Kumho KETC Awarded for Rally Raid Programme

The Birmingham-based Kumho European Technical Centre (KETC) has won a major internal award for its work in relation to the Bowler Nemesis Rally Raid programme. The award was granted for the centre’s work on the 275/65R18 KL72 and KL73 tyres it has specially developed for the 500bhp Land Rover-based Bowler Nemesis 4×4 – the covers are the only ones of their size and type available for use in the world’s major rally raid events.

The award recognised all aspects of the technology involved: the development of the distinctive pattern, separate constructions for sand and mud (ie the KL72 and KL73 respectively) and the innovative use of the ultra-tough synthetic fibre ‘aramid’ for optimum strength in the sidewalls.

It also took into account the valuable marketing exposure gained by the programme, including the ongoing global press and TV coverage it has received. For example, following PlayStation 3’s sponsorship of the team during the UAE Desert Challenge between October 26 and 31, PlayStation 3, Bowler and Kumho are to work together on a number of projects, each of which will be themed around the latest instalment of the MotorStorm video games series produced by Sony Computer Entertainment.

“The award we’ve won is in fact the highest prize attainable by one of Kumho’s overseas technical centres and we are very proud of our achievement,” said KETC managing director Roger Jenkins. “It is tangible recognition of KETC’s success in supporting the core business requirements of the company.”