Genesis Magma Racing Put On a Show at the Lone Star Le Mans—And Got Me Hooked On MotorsportsA Girls Guide to CarsAllison BarfieldMon, September 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM UTCAdd us on GoogleAllison BarfieldGenesis Magma Racing is the distinct athletic, orange flavor that adds more spice to the motorsports world just in time to get you hooked.I'll just put this here: I'm not a motorsports fan. My automotive heart usually belongs to off-roading in lifted trucks and SUVs, but as a longtime fan of Genesis, Hyundai's luxury division, I never turn down the keys to an opportunity to spend time with the brand. Over the years, the brand has wooed buyers with show-stopping design, cutting-edge tech, and top-tier luxury priced to undercut legacy rivals. What's been missing, however, is the ultimate proving ground where elite automakers truly earn their stripes: the racetrack.To compete in the same arena as Cadillac, Mercedes-AMG, and Ferrari, the company launched its dedicated racing arm, Genesis Magma Racing, by entering the World Endurance Championship, a global racing league known for its pinnacle race, 24 Hours of Le Mans. Christened in a radiant Magma Orange hue—a signature shade that will soon denote Genesis's high-performance production cars—Magma will leverage parent company Hyundai's racing pedigree earned in IMSA and rally racing, and push the South Korean brand onto racing's premier stage at a time when the global fascination with Korean culture is at an all-time high.AdvertisementAdvertisementStill, decoding the nuances of Formula 1, NASCAR, and multi-class endurance events can feel daunting. But the fastest way to learn a new language is total immersion, and Genesis gave me that trial by fire opportunity by inviting me to the Lone Star Le Mans in Austin, Texas. Stepping straight into the paddock for a grueling six-hour battle at Circuit of the Americas, I learned firsthand that diving headfirst into the culture is the best way to get hooked on the sport.This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. I was a guest of Genesis, but all opinions and impressions are my own.Genesis Magma Racing Competes In America For The First TimeCars lined up at the start of Lonestar Le Mans Credit: Allison BarfieldThe Lone Star Le Mans is a crucial part of the World Endurance Championship (WEC), where teams can earn points for the season based on their finishing position at the end of the race. You might wonder why people would watch an entire six-hour race if you can only put points on the board during the final lap.As a racing newbie, the best way to describe it is by comparing it to football, which tracks since the race takes place in Austin, where the University of Texas has a massive impact. Like a football game, a race isn't over until the clock runs out, and how your team uses the available time makes an incredible difference.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor example, if your favorite team throws an interception, the opponent gets the ball and gains an advantage with more time to score. If a race car is pushed off the track, then the driver has to work incredibly hard to regain their position in the pack. With hypercars that hit speeds around 190 mph, races can be won by milliseconds, and catching up is no easy feat!Also, there is plenty of action and strategy to enjoy. For example, teams must plan when to pit the cars to refuel, change drivers to ease fatigue, and change tires or drivers. Every pit stop must be executed quickly to minimize how far the car falls behind. Then decisions are made, such as how much fuel to add because fuel makes cars heavier, which can slow them down.The GMR-001 hypercar in the pitEvery aspect of the racing conditions matters, even the weather. When it rains or snows during a football game, things get slippery, and so does the pavement of a racetrack. Weather stations are set up around the track so teams can track weather conditions and plan to take the crucial time to switch to rain tires for better grip if needed.Like football players, drivers are entertaining to watch with unique backstories. For example, Ben Keating is a Texas car-dealer that drives for Corvette as a hobby. On an even better note, the racing world has cool women to watch. Jamie Chadwick is the reserve driver for the GMR team.Genesis Got Ready To Race In Only 500 DaysThe vibrant Genesis GMR-001 HypercarWhile legacy titans like Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Ford have been competing on global circuits for nearly a century, Genesis Magma Racing is a newcomer to top-flight prototype racing. Even so, the brand moved fast: developing and testing the GMR-001 Hypercar in an aggressive turnaround of just over 500 days to go toe-to-toe with the world's most storied endurance programs at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat goal seemed impossible to meet until Shell partnered with Genesis Magma Racing to help build a successful formula by helping