Hankook Competition tyres have announced that they will enter into the New Zealand Rally Championship for 2011, servicing competitor’s tyre needs and showcasing their product with defending champion Dean Sumner.
Motorsport around the world is becoming increasingly exposed to the Hankook brand. Internationally, Hankook has recently signed on with Finnish rally ace Toni Gardemeister for his Intercontinental Rally Challenge campaign. They are also a long-time supporter of promising young driver Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen.
New Zealand tyre distributer Bill Hunter heads the national Hankook Competition team and brings his 20-plus years of national and international motorsport knowledge to the table.
“I’m excited to be able to provide New Zealand rally competitors with an alternative tyre option. We will be well represented at each NZRC round with a truck, crew and stock specific to the event. Our setup will include fitting services as well as tyre advice and support for all competitors who choose to run Hankook Competition tyres,” said Bill.
Top rally driver Rotorua’s Dean Sumner will be demonstrating the quality of the tyre brand under pressure, out on the stages this year.
In 2010 Sumner won his first Group N 4WD championship and took out the premier New Zealand Gold Star Rally Driver title. This year, the 31-year-old returns to defend his crown with co-driver Paul Fallon in the New Zealand championship-winning ITM-backed Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX.
“Hankook’s commitment to developing their products and Dean’s ability to set up a car for optimum performance will ensure a strong partnership. This knowledge will ultimately benefit our customers,” says Bill, who is also engaged in the role of ITM Rally Team manager.
“We have undertaken some intense testing over the last few months and Dean is very confident of a top result with Hankook tyres.”
The 2011 New Zealand Hankook Competition rally tyre range will include the R201 mud tyre, R202 dry gravel tyre for hard-based roads and the R203 wet tyre which can also be used in heavy gravel conditions. All three models are available in a variety of sizes, with the option of soft and medium compounds. Competitors are urged to order tyres in advance to confirm size and compound availability.
2011 New Zealand Rally Championship Calendar
Round 1 – Rally of Otago 8-10 April
Round 2 – Rally New Zealand 7-8 May
Round 3 – Rally Wairarapa 28-29 May
Round 4 – International Rally of Whangarei 16-17 July
Round 5 – Rally Hawke’s Bay 20-21 August
– Credit: The Tyre Rack.