Hankook Tyres prove gripping help for Faulkner to secure Group N success in Scottish Championship opener

The Scottish championship began in style for Hankook runners Mike Faulkner and Steve Clark with success in the Inverness-based Snowman Rally.

Mike and co-driver Peter Foy, from Bingley, took Group N honours with Steve Clark and Lee Kerr taking third overall in the class.

Mike and Peter were contesting their first event in a recently acquired Mitsubishi Evo 6 and were delighted to win, putting them in a buoyant mood before the next round of the County Saab Scottish Rally Championship in March.

“The rally was a real learning curve for us but both the car and the Hankook tyres performed brilliantly in the conditions,’’ said Mike who has been working closely with Hankook supplier Andrew Wood Motorsport to put together plans for 2007.

“This is a great start to the championship and we are looking forward to a great battle all year with our Hankook team mate Steve Clark,’’ said Mike who is a former Scottish Junior Champion.

For Steve and Lee, a podium place was just reward for an impressive drive with the Elgin driver switching from the co-driver’s seat this year.

Hankook Motorsports manager Mike Patterson said he was delighted that the Hankook tyres had played an integral part in success for both crews.

“We have worked hard to produce the right tryes for rallying in the UK and the success of Mike and Steve is testament to the investment we have made in producing tyres for the motorsport market,’’ said Mike. “We look forward to the next round of the Scottish Championship which is also a round of the Hankook Gravel Rally Championship.’’

The second round of the Scottish and Hankook championships takes place on March 24 and is based in Jedburgh.