with IRC campaign
Tyre giant Hankook is stepping up its rally activities with plans to contest five rounds of the IRC this year ahead of a full championship assault in 2010.
Hankook has joined forces with MSD to run the Opel Corsa OPC Super 2000 on five rounds of the IRC starting with Belgium Ypres Rally in June before tackling rounds in the Czech Republic, Spain, San Remo and Scotland.
Driving the Opel Corsa will be French sensation 33 year old Alex Bengue who has already tested the car with Hankook tyres.
Bengue will also be supported this year by French oil company Yacco which has been a long term supporter of Bengue in France and at WRC level.
Hankook motorsports manager Mike Patterson said the opportunity to compete in such a high profile and forward thinking championship with such a great car/driver package would give the tyre brand huge exposure.
“We have been looking at the IRC for some time and sampled the championship with Stuart Jones in Switzerland last year,’’ said Mike. “Now is the perfect time to gain valuable experience on five rounds and plan a comprehensive campaign in 2010.’’
He said the mix of events chosen for 2009 would give the team valuable experience on both asphalt and gravel surfaces and ensure maximum opportunity for tyre development before the 2010 season gets underway.
“The Corsa is a stunning Super 2000 car and Hankook has proven capabilities on both surfaces so we will be looking to fine tune the development of the car and tyres during the remainder of 2009,’’ said Mike.
Further testing will be completed before the team heads to Belgium and Mike said that finishing in Scotland gives Hankook the opportunity to link up with leading competitors in this year’s Hankook Scottish Rally Championship.
“Rallying in the Scottish Championship is proving a great success for Hankook this year so it’s great that we can finish the IRC season in Scotland.’’
For MSD the opportunity to work with Hankook will give the Opel Corsa valuable development work.
The Opel Corsa OPC S2000 was homologated by the FIA in March this year and won its debut rally in the N4 class on the Mayo Stages Rally in Ireland driven by Gareth MacHale.
Recent development and testing of the Corsa has focused on working with the Hankook engineers to develop a new tarmac tyre which will be used by the team during the Ypres Rally.
David Whitehead, managing director of MSD said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for MSD to develop both the car and tyre package together with Hankook in the ultra competitive IRC.
“Alex is an excellent driver whose experience will be vital in achieving our goals and we’re all looking forward to the challenge we are about to face.’’
The Belgium Ypres Rally is based in Westhoek and runs from Friday June 19 until Saturday June 20 with crews competing over 285 km of twisty farming lanes in 16 high speed tests.
