Hankook Tire Begins Quest for 2010 Formula Drift Championship
Hankook Tire Debuts New Driver, Vehicles on Streets of Long Beach
Readies for Formula Drift Opener, Looks to Repeat 2009 Success
WAYNE, N.J. April 8, 2010 – Hankook Tire is getting back on the track this weekend for the kick-off of Formula Drift’s 2010 season in Long Beach, Calif., where Hankook will introduce a new race team and attempt to carry its convincing 2009 Formula Drift results into the 2010 season.
This year Hankook has expanded its stable of teams to include Conrad Grunewald Racing. Driver and team owner Conrad Grunewald will drive one of the few American muscle cars in Formula Drift – a 2010 Camaro SS outfitted with Hankook Ventus R-S3s.
“Conrad has a reputation as an intense competitor and brings a different element to our racing line-up with his R-S3 equipped Camaro,” said Jason Kim, motorsports marketing manager, Hankook Tire America Corp. “After our success in Formula Drift last year, we are confident Conrad’s addition to the team will take Hankook racing even further in all fronts, complementing our already strong list of pro drivers.”
Hankook is once again sponsoring Team Papadakis and Dynamic Autosports. Papadakis team members include the 2007 and 2008 Formula Drift champion Tanner Foust and returning for Dynamic Autosports will be Robbie Nishida, Eric O’Sullivan and Ryuji Miki.
“Our 2010 team is our best yet,” said Kim. “Our participation in the premier drifting competition in North America is a way of demonstrating our technology and also our most significant investment in professional motorsports here in the U.S.”
In 2009, Hankook’s Formula Drift sponsored drivers climbed onto the podium in six out of seven races, all using Hankook Ventus R-S3 high-performance race tires. In 2009, the first year the Hankook Ventus R-S3 was used in competition, its on-track success of six podium finishes established Hankook’s latest race tire as one of the premier tires in Formula Drift competition. Hankook applied its latest motorsports technology to improve dry-grip performance by 30 percent; further enhancing the tire’s handling capabilities. Additionally, the profile was developed to maximize the footprint contact patch.
“As our performance tires continue to gain popularity and make their mark on the track, Hankook is looking to give consumers an extra incentive to purchase these products,” said Bill Bainbridge, director of brand communication, Hankook Tire America Corp. “That’s one of the reasons why Hankook is offering consumer rebates on three of its top performance products with the ‘Great Catch’ rebate. The rebate provides a great investment opportunity for our consumers by delivering a high-quality, high-value street tire with an industry-leading warranty.”
The ‘Great Catch’ Mail-in Rebate program is available to consumers who purchase four select tires of any size between April 1, 2010 and May 31, 2010 from an authorized Hankook retailer. The tires included in the rebate program are the Ventus V12 evo, the Ventus V4 ES and the Optimo H727.
Along with the rebate offer, Hankook also is offering consumers an opportunity to enter a random drawing and a chance to win a new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, no purchase necessary, as part of the ‘Great Catch’ Car Giveaway. On or about July 10, one lucky grand prize winner will be selected. Information about both the ‘Great Catch’ rebate and car giveaway can be found on the Hankook Tire America website at www.hankooktireusa.com/greatcatch.
