Following the announced closure of Dunlop’s motorsport production facility in Birmingham, Korean tyre manufacturer Hankook replaces Dunlop as the title sponsor and the exclusive tyre partner of the 24H SERIES, a range of endurance race events for GTs, touring cars and 24H Specials. Hence, the series will officially be referred to as ‘24H SERIES powered by Hankook’ while the names of the various events will be ‘Hankook 12H ZANDVOORT’, ‘Hankook 12H HUNGARY’, ‘Hankook 24H DUBAI’ and ‘Hankook 12H ITALY-MUGELLO’.
“We are very grateful for the support we got from Dunlop over the years. They were instrumental in raising the profile of the various races and the 24H SERIES and we really enjoyed a partnership that has become a friendship”, says Gerrie Willems on behalf of Dutch agency, CREVENTIC, promoters and organisers of the 24H SERIES in co-operation with DNRT (Dutch National Racing Team). “Sad as we are to see Dunlop go, we are also delighted to have found a great new partner with Hankook. Supplying tyres for all the different cars in our races, from GT3 sports cars to the compact hatchbacks in the touring car classes, is a logistical challenge, but Hankook is perfectly able to handle this. In recent years, Hankook has become widely acknowledged in international motorsport and has built a strong reputation and vast experience in various top-level competition categories. Hankook’s competition department will also be able to provide the teams with their technical support. We are looking forward to a great co-operation and a successful partnership with Hankook for many years to come!”
Manfred Sandbichler, Director Motorsport at Hankook Tire Europe, comments: “As the exclusive tyre partner of the 24H SERIES powered by Hankook, we will contribute to this exciting project with our experience from many years in endurance racing. With our comprehensive line-up of competition tyres that have proven themselves successfully in classic endurance races on many occasions already, for instance at the Nürburgring or at Le Mans, we are perfectly able to meet the requirements of the field of competitors in all its diversity. For all types of circuits, weather conditions and sizes, we can provide them with the best possible tyres. Of course, our experienced competition engineers will assist the teams on site with technical support in all aspects where tyres and set-up are involved.”
The inaugural Hankook 12H ZANDVOORT, 30-31 May 2014 at Circuit Park Zandvoort in The Netherlands, will mark Hankook’s debut as the exclusive tyre supplier of the 24H SERIES powered by Hankook. The company will also provide tyres for the Hankook 12H HUNGARY (3-4 October 2014). Following an existing contract, Dunlop will still provide tyres for this year’s 24H BARCELONA (5-6-7 September 2014). Traditionally, next year’s season will start with the series’ flagship event, the Hankook 24H DUBAI, 8-10 January 2015 at Dubai Autodrome. The race in Dubai will be a very special occasion as it will mark the tenth anniversary of the first international endurance race of the new calendar year for GTs, touring cars and 24H Specials.
AutoMiddleEast.com