Hankook sponsor, supplier of new Prototype Sprint Series

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hankook Tire America Corp. is expanding its involvement in motorsports again, agreeing to become the presenting sponsor and tire supplier of the Prototype Sprint Series Association, a new road-racing series for a range of prototype race cars originally built for other racing series that have since ceased operations.

Founded by Charlotte-based Parella Motorsports Holdings — the entity behind the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) — the new series has organized eight race weekends this year at well-known tracks across the U.S.

Races will be in a sprint format.

"This series will fill an important void and provide racers with another opportunity to get on track," Parella Motorsports CEO Tony Parella said. "Whether they're looking to race close to home for just a weekend or compete for a national championship — there will be a place for everyone."

Each race weekend will comprise a pair of 30-minute feature races, one each on Saturday and Sunday, the organizer said. Entrants will need a current SVRA Super License or equivalent to participate. The national champion will receive a $10,000 prize, in addition to several product awards.

Prototype racers from vehicle builders Ligier, Radical, Revolution and Wolf are eligible. Series rules mandate the use of Hankook racing tires.

As for Hankook's involvement in the Prototype Sprint Series, Danny von Dongen, chief operations officer for Hankook Motorsports, said: "We have great enthusiasm from our manufacturing partners, and we're certain that excitement will be matched by the competitors. This will be an excellent opportunity to showcase the capabilities of Hankook tires on some of the most iconic circuits in America"

The series plans to run three classes of prototype cars, based on power/speed potential: Category I will be open for Ligier LMP3, Radical RX (RXC, SR10 and SR8) and Revolution 500SC; Category II will include Radical SR3 1500 (R5) and Revolution 427; and Category III will include Radical SR3 1340 (R3).

Sports prototype racers are described as purpose-built closed-wheel race cars, typically mid-engined and either open or closed top, depending on the sanctioning body.

The series will debut March 23-26 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta near Braselton, Ga., and conclude Nov. 2-5 at Circuit of The Americas near Austin, Texas. Other tracks on the schedule are Sonoma Raceway (April 27-30); WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (May 4-7); Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (June 22-25); Road America (July 6-9); Virginia International Raceway (Oct. 5-8); and Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch (Oct. 20-22).

Parella Motorsports is a holding company that includes the wholly owned Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), Trans Am Racing Co. and Prototype Sprint Series Association (PSSA), as well holding commercial rights to Formula Regional Americas Championship Powered by Honda and Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda.

Hankook recently disclosed two other motorsports engagements with North American ties.

It secured spec-tire supply deals with Italian sports car manufacturer Lamborghini Squadra Corse for Lamborghini Super Trofeo single-make race series and with Master Class of Racing (MCoR), a newly formed sanctioning entity focused on grassroots road racing,

These are in addition to parent company Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd.'s status as the tire supplier for the ABB Formula E World Championship for electric-powered single-seat, open-wheel formula cars.