Hankook Tire expands its involvement in motorsport, as exclusive tire supplier to European TCR series

- Hankook Tire is supplying the high-end Ventus Race tire to various European TCR series from this season
- Hankook, with its wealth of experience in the field of endurance and touring car racing, is well-equipped to master the new challenge.

Neu-Isenburg, Germany, March 19, 2021 - This year, TCR Europe enters its sixth season and will start on Hankook race tires in seven different European countries. The Slovakia Ring hosts the opening round on May 7. The quality field, consisting of cars from Alfa Romeo, Audi, Cupra, Honda, Hyundai and Peugeot, will then do battle for victory and valuable points at such prestigious venues as Circuit Paul Ricard in France, the Nürburgring in the Eifel region of Germany, and Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. The finale of TCR Europe will take place on October 8 at Circuit de Barcelona. Since 2016, the TCR Benelux Trophy has also featured in selected races within TCR Europe. Points count towards a separate classification.

Paulo Ferreira, promoter of TCR Europe: “We are delighted such a renowned and experienced premium tire maker as Hankook is supporting TCR Europe. The Hankook race tires have impressed with excellent performances in various TCR series in the past, in terms of both performance and consistency.”

Hankook is also supporting the third season of TCR Eastern Europe as exclusive tire supplier. The calendar comprises six rounds in six different European nations. The first of these comes at the Hungaroring in Hungary on April 16. This is followed by rounds at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, Poland, Croatia and Slovakia. Brno, in the Czech Republic, hosts the finale on September 3. Josef Krenek, organizer of TCR Eastern Europe: “Tires are a decisive component in motor racing, so it is very important for us to have acquired a strong and successful partner like Hankook. Whether in the ESET V4 Cup, on the endurance circuit, or in the Renault Clio Cup, we have had very good experiences with Hankook tires in recent years. That will also be the case in TCR Eastern Europe.”

As a sole supplier, the premium tire maker is supporting TCR Spain, which is set to make its debut on the international motorsport stage this year. The races in this new format will take place exclusively at Spanish circuits. First up, on April 10, is the Circuito del Jarama. The first season of TCR Spain draws to a close with the fifth and final round at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on November 13.

Sooil Lee, President and COO of Hankook Tire & Technology says “The TCR class is known for touring car racing of the highest standard. It features a wide range of brands and is established around the world. With this in mind, expanding Hankook’s involvement in TCR series is exactly the right decision. Our Ventus Race tire has proven itself in this class for years and we are looking forward to some thrilling motorsport at renowned, international racetracks.”