Asian Motor Sports

Tie-up between ENDLESS and Mitsuhiro Kinoshita sees unveiling of Hankook Porsche

With a 47% share of the Republic Korean tire market, and ranked eighth in the world, Hankook Tire is that country’s major player. Hankook Tire and ENDLESS Sports have joined forces to create the ‘Hankook ENDLESS Porsche Team’, and are planning to take part in this year’s SUPER GT, competing in the GT300 class it was announced in Tokyo on February 23rd. The car is a Porsche 911 GT3RS, running on Hankook rubber. The first driver has been confirmed as Mitsuhiro Kinoshita. The team is presently searching for a second driver.

At the beginning of the announcement, Hankook Tire Motorsports representative and Vice President Mr Hyun-shik Cho and ENDLESS ADVANCE CO., LTD. President Mr Isao Hanazato officially launched the new team with the signing of official documents, inaugurating the new squad.

Hankook Tire Vice President Hyun-shik Cho:

“The reason we decided to take part in SUPER GT is because it provides some of the top-level racing in the world. We have prepared for this over many years. Last year alone, our tires took part in seven tests here in Japan.”

Also, our partners ENDLESS and Mitsuhiro Kinoshita have expert-level knowledge when it comes to racing, and we feel very fortunate to be working with them. In our aim for the best possible synergy, we will not be holding back in our support of the program. SUPER GT is the most popular series in Japan, and is known throughout the world. To compete here is a step toward our goal of greater global recognition and image-building for our brand.”

In addition, our goal is to develop highly efficient products through our participation in the series - that’s the direction we’re aiming at. The significance of participating in SUPER GT and with this team is, for us, very great. Our aim is to provide the best support possible to our partners. The logic behind choosing the Porsche is because not only in Japan, but in Korea and Europe as well, our aim is to provide the most highly-developed tires, and it is a car that is highly active in the world of GT racing.

The team has an ace with tire development driver Mitsuhiro Kinoshita:

“I am extremely honored to be involved in this project, participating in SUPER GT.

There is a certain amount of uneasiness regarding racing with the tire for the first time. However, after making the best use of my experience, I hope to improve the tire as I believe there is a high level of potential there. Our first aim is to win a prize, then follow that up with a podium, after that a win, and ultimately, take the championship. There is some hesitation too as it is a new program, although we remain ambitious. Further, we assume there has been testing of the Hankook tires. Our first aim will be to make advances in the Super Lap. Having said that, we believe we’ll have the necessary pace and we remain confident. One thing we don’t know is the level of our rivals as we haven’t run together yet.

It is unlikely we’ll be making the best use of the characteristics of the Porsche in the race, reaching our goal of a strong finishing position.” He said of the team’s plans this year.

Regarding another driver for the car, the name Yoshiyuki Nakamura has come up.
Team Manager: “We are examining it now. It will be tough for drivers this year with so much tire development work. We can’t choose just anyone; it has to be someone with the right skills for the job. This process will take time, please be patient.”