SJR Hankook Gears up for First Asphalt Test of Season

SJR Hankook rally drivers Gwyndaf Evans and Stuart Jones are set to face more than 160 miles of fast and challenging roads next month as the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship heads to the Scottish borders for the Jim Clark Rally. With one round down and the championship still in its early stages, the SJR Hankook team now turns its attention to asphalt and one of the toughest tests of the championship.

Hankook motorsports manager Mike Patterson said the whole team was looking forward to heading to the borders for the rally. “We had an outstanding start to the BRC in Carlisle with a podium place for Gwyndaf and top 10 result for Stuart,’’ said Patterson. “Both crews posted fastest stage times against some incredibly tough competition and we are now looking forward to seeing what the cars and tyres can do on the asphalt.’’

Preparations for the Jim Clark Rally have included extensive testing on Hankook tyres to find the best compounds for the potentially changeable weather on the stages. “July should provide hot, dry conditions but we know from experience that the Jim Clark Rally can throw everything from sunshine to fog and heavy rain at the drivers which makes for some difficult tyre choices.’’

He said that both Stuart and Gwyndaf have tested the Hankook tyres in a variety of asphalt conditions providing valuable data for the event and for the global tyre company’s development programme.

In addition to sponsoring Gwyndaf Evans and Stuart Jones, Hankook is set for a key presence on the Jim Clark Rally with additional support for Robert Swan, MGZR driver Matt Beebe and co-driver Gemma Price and also of BRC Rallymasters front runner Nigel Griffiths in the Tesco 99 Octane Subaru.