Kumho confirmed as new control tyre for TCR Australia

TCR Australia will align with the world’s top touring car classes this season, with Kumho becoming the control tyre supplier of the popular racing series on a multi-year deal.

In 2021, Kumho began developing a bespoke tyre for TCR competition and completed a comprehensive evaluation test and already supplies TCR Europe, TCR South America, TCR Brazil, TCR Spain, TCR Eastern Europe and TCR Denmark.

The announcement comes as TCR Australia prepares to host two rounds of the TCR World Tour, welcoming the globe’s best touring car drivers down under for the first time in more than two decades. The Bathurst International has already been confirmed as one Australian round of the TCR World Tour, with another venue to be announced.

Ben McMellan, Head of Category Operations, Australian Racing Group said: “This was an important step for TCR Australia to make to fall in line with other major TCR categories around the world. Switching to Kumho means our drivers will have exactly the same compound and construction of tyre that the TCR World Tour teams will be using when they race here later this year. It also means that if our drivers or teams want to compete internationally, they are likely to have the same level of tyre knowledge.”

Rene Quintaneiro

CEO, Race Tyres International added: “It is fantastic to welcome TCR Australia to the Kumho tyre family. TCR has emerged as one of the powerhouse racing categories all around the world, and the work that ARG has done to make the Australia series one of the most competitive in the world is a real credit to their crew and teams. We have had great feedback from all TCR categories around the Kumho racing tyre and we are looking forward to getting the first batches down to Australia.”

Picture: TCR Europe