Tyre giant Hankook has this week unveiled plans to compete at the very highest levels - starting with Wales Rally GB.
The Korean company, which has its UK headquarters in Daventry, has joined forces with Warwick-based Silverline Motorsport to offer a dedicated motorsport service for rallying and racing in the UK.
And to launch the new venture in style, Hankook Motorsports has entered three drivers into three different classes in the British round of the World Rally Championship.
2004 British Rally Championship Production Cup winner Dorian Rees from Llanybydderheads the Hankook Motorsports team in a Group N Mitsubishi Evo VIII with Welsh co-driver Wynn Thomas on the route notes.
This will be Dorian's first attempt at the rally and after success in the British Rally Championship he is looking forward to moving up the rallying ladder to compete against the world's best.
In a Renault Clio will be Andy Gwynne and Holly Robinson from Cheltenham. Andy is no stranger to the event having competing in the event twice before but 20 year old Holly is eagerly anticipating her first assault on Wales Rally GB.
The identity of the third Hankook-backed driver is due to be announced within the next few days.
Hankook Motorsports marketing manger Paul Crowley said that by entering cars in three different categories, the tyre firm could illustrate its breadth of motorsport experience.
"Having been title sponsor of the Peugeot 205 Challenge this year we are delighted that Hankook is now expanding its motorsport involvement,'' he said.
"By working with Silverline Motorsport on the new venture we can supply motorsport competitors around the country and our involvement with Wales Rally GB will be a great way to demonstrate our potential and our pedigree.''
As part of detailed preparations for Wales Rally GB, the drivers have been tyre testing with Hankook Motorsports and are eagerly looking forward to putting the pre-event work into practice.
"We have driven mile after mile in testing and have been extremely impressed with the quality of tyres from Hankook Motorsports, and to have the backing from such a major company to do the event is tremendous for us,'' said Dorian.
Wales Rally GB gets underway in Cardiff with a ceremonial start on Thursday September 15 before three days of action in the forests of South Wales.
