Kumho adds Australian series to TCR supply portfolio

Kumho has replaced Michelin as control tyre supplier to TCR Australia, adding the race series down under to a touring car championship portfolio that already sees it providing tyres for TCR Europe, TCR South America, TCR Brazil, TCR Spain, TCR Eastern Europe and TCR Denmark. The tyre maker will also supply control tyres for the new in 2023 TCR World Tour.

The multi-year deal to supply all competitors follows Kumho’s development of a bespoke tyre for TCR competition, a project it began working on in 2021. Global distribution of the new tyres is managed by Portugal-based Race Tyres International, with the Australian local distributor being European Technique Race Tyre Service.

In line with other global categories

Ben McMellan, head of category operations at series promoter Australian Racing Group, states that racing on Kumho tyres is “an important step for TCR Australia to make to fall in line with other major TCR categories around the world.” He adds: “Switching to Kumho means our drivers will have exactly the same compound and construction of tyre that the TCR World Tour teams will be using when they race here later this year. It also means that if our drivers or teams want to compete internationally, they are likely to have the same level of tyre knowledge.”

Michelin served as control tyre supplier of TCR Australia since the category’s inception in Australia back in 2019. “I’d like to extend a huge thanks to Michelin who have been a terrific supporter of TCR in Australia. They have been supportive and understanding through the past four years and we thank them for their commitment,” says McMellan.

Powerhouse racing category

The announcement of Kumho’s new remit comes as Supercheap Auto TCR Australia – to use the race series’ official full name – prepares to host as many as two rounds of the TCR World Tour, welcoming the world’s best touring car drivers to Australian shores for the first time in more than two decades. The Supercheap Auto Bathurst International has already been confirmed as one Australian round of the TCR World Tour, with another venue to be announced.

“It is fantastic to welcome TCR Australia to the Kumho tyre family for 2023 and beyond,” said Rene Quintaneiro, chief executive officer of Race Tyres International. “TCR has emerged as one of the powerhouse racing categories all around the world, and the work that ARG has done to make the Australia series one of the most competitive in the world is a real credit to their crew and teams.

“This new deal aligns TCR Australia with the TCR World Tour and many other TCR markets around the world, so it will make any transition for its drivers or team a lot easier,” adds Quintaneiro. “We have had great feedback from all TCR categories around the Kumho racing tyre and we are looking forward to getting the first batches down to Australia for the first round in February.”

Rich motorsport history

AWC Race Tasmania will open the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia season for the third time at Symmons Plains Raceway. The three-day event’s action begins on 24 February.

Kumho has a rich motorsport history in Australia, being the inaugural control tyre of the V8 Touring Car Series in addition to naming rights partner. The tyre maker also added the National Sports Sedan Series in 2020 and a great supporter of grassroots motorsport.