SJR Hankook gears up for first asphalt test of the season on Jim Clark Rally
SJR Hankook rally drivers Gwyndaf Evans and Stuart Jones are set to face more than 160 miles of fast and challenging roads next month as the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship heads to the Scottish borders for the Jim Clark Rally.
With one round down and the championship still in its early stages, the SJR Hankook team now turns its attention to asphalt and one of the toughest tests of the championship.
The tricky roads around the Scottish border town of Duns provide the perfect backdrop for the two day event which gets underway on the evening of Friday July 7.
Hankook motorsports manager Mike Patterson said the whole team was looking forward to heading to the borders for the rally.
“We had an outstanding start to the BRC in Carlisle with a podium place for Gwyndaf and top 10 result for Stuart,’’ said Mike. “Both crews posted fastest stage times against some incredibly tough competition and we are now looking forward to seeing what the cars and tyres can do on the asphalt.’’
Preparations for the Jim Clark Rally have included extensive testing on Hankook tyres to find the best compounds for the potentially changeable weather on the stages.
“July should provide hot, dry conditions but we know from experience that the Jim Clark Rally can throw everything from sunshine to fog and heavy rain at the drivers which makes for some difficult tyre choices.’’
He said that both Stuart and Gwyndaf have tested the Hankook tyres in a variety of asphalt conditions providing valuable data for the event and for the global tyre company’s development programme.
For Gwyndaf, who is this year being co-driven by Huw Lewis, the Jim Clark Rally is one of the key rounds in the series.
“The fast stages, friendly welcome, thousands of spectators and tough competition all combine to make the Jim Clark a really memorable date in the diary,’’ said Gwyndaf.
Young hotshot Stuart Jones, who is being co-driven by Craig Parry, is also looking forward to the borders-based event although he is still looking for his first finish in the tough contest.
However after competing this year in the Rallye Catalunya he feels ready to take on all competition on asphalt and is confident that more experience, a new car and the Hankook tyres will prove a winning formula.
“The Jim Clark has become such a classic event and it’s easy to see why with such great stages and tremendous support from the spectators,’’ said Stuart who has competed on the rally twice in the past.
In addition to sponsoring Gwyndaf and Stuart, Hankook is set for a key presence on the Jim Clark Rally with additional support for Robert Swan, MGZR driver Matt Beebe and co-driver Gemma Price and also of BRC Rallymasters front runner Nigel Griffiths in the Tesco 99 Octane Subaru.
