Hankook enters three on Wales Rally GB.
Tyre giant Hankook has unveiled plans to take its products to the very highest level of international rallying, and will kick-start its assault by entering three drivers in next month's Wales Rally GB.
Tyre giant Hankook has unveiled plans to take its products to the very highest level of international rallying, and will kick-start its assault by entering three drivers in next month's Wales Rally GB.
The Korean company, which has its UK headquarters in Daventry, has joined forces with Warwick-based Silverline Motorsport to offer a dedicated motorsport service for rallying and racing in the UK. The three-pronged entry on Britain's round of the World Rally Championship is designed to launch the new venture, with reigning British Rally Championship Production Cup winner Dorian Rees being joined by Andy Gwynne and an, as yet, unnamed third driver in the line-up.
Rees heads the Hankook Motorsports team at the wheel of a Group N Mitsubishi Evo VIII, despite the September event being his first attempt at tackling Wales Rally GB. Gwynne has two such events under his belt, but the 2005 rally will be a first for 20-year old co-driver Holly Robinson, who tackle the event in the Renault Clio. The identity of the third Hankook-backed driver is due to be announced within the next few days.
"Having been title sponsor of the Peugeot 205 Challenge this year, we are delighted that Hankook is now expanding its motorsport involvement,'' marketing manger Paul Crowley said, insisting that, by entering cars in three different categories, the tyre firm could illustrate its breadth of motorsport experience.
"By working with Silverline Motorsport on the new venture, we can supply motorsport competitors around the country, and our involvement with Wales Rally GB will be a great way to demonstrate our potential and our pedigree.''
Wales Rally GB gets underway in Cardiff with a ceremonial start on Thursday 15 September, before three days of action in the forests of South Wales.
