AKRON — Kenda Motorsports wants drivers to know its tires can go from cruising the streets to racing — and winning — on the track.
The company markets its tires as being "Podium2Pavement," and highlighting that ability is a big part of Kenda's racing strategy.
Kenda will compete in three series this year – Formula DRIFT, Championship Off-Road and Grand National Cross Country, with its Vezda PCR, Klever LTR and various UTV/ATV products.
In Formula DRIFT, drivers will race the new Vezda UHP MAX+ tires, with multiple sizes available for the best performance in the Pro Series. Kenda will introduce a new maximum performance summer UHP tire in the spring.
"The updated construction and tread compound provided for the new Vezda UHP MAX+ (200 AA A KR20A) will allow it to be an unbelievable tire in Formula DRIFT, SCCA autocross and spirited street driving," said Brandon Stotsenburg, vice president, automotive division, American Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd. "Competitors often have multiple tires to provide products in these venues, but Kenda provides a product that has exceptional dry and wet grip at very high temperatures, while providing strong wear at a value price."
In Championship Off-Road, Kenda is looking to build on recent success. In 2023, it won three series championships and three world champions, and last year Dylan Parsons won the 2024 Pro Spec series on Klever A/T2, Klever R/T and Klever M/T2 tires.
Kenda anticipates competing in multiple Championship Off-Road series in 2025, including Pro 4, Pro 2 and Pro Spec, Stotsenburg said.
Kenda has been the only brand with up to four product options for Championship Off-Road racers: Klever A/T2 in Metric and LT construction, Klever R/T and Klever M/T2.
"The Klever products continue to exhibit outstanding durability exceeding the racing competitors' expectations, while also providing traction in multiple sand, gravel and mud environments that translates directly to consumers who want top performance on-road and off-road," Stotsenburg said.
For Grand National Cross Country, Kenda Powersports will return to the off-road dirt bike and ATV racing series as title sponsor of GNCC Round 6: Kenda Powerline Park.
Walker Fowler, Yamaha factory rider and winningest ATV racer in GNCC history, will lead the 2025 Kenda team.
Explaining Kenda's racing strategy, Stotsenburg said the company only participates in open competition for PCR and LTR with DOT tires. Doing so demonstrates Kenda's performance and value versus competitors, and showcases technology used across Kenda's products in the toughest environments.
"We want to show our channel partners, our brand enthusiasts and our consumers that Kenda exceeds expectations when in direct comparison to other brands," Stotsenburg said.
