July 28, 2019 |
Successful partnership between Hankook Tire and the DTM now officially extended until 2023 at the Norisring
The location could not have been better. At the Norisring, the street circuit in Nuremberg known as the Franconian Monaco in the DTM race-calendar, the partnership between premium tire maker Hankook Tire and the DTM was made official. On Sunday, in the presence of Albert II, Prince of Monaco, Han-Jun Kim, President of Hankook Tire Europe, and Gerhard Berger, Chairman of DTM umbrella organization ITR confirmed the continuation of the trusted, successful collaboration until at least 2023.
Nuremberg/Germany, 11 July 2019 – In 2011, Hankook Tire made its debut as the official partner and exclusive tyre supplier in what is probably the most popular international touring car series. Since then, the premium manufacturer has made continuous developments to the DTM race tyres in four increments and provided the DTM drivers with the optimised support of the tyres’ high-performance potential and extreme safety.
The significantly higher stresses, this season, that results from the new generation of turbo-charged DTM cars with more than 600 horsepower, has by no means affected the performance of the Ventus Race by Hankook Tire. Incidentally, the race tyres from this premium tyre maker, as a constant factor for the new, considerably more powerful cars built according to the international “Class 1” regulations, have not been changed.
Gerhard Berger, Chairman of the ITR said: “This early contract extension is the expression of a successful and trusting collaboration with the premium tyre maker Hankook Tire. For the DTM as a technology and marketing platform, it is important to have a global player like Hankook Tire by our side, with whom we can break new ground and make continuous developments to the series. I look forward to a further four exciting years with our exclusive tyre partner Hankook Tire.”
Han-Jun Kim, President of Hankook Tire Europe: “We are proud to have extended the contract with the fastest touring car series in the world by four years, before it was up for renewal. This is the longest ever collaboration between a tyre supplier and the DTM. Hankook Tire has proven its high standard of technology and logistics with its high-end Ventus Race tyre line in the international and professional environment of the DTM since 2011. With this contract extension, Hankook Tire is intensifying its global presence in motorsport. We are pleased to be able to continue to work innovatively and in partnership with the DTM in the years to come.”
Another important factor in this long-standing cooperation is the outstanding collaboration between the Hankook engineers and the automobile manufacturers Aston Martin, Audi and BMW. The premium partnership between Hankook Tire and the DTM has made for spectacular, thrilling races at every track, and in all kinds of conditions, in the past. The continuation of this successful model guarantees motorsport at the highest level in the future in what is probably the most popular international touring car series.
The premium automobile manufacturers involved in the DTM also welcomed the early contract extension with exclusive tyre partner Hankook Tire:
Dieter Gass, Head of Motorsport Audi: “I’m delighted with the extension of the tyre partner for another four years in the DTM. We have been working together very professionally and successfully since 2011. Hankook Tire provides us with high-quality race tyres and is placing confidence in the series with the contract extension.”
Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director: “Continuity with partners is always good for a race series. Which is why it is positive that the cooperation between Hankook Tire and the DTM is entering the next phase. We’re looking forward to continuing the collaboration.”
Dr. Florian Kamelger, Team Principal R-Motorsport / Aston Martin: “In the nine years or so of their collaboration, Hankook Tire and the DTM have become a model partnership, which is no doubt unrivalled in professional racing sports. The global tyre partner delivers exemplary quality without which the high level of competition present in the DTM would be inconceivable. With our Aston Martin Vantage DTM we have had good experiences with Hankook Tire in our maiden season and the support from the Hankook engineers is exemplary and invaluable for a DTM rookie like us. We look forward to the further great collaboration and wish the partners Hankook Tire and the DTM a continued, successful collaboration.”
