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Back to October 2011 Motorsports News Archive
| 18-10-2011 at 08:00: V8 Supertourers Announce Tyre Supplier | |
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V8SuperTourers Ltd announced it has appointed Hankook as the exclusive supplier to the series for three years, commencing in 2012. All entrants will run on Ventus F200 slick and Ventus Z207 wet tyres that have the same construction and compounds as the tyre exclusively supplied by Hankook to the DTM. The tyres will be supplied to V8SuperTourers through Hankook’s New Zealand distributor Value Tyres Ltd. The managing director of V8SuperTourers Ltd, Mark Petch, says that the Hankook tyres were selected after an exhaustive testing process. “We tested the benchmark European racing tyres used in top-level series’ from around the world, but found the Hankook tyres performed as well or better,” said Mr Petch. “Hankook’s compounds and construction are world-leading. Where other tyres we tested had limited durability and would begin to blister, the Hankook tyres do not. They certainly exceeded our expectations.” V8SuperTourers are built using similar regulations to the upcoming 2013 V8 Supercars Car Of The Future (COTF) technical specifications, but are run on a slightly narrower 18×10.5in wheel and 280/680R18-sized tyre. Designed from the outset as a category to keep competitor costs down, V8SuperTourers are built on a common racing chassis. A 7.0-litre dry-sumped alloy V8 engine, identical to the American-built Mosler GT3 cars, will power all V8SuperTourer cars. Representing the latest models from Holden and Ford, there will be scope for additional manufacturers to join the series in the future. Sixteen vehicles will line up on the grid at the first meeting at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park on February 17 to 19 2012. Paul Ceprnich, V8SuperTourer designer and engineer, says that the tyres performed well in testing. “Hampton Downs is very hard on the left-hand rear tyre, and with the torque of the 7.0-litre V8, the rear tyres are pushed quite hard,” Mr Ceprnich said. “The Hankook tyres performed well, but it was their durability that really impressed. We tested the medium compound, and we were able to test on one set of tyres all day. “Our testing was in probably the toughest conditions the cars will face, and the Hankook tyres passed with flying colours, showing excellent consistency.” The series has drawn many top-flight drivers, including V8 Supercars star and 2011 Bathurst 1000 pole-sitter Greg Murphy, alongside Kiwi racers and 2011 Bathurst 1000 drivers Craig Baird, Daniel Gaunt and John McIntyre. A series of endurance races late in the season is expected to draw V8 Supercar drivers including Jamie Whincup, Craig Lowndes, Shane Van Gisbergen, Russell Ingall and Fabian Coulthard. Hankook race tyre development engineer Roy Cha was involved in the V8SuperTourers testing process, and says that he was not surprised by the performance of the Hankook tyres. “We have spent thousands of hours researching, developing and testing our tyre constructions and compounds across many racing series worldwide,” said Mr Cha. “The V8SuperTourer chassis is highly developed and an excellent race car. In testing we saw similar results to what we see in DTM racing. Being able to transfer that expertise was a great advantage for Hankook.” Hankook Tyre Australia marketing manager Jose Angeles says that Hankook is excited to be extending its motorsport portfolio. “We have made a significant investment in our production facilities in order to meet the new demand, with new moulds and an extension to our motorsport production line. “Hankook is anticipating that V8SuperTourers will be an action-packed, exciting racing series and looks forward to a long involvement.”
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New Zealand’s new V8SuperTourer championship will run on tyres developed for the German-based DTM series.^ Back to top ^
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