Press Release

  • Motorsport

Great confidence with the Hankook race tyre: Wim Spinoy aiming for the title in the Belcar Series

Premium tyre maker Hankook has been the exclusive tyre partner to the Belcar Series since the start of this season. On the weekend of 17th to 19th May, the renowned racing series, in which the competitors race on the standard Ventus Race tyre supplied by Hankook, held its season-opener on the same bill as the DTM in Zolder, Belgium. The Belcar Series comprises six rounds in Belgium and the Netherlands, with the races featuring prototypes, GT cars and touring cars. Last year, in his rookie season as a racing driver, Wim Spinoy was second in the GT4 category at the first time of asking. This year, the Belgian has his sights set firmly on the winning the championship.
Great confidence with the Hankook race tyre: Wim Spinoy aiming for the title in the Belcar Series

Neu-Isenburg/Germany, 28th May 2019 – Unlike many of his fellow drivers, Wim Spinoy is a latecomer. He was 35 when he embarked on his motorsport career in 2018. He was a fan of motor racing as a child, but opted instead to pursue his talent on the football pitch, becoming a successful player. “I played in the first division in Belgium, but never lost my passion for motorsport. However, my parents did not want me to get behind the wheel of a racing car. They thought it was too dangerous. Last year, when my football career came to an end, I took the plunge and entered the Belcar Series,” explains the 37-year-old.

Wim Spinoy acquired sponsors for his motorsport team and was successful at the first attempt. He and his partner Kenneth Heyer finished on the podium in the first two races, before taking their maiden victory in race three. “It was a case of ‘in at the deep end’. I did not have a lot of experience, but was determined to succeed. At the end of the 2018 season we were second overall in our class. This year, we want to win the title,” says the banker, who is married with two sons, aged three and five.

The new partnership with premium tyre maker Hankook allows Wim Spinoy to get to know his car even better. “A new tyre is always a new challenge. It cannot adapt to us, so we must adapt our car set-up and driving style. We analysed in great detail how the Hankook tyre would work with our car, and I am very happy. The Hankook tyre gives me assurance and confidence. That is hugely important, particularly over long distances.”

For Spinoy, the 24-hour races are the real highlights. The Belgian’s tactical nous and clever pacing of the race are particularly beneficial over the long distance. The 24-hour race in Le Mans is a step too far at the moment for the latecomer, who is realistic about his chances. Instead, he has set his sights on the endurance classic in his home country of Belgium. “I would like to finish on the podium in the Pro-Am class at the 24 Hours of Spa. To drive in front of your own people in this iconic race is the best feeling anyway. To climb onto the podium would be a dream come true.”

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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Contacts

Sabine Riedel

PR Manager Marketing Communications

 +49 (0) 6102 8149-178

Sabine Riedel

PR Manager Marketing Communications

 +49 (0) 6102 8149-178

Lisa Schmid

PR Manager Marketing Communications

+49 (0) 6102 8149-172

Alexander Nevinny-Stickel

PR Manager Marketing Communications

+49 (0) 6102 8149-173

Annika Malcherek

Annika Malcherek

Digital Lead Marketing Communications

+49 (0) 6102 8149-176

Stefan Prohaska

Stefan Prohaska

Digital Marketing Communications

 +49 (0) 6102 8149-171

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