WAYNE, N.J. (Feb. 23, 2005) — Hankook Tire America Corp. has signed a three-year agreement to be the official title sponsor of the U.S. Touring Car Championship race series through 2007.
As part of the agreement, Hankook will supply its Ventus RSS Z211 R-Compound racing tires as the spec tires for the 2005 events. Hankook's logo will be prominent at each racing venue and on competitors' vehicles, the tire maker said.
The series, which features mostly stock sport compact sedans using 4- and 6-cylinder engines putting out about 170-250 horsepower, is organized by the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). Competitors may make some modifications, such as bigger brakes and/or aftermarket of shocks, springs and sway bars, provided they use factory suspension mounting points, according to NASA.
“It's our first major investment with a NASA-sanctioned series, and we're happy to be on board,” said Doug Reed, Hankook's motorsports programs manager.
Hankook replaces Toyo Tire U.S.A. Inc. as the series' official tire. The value of the contract was not disclosed.
The 2005 season features 13 races across the U.S., starting in April and running through the end of October. Created in 2000, the USTCC is open to close to 100 makes and models of sport compact sedans.