Néstor Girolami, known as “Bebu”, will be an official Hyundai driver in TCR South America. The Argentine will share the grid with compatriots Diego Ciantini and Camilo Trappa.
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Girolami began his career in karting and quickly advanced to national categories, winning several titles in the touring car modality. Internationally, he competed in the Stock Car Pro Series and WTCC. In 2019, he began competing in the FIA TCR World Tour, achieving podiums and victories, with a highlight in 2022 when he was runner-up.
“First of all, I want to thank Hyundai Brazil and Damián Fineschi for their trust. It is a great challenge to return to competing in South America officially representing Hyundai,” said Girolami. “Factory-linked projects have always been of great importance in my career, and returning to South American motorsport, which has grown a lot in recent years, is something that motivates me a lot. I arrive at a moment of maturity and experience, which I consider fundamental to face this challenge. I hope to start the season well and fight for the championship. The category will be extremely competitive, but we are prepared to fight for the title.”
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For the team, Girolami’s return reinforces the goal of competing for the title: “For the team, it is a great satisfaction to have Néstor Girolami and all his international experience. He returns to compete in South America on circuits he knows very well, as he built an important part of his career in the main categories of Argentina and Brazil. I had the opportunity to work with him in the world championship as a performance engineer, and I know the level of professionalism he adds to the team. His arrival raises our level and reinforces the goal of being protagonists together with Hyundai. I thank Néstor, Hyundai, and the entire team for the effort to start this TCR South America season with expectations at the highest level.”
Girolami’s first official activity will be in the category’s collective tests on Friday, March 6, at the Circuito dos Cristais in Curvelo (MG), a stage that marks the start of the championship’s sixth season. The driver will use the same Hyundai Elantra N TCR that competed in the final stages of the FIA TCR World Tour.
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