Third DTM Trophy season on Hankook race tyres comes to an end – Tim Heinemann is champion again

Neu-Isenburg, Germany, 12.10.2022 – Tim Heinemann won the DTM Trophy for the second time on Hankook race tyres at the Hockenheimring, having previously won the series in 2020. Sixth place in the penultimate race was sufficient for the 24-year-old to wrap up the title in his Toyota GR Supra GT4. He then ended the 2022 season in a manner worthy of a champion, winning the final race. Premium tyre maker Hankook has been exclusive tyre partner of the prestigious GT4 junior series since it was launched in 2020. During this time, it has helped talented youngsters take their first steps in GT racing with the tried-and-tested Ventus Race tyre.

This season’s DTM Trophy consisted of seven events, each featuring two races. With the help of the Hankook race tyre, the young drivers were able to gain valuable experience at such renowned racetracks as Imola, Spa-Francorchamps, and the Norisring street circuit in Nuremberg. Tim Heinemann made an ideal start to the season with two victories at the Lausitzring and, after a brief glitch in Imola, was soon back on track for success. “Only once this season did we not have a chance – in Italy. We learned our lesson and barely dropped a point after that.”

His record speaks for itself. With six wins from 14 races, the man from Fichtenberg ultimately won his second DTM Trophy title in commanding fashion, ending the season 47 points clear of BMW drivers Colin Caresani and Theo Oeverhaus. “From a racing perspective, this success was more competitive and tougher than 2020. However, that was my first championship, which made it very special,” said the driver from the Toyota Gazoo Racing Germany powered by Ring-Racing team.

Hankook the constant

One important factor was the race tyre provided by Hankook, on which Tim Heinemann also won the title in the inaugural season back in 2020. “The tyre is the contact point with the track, which makes it extremely important to understand it properly. As this was my third season on the Hankook tyre, I knew exactly how to get it up to the ideal temperature. That obviously helped a lot,” explains the two-time DTM Trophy champion.

Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe: “The DTM Trophy is getting stronger every year. It is the ideal platform for talented youngsters to establish themselves in GT racing and to continue their development. After a great season and his second title, Tim Heinemann has clearly staked a claim to move on to bigger things. Hankook is glad to be able to help promising young drivers to climb the career ladder. We are already looking forward to next season, in which the drivers and teams will once again be able to rely on the consistency of our Ventus Race and the expertise of the entire Hankook crew.”

Images courtesy of Hankook

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Hankook in MotorsportFor years, Hankook has been one of the first ports of call for high-end motorsport products. The premium tyre maker’s involvement in motor racing covers a broad spectrum. Hankook supplies its high-end products to world-renowned racing series, as well as high-class junior formats and popular grassroot events. The successful Ventus Race line of tyres is used at racetracks all over the world. Experienced Hankook engineers and their service crews are on site to help the teams get the best possible performance out of their cars on the Hankook race tyres. With new collaborations and partnerships, the company is constantly strengthening its status as a global player on the motorsport scene.

The portfolio of series supplied by Hankook includes the 24H Series powered by Hankook, which takes place in seven countries on three continents. With Hankook as exclusive tyre partner and title sponsor, this has developed into one of the strongest endurance series in the world. The premium tyre maker has also supported the W Series since it was launched in 2019. The FIA Formula series, which is reserved for female drivers, lines up on Hankook race tyres and features on the support programme for Formula 1. Hankook has also been a partner of the DTM Trophy from the word go, and has supplied the prestigious GT4 series with the internationally tried-and-tested Ventus Race tyre since the inaugural season in 2020. The involvement in motorsport also includes various Formula 4 formats, TCR series, one-make cups for a wide range of manufacturers, and assorted racing events.