NEU-ISENBURG, Germany — Italian sports car manufacturer Lamborghini Squadra Corse has selected Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd. to be the designated tire supplier of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo, a single-make race series featuring the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2.
The Super Trofeo actually is three racing series running concurrently — in Europe, North America and Asia — under the same set of rules and using identically prepared Huracán models before the separate series' top finishers gather for a Grand Finale event in Italy.
Lamborghini's partnership with Hankook replaces one the Italian car maker had with Pirelli Motorsports since the series inception in 2009. Neither financial terms nor length of the new deal were disclosed.
"We are excited to start this new collaboration together with a technical partner as experienced and valuable as Hankook. I'm sure that the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Platform is the first step in our long-term journey and one which will bring us strong results for both parties," Giorgio Sanna, head of Lamborghini Motorsport, said.
In line with the new partnership, Hankook developed a new version of its Ventus high-performance race tire line tailored to the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2 racing car and to the varying track conditions at circuits on four continents.
The new tire's medium compound provides a high level of grip and maximum consistency in all conditions and at all race tracks, Hankook said.
Hankook will also provide technical support at the race tracks, while Hankook engineers and mechanics will be on site to assist the drivers and teams.
"The partnership with Lamborghini Super Trofeo sees Hankook add a big name and three exciting series to its portfolio in international motorsport – another step that will further enhance our premium brand in 2023 and beyond," Sanghoon Lee, president of Hankook Tire Europe, said.
The Trofeo series in Europe comprises six race weekends, starting May 5-7 at Imola, Italy, and wrapping up Nov. 16-17 at Vallelunga, Italy.
The Trofeo series in North America also comprises five race weekends, starting May 12-14 at Laguna Seca, Calif., and wrapping up Sept. 15-17 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the leading season finishers travel to Vallelunga for the world finale.
The Trofeo series in Asia returns after a three-year hiatus and will run five race weekends, starting at Sepang, Malaysia, May 5-7 and concluding Sept. 8-10, before top finishers visit Vallelunaga for the world finale.
The Grand Final will take place in Vallelunga on Nov. 18-19. Competitors will take part in two 50-minute sprints to determine the overall Trofeo series winner for 2023.
"We are proud to be a partner of this high-class international racing series as Lamborghini celebrates its 60th anniversary, and are keen to expand this cooperation over the coming years," Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport director Europe, said: