Kumho Tyres help McShea to historic class victory on Rally Ireland

Irish rally legend Niall McShea took his Kumho-shod Subaru Impreza WRX STi to outright victory in the Production Car Class of Rally Ireland, November 15-18. This was Kumho’s first win on a World Rally Championship event and completed a landmark year of motorsport for the burgeoning tyre manufacturer, who also won the LMP2 class at Le Mans in only its third visit to La Sarthe.

The choice of tyres was never more critical than on Rally Ireland, which drivers such as reigning World Champion Sebastian Loeb admitted was perhaps the most difficult they had ever competed in. The notoriously slippery roads were constantly covered in mud and it rained throughout the event. The resulting treacherous conditions put paid to many hopes, including those of Works Ford driver and former World Champion Marcus Gronholm.

Kumho supplied McShea and co-driver Marshall Clarke with a mix of its proven C03 and new TW02 tyres. In second place prior to the final leg, McShea’s challenge on class leader Armindo Araujo was so strong that the Portuguese lost control of his Mitsubishi in the tricky conditions and rolled out of the rally, leaving the popular Irishman to complete one of the most memorable wins of his distinguished career.

A delighted McShea said, “Kumho very kindly supported me in this rally and did an excellent job. I think I had an advantage with their tyres because they work so very well here in Ireland.”

Steve Thompson, Kumho’s European Motorsport Manager commented, “This rally was a major test for drivers, their cars and especially their tyres. We knew our C03 to be an excellent performer in such wet, slippery conditions, but were very pleased to find our new TW02 is capable of beating the best driver/tyre combinations in the world.”

For further information on Kumho and its products, log on to kumhotyre.co.uk.