Hankook is exclusive tyre partner of the new DTM Trophy racing series

With the end of the 2019 motorsport year approaching fast, Hankook has entered into another partnership with a promising new racing series. The premium tyre maker will supply the new DTM Trophy with the high-end Ventus Race tyre and provide on-site support as of the 2020 season. Those responsible at Hankook have agreed a four-year contract with DTM umbrella organisation ITR, which will promote the new GT series. The new race format will feature on the support programme at seven rounds of the DTM, which is arguably the most popular international touring car series, and which Hankook has supported as exclusive tyre partner since 2011.

Neu-Isenburg/Germany, 2nd December 2019 – The DTM trophy will make its debut from 24th to 26th April next year, when it will share the bill with the DTM in Zolder, Belgium. The final round will take place in Hockenheim from 2nd to 4th October. The new race series is open to professionals, amateurs and juniors. Permitted are any production-based GT cars with rear-wheel drive in the FIA groups E2-SH and E2-SC, which all the manufacturers involved in motorsport have at their disposal. Hankook will supply all the teams with its successful Ventus Race tyre and will also provide the necessary expertise with its engineers and mechanics, who will attend every race weekend.

Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe: “For us, as a long-term partner of the DTM, it was a logical step to continue our successful cooperation in the DTM Trophy. As a tyre partner for GT series around the world, we have the expertise required for this format. We also have a vast wealth of experience when it comes to junior series and can offer the teams and drivers in the DTM Trophy the best possible support. We are looking forward to exciting new challenges at the DTM weekends, when fans can expect even more spectacular motorsport.”

As in the DTM, the DTM Trophy schedule will include two free training sessions on the Friday. Both Saturday and Sunday will feature a 20-minute qualifying and 30-minute race. The top three in the overall standings at the end of the season will be rewarded with an attractive amount of prize money. The winner receives € 75,000, the runner-up takes home € 50,000, and the third-placed driver will receive a cheque for € 25,000. The DTM Trophy not only offers drivers aged 22 and under the opportunity to showcase their talents on an international stage, in front of big-name manufacturers and teams, but the fastest junior will also receive a test drive in a DTM car after the season.

ITR Managing Director, Achim Kostron: “The prize money on offer to the top three overall and the chance of a DTM test for the best junior are unique incentives to enter the DTM Trophy. We are also delighted to have acquired the services of our long-term partner Hankook for our new support series. This ensures that all the competitors will not only receive the very best material for safe and attractive motorsport, but also the good Hankook service we have become accustomed to at the racetrack.”

Image caption from left to right:

Manfred Sandbichler, Motorsport Director at Hankook Tire Europe and Gerhard Berger, Chairman of the DTM umbrella organisation ITR sealed the new additional cooperation at the German based tuning fair “Essen Motor Show”.

About Hankook Tire

Hankook Tire manufactures globally innovative, award-winning radial tyres of proven superior quality for passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, RVs, trucks, and buses as well as motorsports (circuit racing/street circuits/rallies).

Aspiring to bring consumers the utmost excellence in product quality, technological excellence and driving satisfaction, Hankook Tire continuously invests in research and development maintaining five R&D centres and eight production facilities around the world. Bespoke tyre solutions for the European markets as well as European Original Equipment according to the requirements of leading premium car manufacturers, are developed in the company’s regional Technical Centre in Hanover/Germany. Production for the European region is taking place in the state-of-the-art manufacturing site in Rácalmás/Hungary which was inaugurated in June 2007 and is continuously being expanded.

Hankook Tire’s European headquarters are located in Neu-Isenburg near Frankfurt am Main in Germany. The manufacturer operates further branches in several European countries and sells its products through regional distributors in other local markets. Hankook Tire employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide and sells products in over 160 countries. The company has been the technical partner and exclusive tyre supplier of the Generation 3 for the FIA ABB Formula E World Championship since 2023. Internationally leading car manufacturers rely on tyres made by Hankook for their original equipment. Approximately 38 percent of the company's global sales are generated within the European region.

For more information please visit www.hankooktire-mediacenter.com or www.hankooktire.com

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

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