Kumho Tyres backs brc British Rallycross Championship

Kumho Tyres will be the title sponsor of the brc British Rallycross Championship for the next three years. The company’s contract will also see the introduction, for the first time, of a control tyre for the British championship’s Supercar and SuperModified categories.

The British Rallycross Divers Association (BRDA), which organises the brc British Rallycross Championship has negotiated the deal under which Kumho tyres will become specified equipment.

BRDA Chairman John Horton said: “Kumho will back the brc British Rallycross Championship for the next three years and offer considerable financial and promotional support. This partnership with Kumho will bring stability to the BRC and the resources to promote the championship to a wider audience.”

Steve Thompson, Kumho’s European Motorsport Manager said: “Kumho is delighted to have this agreement with the BRDA to support the brc British Rallycross Championship for the next three years. We look forward to working with the BRDA and all the competitors to promote this championship in a positive manner. We see rallycross as an exciting form of motorsport through which we can promote our brand to a new audience.”

Championship contenders will have the chance to evaluate the tyres in a pre-season test session to be run on March 31. The first round of the Kumho Tyres brc British Rallycross Championship takes place at Lydden on Easter Monday (April 9).

The opening round of the championship features the Tonhire.com 40th Anniversary Rallycross. The first Rallycross event was run at Lydden on February 4 1967 and was won by Vic Elford driving a Porsche 911. Lydden’s traditional Easter Monday Rallycross has been chosen for the celebration to ensure the anniversary is marked by a top class event at the 'home of Rallycross'. The event will include a Classic Rallycross category as well as static displays of classic competition cars. Star drivers and celebrities from the first 40 years of Rallycross are also being invited to attend the event.

The BRDA will promote the Kumho Tyres brc British Rallycross Championship and the Tonhire.com 40th Anniversary Rallycross when it takes part in Race Retro at Stoneleigh Park (Coventry) on March 23-25. The BRDA’s Rallycross exhibit will feature the Porsche 911 used by Elford to win the first event, the ‘original’ Xtrac Escort in which Martin Schanche won the 1984 FIA European Rallycross Championship and Ben Rennison’s Junior Rallycross Mini.

The 2007 Kumho Tyres brc British Rallycross Championship (BRC) will be run over eight rounds, all of which will be televised and broadcast on British and European channels. All rounds of this year’s BRC will also be listed on the FIA calendar which will enable European competitors to take part in the championship.
The BRC will again be supported by the Bill Gwynne Rallyschool International Junior Rallycross Championship which features in all eight events. The BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship is on the programme for the seven events on the British mainland.

2007 Kumho Tyres brc British Rallycross Championship
Mon. Apr 9 Lydden
Mon. May 7 Pembrey
Mon. May 28 Lydden
Sun. Jul 1 Pembrey
Sun. Aug 5 Knockhill
Mon. Aug 27 Lydden
Sun. Oct 14 Mondello Park (IRL)
Sun. Oct 21 Croft