28.02.2008 VICI Racing and Kumho Tire announce ALMS program

Miami, Fla. - VICI Racing and Kumho Tire are pleased to announce their participation in the 2008 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in a collaboration focusing on an innovative new tire development programme, which will center on the evolution of new compounds designed specifically for the GT2 class championship.

VICI Racing enter will a 2008-specification Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, starting at the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, with a second car joining the line-up later on. The most powerful race car based on the Porsche 911, which last year scored wins at the 24 hour races of Le Mans and Spa, the GT2 class win at Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, and an overall victory at the Nürburgring 24 hours, the 911 GT3 RSR competes in the GT2 class at international long distance races. The most distinguishing visual feature of the new GT3 RSR is the front end which received major improvements to the aerodynamics. The majority of innovations, however, are hidden under the weight-optimized body.

After making a name for itself in several disciplines of motorsport, including a class victory at Le Mans and participation in the gruelling Dakar Rally, Kumho Tire dipped its toe into the water of ALMS GT2 last year at Mid Ohio. Flushed with this experience, the company is now ready to press on in this tangent with a tire development program using ALMS GT2 as a focal point.

With more than two decades of sportscar racing experience, competing successfully at the top level behind them, including in GT and prototype categories, as well as a long term association with the most successful of all sportscar racing brands’, Porsche, VICI Racing is perfectly placed to partner Kumho Tire in this exciting and challenging new venture.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to work with VICI Racing and Porsche Motorsports,” said Rudy Consolacion, motorsports manager for Kumho Tire U.S.A. “Like Kumho, Porsche has a strong following amongst amateur racers because there are so many grassroots racers running Porsches in the Porsche Club of America, the Porsche Owners Club, NASA, SCCA and vintage racing. Porsche is the world’s leading producer of factory built race cars. The company has achieved success at every level of motorsports in which it has participated,” he said. “VICI Racing has been involved in sportscar racing for more than 20 years, and they bring a wealth of knowledge that will help us develop our GT2 tires.”

After earning an LMP2 class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last June, Kumho tested the GT2 waters at the Mid-Ohio ALMS race in July, supplying tires for a one-off effort for the Woodhouse Performance Dodge Viper. The car, team and tires all performed well, leaving Consolacion eager for a full-season effort in GT2. “The Viper was a great test for us, and we’ve had good success with our racing tires in Japanese Super GT,” notes Consolacion. “GT2 cars are harder on tires because they’re heavier than the prototype cars and they don’t make as much downforce. They rely on mechanical grip rather than aerodynamic grip so the tire really has to perform. We are eager to work closely with Porsche and VICI to develop a winning GT2 tire. GT2 is the most competitive class in the American Le Mans Series, so we’ll be making some radical changes that will put our tire technology at the leading edge. We won’t stand still.”

We’re delighted to announce this tire development program which will welcome Kumho Tire as a team partner,” says Ron C Meixner, VICI Racing President, the team founder who successfully raced sportscars at the top level.

“Kumho Tire fit perfectly with our strategic values. It is a young, very ambitious company, which has already achieved much success in the motorsport arenas it has tackled; and I have been thoroughly impressed with its focus, energy, and most of all, an overwhelming desire to win. This will be a very tough development project, undertaken right from the start through a full racing program, and will require total dedication and a will to succeed. With Kumho Tire I am completely satisfied we will achieve the project’s goals.”

VICI Racing in association with Kumho Tire will campaign a 2008-specification Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in the full American Le Mans Series, starting with the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring (12-15 March).

A second Porsche 911 GT3 RSR will be entered by VICI Racing after Sebring as part of the tire development program. The team is presently seeking drivers and sponsors for this car. Full details of all the teams’ pilots for 2008 will be announced shortly.

About Kumho Tire

Established in 1960, Kumho Tire Co., Inc., of Seoul, South Korea, had 2007 sales of $2.4 billion.  Kumho manufactures and distributes a complete line of tires for passenger cars, light trucks and heavy-duty trucks.  The company has manufacturing facilities in Korea and China, and operates technical centers in Birmingham, England, and Akron, Ohio. Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Kumho Tire U.S.A is the U.S. distribution arm of Kumho Tire Co.  In addition to its 830,000 square foot headquarters and central distribution facility in Rancho Cucamonga, the company operates four additional distribution facilities in Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus and Dallas.  For more information, visit the Kumho Web site at www.kumhotire.com

About VICI Racing

VICI Racing is a Miami, Florida-and Munich, Germany-based racing team with more than 20 years of experience competing at the topmost levels of international sportscar racing, in both GT and prototype categories, in Europe and the United States. VICI Racing is a wholly owned subsidiary of the VICI Group, which comprises of technology-led companies. VICI Racing roll call of wins includes GT victory in the Daytona 24 Hours. For more information visit www.viciracing.com
 

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