24Hr Series powered by Hankook kicks off with the 16th staging of the endurance classic in Dubai

Asis tradition, this season’s 24H Series powered by Hankook gets underway thisweekend with the 24-hour classic in Dubai, which also forms the opening eventof the 2021 international endurance racing season. At 15:00 local time on 15thJanuary, 54 cars from twelve manufacturers will line up at Dubai Autodrome, asover 250 drivers from 33 countries do battle for the prestigious victory andvaluable points towards the overall standings in the GT and TCR divisions.

Premiumtyre maker Hankook took on the role of title sponsor and exclusive tyresupplier of the 24H series in 2014, since when it has provided all competitorswith a consistently high quality for all car types, courtesy of the high-endVentus Race tyre. The premium tyre maker’s preparations for the opening roundof the 2021 season in Dubai started last November, when the slicks and wettyres were loaded onto ships in containers and sent on the long voyage to Dubai.

Neu-Isenburg, Germany, 14.01.2021 – As in previous years, the 16th edition of theendurance classic in the United Arab Emirates has proven to be a majorlogistical challenge for Hankook. Thousands of race tyres were loaded ontocontainer ships and shipped to the port of Dubai, from where they were taken bytruck to the racetrack in the Dubai Motorcity district. Manfred Sandbichler,Hankook Motorsport Director Europe: "Planning has to be perfect for overseasraces like the one in Dubai, because you cannot correct anything later. InEurope, where the tyres are transported straight from the warehouse by truck,you have greater flexibility."

The Ventus Race has beenproduced in various different sizes to fit all the models of car in the 24HSeries. 30 mechanics work in the Hankook garages at Dubai Autodrome to fit thetyres onto the rims of the GT and TCR cars. "Safety takes top priority for us.The drivers must be able to rely on the Hankook race tyres in any conditions. Wealso place great importance on providing all the starters with the sameconsistently high quality with every set of tyres."

The Hankook engineers record the tyretemperature, air pressure and camber. They analyse this data and support therace teams on-site with their accumulated knowledge. However, even the Hankookexperts were powerless last January, when heavy rain caused the season-openerin Dubai to be suspended after seven hours. "We had torrential rain, I havenever seen anything like it in the desert. The drivers did all they could onthe Hankook wet tyre, but the pit lane and the start/finish straight werecompletely under water. You would have needed a boat, both at the circuit andin the city. Unfortunately, that is not something Hankook produces yet," saidManfred Sandbichler.

The opening race in Dubai is followed by afurther seven events in the 24H Series powered by Hankook. This season’sschedule for the renowned international endurance series comprises four 12-hourand four 24-hour races, which are held in seven countries on three continents. Thecalendar features iconic racetracks like Mugello and Portimão, which hostedFormula 1 races for the first time last year, as well as circuits that havehosted the pinnacle of motor racing for many years: Spa-Francorchamps,Barcelona and Hockenheim. It also includes the Coppa Florio race in Sicily.

Manfred Sandbichler: "The organiser, Creventic,has once again put together a great season, which reaches a worthy conclusionwith the 24-hour race in Sebring in November. However, we are focussing on theopening round in Dubai, where we will provide all the teams and competitorswith best support possible, courtesy of the usual high quality of our Hankookrace tyre and a perfect service at the circuit. The trustful partnership withCreventic, which goes beyond pure business, plays an important role. We areable to manage many things quickly and amicably – something that is worth itsweight in gold at major motorsport events."