Hankook takes on Junior WRC tyre supply
This year, Hankook takes over from Pirelli as sole supplier of the newly-renamed Junior WRC Championship. The Korean manufacturer will provide the series – which used to be known as the WRC Academy – with tyres from its Ventus range. The Ventus Z range will be used for tarmac rallies and the Venus R during gravel events. Both tyres have tread patterns specifically designed for use on front-wheel-drive cars such as the Ford Fiesta R2, the car all entrants in the 2013 FIA Junior WRC Championship will drive. Detailed tyre specifications and the number of tyres to be provided to competitors will be announced prior to each championship round.
As part of the deal, Junior WRC crews will also receive training sessions with Hankook engineers on the tyres’ differing performances and handling characteristics, as well the importance of tyre management.
“We are delighted to have been selected as the official tyre supplier to the 2013 FIA Junior WRC Championship. This is a prime opportunity for Hankook to demonstrate the quality and performance of our successful Ventus line of ultra high performance tyres now on a global rally stage,” said Hee-Se Ahn, Hankook Tire’s vice-president for Marketing & Sales in Europe. “Applying the highest standards of quality in terms of safety, handling, performance and environmental friendliness is key to our development philosophy. We are excited to be part of this long term strategy for the development of worldwide rallying talent and fully expect that the young drivers being put through their paces in this year’s Junior WRC Championship will greatly appreciate the controlled driving experience that our tyres provide.”
“We are delighted to confirm Hankook Tire as the Official Tyre Supplier to the 2013 FIA Junior WRC Championship,” added FIA rally director Jarmo Mahonen. “The company has developed a strong reputation for its motorsport products in recent years. In addition to their desire to demonstrate their products in one of the toughest environments in motorsport, Hankook has also embraced the concept of nurturing and educating the rallying stars of the future. We look forward to seeing them work alongside M-Sport and our 2013 crop of Junior WRC candidates.”
The 2013 FIA Junior WRC Championship takes in six European rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship, and starts with the Rally de Portugal on 11 to 14 April; this is followed by the Acropolis Rally (31 May to 2 June), the Neste Oil Rally Finland (1 – to 3 August), ADAC Rallye Deutschland (22 to 25 August), Rallye de France-Alsace (3 to 6) October and the RallyRACC-Rally de Espana (24 to 27 October).
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