Michelle Halder on course for success in the Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup on Hankook race tyres

The Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup enjoyed a successful debut 14 days ago, with two exciting races in Hockenheim. This weekend, races three and four of the one-make cup, which was launched at the start of 2018, feature on the same bill as the DTM at the Lausitzring. Professionals, juniors and gentlemen drivers all line up together in the new series, which premium tyre maker Hankook exclusively provides with the Ventus Race tyre. Michelle Halder is one of two female drivers in the field and is out to gain valuable experience of touring car racing in the Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup.

Klettwitz/Germany, 20th May 2018 – Michelle Halder grew up around motorsport. As a child, the kart track was like a second home to her. When she was just two years old, she accompanied her parents to watch her older brother Mike racing on weekends. At just five, she took her place at the wheel of a kart for the first time. “Right from the word go, motor racing was my passion. I never wanted to do anything else. When I was 14, I was the best-placed German in fifth place in the Kart X30 world championship. One year later, I moved into Formula 4,” says Halder, who lives in Messkirch by Lake Constance.

This season, the 18-year-old has switched to touring car racing. She drives a 495-hp, 1450-kilogram racer in the Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup and also competes in ADAC TCR Germany. It was in this series three weeks ago that she claimed her biggest success so far, when she finished runner-up in both races. “I benefitted from the tips I received from my brother, who has a lot of experience in touring car racing. Without him, that kind of success would not be possible,” says the prospective media designer.

Today, Halder has been completely accepted by her male colleagues and rivals. “That was not always the case at first and I had to prove myself. In the meantime, the men have recognised that there are also fast women in motor racing,” explains the Audi driver.

Halder is very familiar with the Hankook race tyre, as the premium tyre maker is exclusive partner of the Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup and ADAC TCR Germany. “It is incredible fun to drive on the Hankook tyre. It is very consistent and the balance remains the same throughout the entire race. You can set fast lap times right up until the finish without the tyre wearing. As such, you can focus fully on your race.”

The young racing driver has set her sights on as many podium finishes as possible this season. In the long term, she wants to convert her passion into a profession. “My dream, as is presumably the case for any racing driver, is to drive in Formula 1 at some point. However, that is obviously very difficult. Everything must come together perfectly. I would be happy if I could earn a living in motorsport later on, as a works driver, for example.”

À propos d’Hankook Tire

Hankook Tire fabrique à l’échelle mondiale des pneumatiques radiaux premium et innovants – dont plusieurs ont été primés – destinés aux véhicules de tourisme, 4X4/SUV, utilitaires, poids lourds, autobus ainsi qu’aux véhicules de sports automobiles (courses sur circuit, circuits urbains, rallyes).

Afin d'offrir à ses clients une qualité optimale associée à l'excellence technologique et au confort de conduite, Hankook investit en permanence dans la recherche et le développement. L'entreprise élabore et produit des solutions de pneumatiques sur mesure, parfaitement adaptées aux exigences et aux demandes des marchés régionaux dans cinq centres de développement internationaux et huit grandes usines. En Europe, le développement des pneumatiques ainsi que la production des équipements de première monte sont effectués dans le Centre technique d'Hankook à Hanovre en Allemagne selon les critères des plus grands constructeurs automobiles européens. Les pneumatiques sont produits au sein de l'usine européenne ultra moderne de Rácalmás en Hongrie, qui a été inaugurée en 2007 et ne cesse d'être agrandie depuis.

Le siège européen du manufacturier de pneumatiques est situé à Neu-Isenburg, près de Francfort-sur-le-Main en Allemagne. Le manufacturier possède des filiales dans plusieurs pays européens et vend ses produits par l'intermédiaire de distributeurs régionaux sur d'autres marchés locaux. Hankook emploie environ 20 000 salariés dans le monde entier et commercialise ses produits dans plus de 160 pays. L’entreprise a été choisie comme partenaire technique et fournisseur exclusif de pneumatiques de la Génération 3 pour le championnat du monde de Formule E de la FIA ABB, à partir de 2023. Pour leurs équipements de première monte, les plus grands constructeurs automobiles font confiance aux pneumatiques fabriqués par Hankook. L'Europe représente environ 38 % du chiffre d'affaires global de l'entreprise.

Pour obtenir plus d’informations, veuillez consulter www.hankooktire-mediacenter.com ou www.hankooktire.com

Hankook Tire Europe GmbH | Marketing Communications Europe | Siemensstr. 14, 63263 Neu-Isenburg | Germany