Kumho Tyres to Sponsor MSA British Rallycross Championship

The company’s contract will also see the introduction, for the first time, of a control tyre for the British championship’s Supercar and SuperModified categories. The British Rallycross Drivers Association (BRDA), which organises the MSA British Rallycross Championship has negotiated the deal under which Kumho tyres will become specified equipment.

BRDA chairman John Horton said, “Kumho will back the MSA British Rallycross Championship for the next three years and offer considerable financial and promotional support. This partnership with Kumho will bring stability to the BRC and the resources to promote the championship to a wider audience.”

Steve Thompson, Kumho’s European motorsport manager, added, “Kumho is delighted to have this agreement with the BRDA to support the MSA British Rallycross Championship for the next three years. We look forward to working with the BRDA and all the competitors to promote this championship in a positive manner. We see rallycross as an exciting form of motorsport through which we can promote our brand to a new audience.”

The first opportunity drivers have to evaluate the tyres comes courtesy of a pre-season test session on Mar. 31. The first round of the Kumho Tyres MSA British Rallycross Championship takes place at Lydden on Easter Monday (Apr. 9).

The 2007 Kumho Tyres MSA BRC will be run over eight rounds, all of which will be televised and broadcast on British and European channels. All rounds of this year’s BRC will also be listed on the FIA calendar, which will enable European competitors to take part in the championship.

The Kumho sponsored MSA British Rallycross Championship is a separate event to the MSA British Rally Championship, as reported by Tyres & Accessories in January 2007, for which Pirelli has been selected as the control tyre for the 2007-09 seasons.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has named Ryan Waldron as president of the company's Americas business unit, reporting to Chief Executive Officer and President Mark Stewart. He succeeds Steven R. McClellan, who retired on April 1.

"At Goodyear, our customers are at the center of everything we do, and in Ryan Waldron, we have a customer-centric, execution-focused business leader with a deep understanding of both the marketplace and all aspects of our business, as well as a proven track record of delivering results," Stewart said. "I am thrilled to announce him as president of Goodyear's Americas business and have enormous confidence that under his leadership, both the company and our customers will reach even greater levels of success."