to co-develop the hypercar's engine, powertrain, fuel mixture, oils, and lubricants. To even finish an endurance race, your car needs to be durable and reliable to handle high-stress performance environments.Shell was able to help the GMR-001 become more efficient, which can save time by allowing drivers to stay out longer before needing to refuel. Austin, Texas, added another layer of intensity with the hot and humid climate that racers aren't used to. All of the fireproof equipment that teams wear is highly insulated.Plus, race cars are stripped of creature comforts like air conditioning to save weight. On top of that, the vehicle needs to perform well without overheating so it can last the entire length of the race. This provided the ultimate testing ground to see if Genesis had the grit to compete with more experienced teams. For decades, automakers have had a "Win On Sunday, Sell on Monday" mantra, meaning cars that win races get more sales. It's all about providing your car with the best.The Racing World Is Authentic And AcceptingAllison straight cheesing with legendary driver, Jacky IckxWhen I joined Genesis Magma Racing at the track, I found that racing teams and fans love to be themselves. Genesis is a Korean brand, and the car is wrapped in a vibrant shade of Magma Orange to symbolize the subterranean heat and driving passion running beneath the nation's foundation. Adorning the livery are clean geometric shapes—a square, a chevron, and a square—which are stylized Korean Hangul characters representing "M-G-M" for Magma.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt also feels like the perfect moment for a South Korean manufacturer to step onto endurance racing's biggest stage. Global appreciation for Korean design, music, and cuisine is reaching an all-time high, but Genesis isn't new to competition—it's building on Hyundai's championship-winning legacy in rally and touring car racing. Now, it's taking on the best of the best. Surrounded by legendary legacy teams from France, America, and Germany, the vibrant orange car stood out against the Circuit of the Americas backdrop, bringing world-class prototype racing to a Texas weekend steeped in cowboy boots and Southern hospitality.In the paddock, fans and team representatives were eager to talk shop and share their passion. Drivers, crew, and motorsport royalty walked right through the crowd; I even crossed paths with Jacky Ickx, arguably one of the most accomplished endurance drivers in history."If your dream scares you, then you have to do it," he told me. His words put the stakes into perspective, because racing at this level is seriously scary. Hurtling down the straightaways at nearly 200 mph carries immense risk. During the race, when a competitor's punctured tire quickly filled the cockpit with thick, blinding smoke, the driver fought to get the car back to the pit wall before crew members had to haul him out into fresh air. It was a raw reminder of the razor-thin margin these drivers balance on every lap.The Genesis GV60 Magma Brings GMR To Public Streets2027 Genesis GV60 Magma is the street-legal race carDecades ago, racing programs had homologation rules requiring automakers to build a certain number of street-legal cars for public sale to qualify for races. The 2027 Genesis GV60 Magma builds upon this tradition as a luxury performance electric car that's based on the Genesis Magma Racing hypercar.AdvertisementAdvertisementOnly it isn't stripped down at all to provide the perfect balance of luxury, comfort, and athletic thrills. With a vibrant shade of Magma orange paint to match the GMR-001 and distinct features to set it apart from the crowd of generic boxy SUVs. It packs tons of heat with 641 hp and 582 lb-ft of torque to propel it from 0 to 0 mph in roughly 3.3 seconds.I haven't driven this particular model yet, but don't worry. I'm scheduled to enjoy a week with it this Fall. But I did get to ride along with a professional GMR team member around the racetrack, and there were multiple aspects to enjoy. Of course, it's a fast car with responsive handling and confident brakes. But it's also extremely smooth, comfortable, and equipped to stay cool in sweltering heat.If you're on the fence about racing, simply dive in. Racing culture is spreading with open arms; you will get emotionally invested as you worry about safety and track conditions while rooting for your team to win. Plus, you can meet drivers, get cars based on the racing models, and enjoy being your unique self with an incredibly cool new hobby. I'm new to things, but I'm already addicted, and plenty of other A Girl's Guide to Cars writers are available to answer more questions.Related HeadlinesAdvertisementAdvertisementSupercar Blondie on Supercars, Her First Car and Showing Up So Others Will, TooThe Truth About Worn Tires and Tire Replacement: This is What You Need to KnowThe Truth About Worn Tires and Tire Replacement: This is What You Need to KnowRead more at A Girls Guide to Cars