Successful start to the endurance season: Audi wins the Hankook 24H Dubai in style

Team MS7 by WRT produced a flawless display to take victory at the Hankook 24H Dubai. After 596 laps of racing, Christopher Mies took the chequered flag at the wheel of the number 7 Audi R8 LMS GT3. In doing so, he secured the second overall victory alongside team-mates Dries Vanthoor, Mohammed Saud Fahad al Saud, Axcil Jefferies and Thomas Neubauer, having previously won the prestigious desert marathon in 2016. This was Hankook’s eighth year as title sponsor and exclusive tyre partner of the 24-hour classic, which not only traditionally kicks off the 24H Series powered by Hankook, but also forms the opening round of the international endurance season. As in previous years, the teams and drivers were able to defend fully on the tried-and-tested, high-end Ventus Race tyre at the 5.39-kilometre Dubai Autodrome. The 40-strong Hankook crew provided perfect on-site support.

Neu-Isenburg, Germany, 15.01.2022 – At 15:00 local time, 79 cars from twelve different manufacturers lined up in glorious sunshine. Right from the off, the pole-sitters in the #7 Audi R8 LMS GT3 and the second Team WRT car (#31) established themselves in the leading group. The number 75, 4 and 777 Mercedes-AMG GT3 and the number 92 Porsche 911 GT3 R were also in contention at the front of the field.

The race developed into an internal battle for the lead between the two Audis. After two thirds of the race distance, the eventual winners were able to pull clear, thanks to flawless stints and perfect pit stops. They then produced a commanding performance to defend their lead to the finish, with optimal support from the Hankook race tyre. 2:08.618 minutes later, the number 31 Audi R8 LMS GT3, with the crew of Benjamin Goethe, Arnold and Maxime Robin, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Frédéric Vervisch, crossed the finish line in second place to make it an Audi one-two. Third place went to the Mercedes-AMG GT3 (#75) run by the SunEnergy1 by SPS team.

There was a shock in the TCE class, which the BBR team from Thailand won with the number 159 Cupra TCR DSG after 541 laps of racing. AC Motorsport finished runner-up with the Audi RS3 LMS DSG (#188), ahead of the Les Deux Arbres team in a Ligier JS2 R (#202). Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe: “That was a perfect start to the season, with a large field full of high-class cars, manufacturers and drivers. The Hankook crew also did a great job and offered the teams optimal support in all situations. Our Ventus Race tyre once again demonstrated its class and produced a flawless performance at the Dubai Autodrome. I would like to congratulate the winners and those who finished, all of whom put on a great display of motorsport. I am looking forward to the next round of the 24H Series powered by Hankook, which takes place on 25^th and 26^th March in Mugello, Italy.”

Christopher Mies (MS7 by WRT), #7Audi R8 LMS GT3: “Our car was set up perfectly and ran fantastically. The whole package was perfect, the entire team did a superb job and fully deserved this great success.”

Kantadhee Kusiri (BBR), #159 Cupra TCR DSG: “I don’t know what to say. I am overjoyed. It is an indescribable feeling to stand on the top step of the podium at such a renowned race. I would like to thank everyone who made this success possible.”

Over Hankook Tire

Hankook produceert wereldwijd innovatieve, prijswinnende high performance radiaalbanden voor het premium segment voor auto's, SUV's, terreinwagens, lichte vrachtwagens, vrachtwagens en bussen evenals voor de autosport (circuit- en straatracen/rally's).

Hankook investeert voortdurend in onderzoek en ontwikkeling om haar klanten steeds de hoogste kwaliteit in combinatie met uitstekende technologie te bieden. In vijf ontwikkelingscentra en acht grote fabrieken wereldwijd ontwikkelt en produceert Hankook bandoplossingen, die specifiek zijn afgestemd op de wensen en eisen van de regionale markten. In Europa vindt de bandontwikkeling voor de lokale markten en eerste montage plaats in overeenstemming met de toonaangevende Europese autofabrikanten in het regionale technisch centrum in Hannover/Duitsland. De banden worden onder andere geproduceerd in de ultramoderne Europese fabriek in Rácalmás/ Hongarije, die in 2007 werd ingewijd en voortdurend uitgebreid wordt.

Het Europese hoofdkwartier van de bandenfabrikant is gevestigd in Neu-Isenburg, Duitsland in de buurt van Frankfurt am Main. De fabrikant heeft meerdere vestigingen in verschillende Europese landen en verkoopt haar producten op andere lokale markten via regionale distributeurs. Wereldwijd biedt Hankook werk aan ongeveer 20.000 mensen en levert haar producten in meer dan 160 landen. Het bedrijf is geselecteerd als de technische partner en exclusieve bandenleverancier van Generatie 3 voor het FIA ABB Formule E Wereldkampioenschap, dat start in 2023. Toonaangevende autofabrikanten vertrouwen bij de eerste montage op banden van Hankook. Ongeveer 38 procent van de wereldwijde omzet van de onderneming is afkomstig uit Europa.

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