Jean-Joseph wins again in France and Cole wraps up REIS Series French Gravel Rally Championship
Kumho is the first to admit that, until this season, it had never won a round of the French Gravel Championship, now it has triumphed on three in succession, courtesy of two-times European Rally Champion Simon Jean-Joseph and his co-driver Jack Boyère.
The latest success took place over the weekend of September 17/18, when the French series travelled across the border to Spain for the Rally Lloret de Mar Terres de Catalunya, a new venue on the calendar. Driving his Peugeot 207 Super 2000 prepared by 2C Competition, Jean-Joseph set the pace on all eight of the first day's stages. A second good day's work saw him run out overall victor of the event, 1' 35" ahead of Manu Gascou. As a result, Jean-Joseph and Gascou are now tied for the Championship lead. The next round is the Rallye Terre des Cardabelles on October 8/9.
Said Kumho's European Motorsport Manager, Steve Thompson: "Three consecutive victories are strong testament to the performance and durability of our R900 gravel rally tyres, and Jean-Joseph is the first to recognise the part they have played in these results. It is very rewarding to be directly involved in the return to form of such a great driver."
REIS MSA Asphalt Rally Championship
Damian Cole and co-driver James Morgan have won the 2011 REIS MSA Asphalt Rally Championship with their immaculate Kumho-shod Ford Focus WRC. They clinched the series with one round to go by achieving outright victory on last weekend's (September 25) Patriot Stages event. The only team that could have beaten them to the title was the Escort pairing of Simon Mauger and Brian Cammack, but they ground to a halt during the latter stages of the rally with a broken throttle return spring. This is the second consecutive REIS title for 'King' Cole and Kumho.
Commented Steve Thompson: "We are delighted for Damian and James who have used our tarmac rally tyres to such good effect two years in a row. We wish them all the best for the final round of the series which, no doubt, they will wish to add to their already long list of wins."
Kumho‑shod cars fill the first three places
Should the Woodpecker Stages Rally ever be renamed, the Andy Burton Rally would seem the obvious moniker to choose, as last Saturday (September 3) the Herefordshire farmer won the event for an historic 10th time.
This is proving quite a season for Burton, who had already clinched the 2011 BTRDA Rally Championship and, in doing so, become the first person in the 58‑year history of the series to win the title four times. Such successes are particularly poignant for Burton and his Presteigne‑based co‑driver Robin Kellard, as their all‑conquering Kumho‑shod Peugeot‑Cosworth is being forcibly retired at the end of the season due to a change in regulations.
The team didn't have things all their own way on the popular 130‑car Woodpecker event, though, and it was another Kumho equipe - Roger Chilman and Andrew Sankey in their Subaru Impreza WRC - who led the rally for the first three stages. Once some early overheating problems were resolved, however, Burton was able to ease the mighty Peugeot‑Cosworth to the fore and eventually running out 40 seconds clear of the Chilman/Sankey pairing. Just 33 seconds behind them was yet another Kumho duo - former National Gravel Champion Roger Duckworth and his co‑driver Shaun O'Gorman; also Impreza WRC‑mounted.
Commenting on the results, Kumho's European Motorsport Manager Steve Thompson said: "This is obviously a very pleasing result for us in what is proving to be something of a vintage year for Kumho on both stage and track. The ultimate beneficiaries are our road tyre customers, however, who get to buy products developed in the heat of competition."
A second Kumho driver secures Silverstone Tyres BTRDA title
Burton secured his BTRDA Gold Star title back in July, when there were two rounds of the series left to run. Now, with one rally still remaining, Warren Philliskirk has clinched the BTRDA Historic Cup. Having fought a season‑long battle with the Welsh pairing of Terry Brown and Tomos Whittle, Philliskirk and co‑driver Matt Whattam emerged victorious from another titanic struggle on the Woodpecker Rally to claim the title with their Kumho‑shod Ford Escort MKII.
Driving a Kumho-shod Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, County Fermanagh driver Garry Jennings and his Letterkenny co-driver Rory Kennedy achieved a start to finish victory on the recent (August 19/20) Rally NI. The event was a division of the Todds Leap Ulster Rally that counts towards the Dulux Trade British Rally Championship, plus the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship that the pairing is contesting.
Jennings was on the pace immediately to win the first of the 14 stages, while others around him were running into trouble - these included expected front runner Elfyn Evans, who immediately dropped to 32nd overall following a puncture. Jennings' Kumho tyres were more resilient, however, and he maintained his lead throughout the 127 mile event, despite the constantly changeable conditions; eventually beating the second placed duo of Martin McCormack/David Moynihan (factory-backed Citroen DS3 R3) by 17.7 seconds.
Commenting on Jennings' well judged victory, Kumho Motorsport UK's Technical Manager Mark Hamnett said, "We have a good history of results on Irish soil and it was rewarding to see Garry's Kumho tyres remaining puncture free and coping so well with the typically wet and changeable conditions."
Damian Cole was supposed to be on a family holiday in Devon at the time of the Tyneside Stages Rally (July 31), but when you're increasingly well placed to win the REIS MSA Asphalt Rally Championship for the second year in a row, you don't let a little matter like that prevent you from getting behind the wheel! The effort brought due reward too, with Cole and co-driver James Morgan winning the event outright in their Ford Focus WRC and becoming the first pairing of 2011 to achieve two maximum scores.
Putting his Kumho tarmac rally tyres to optimum use, Cole enjoyed a day-long battle with last year's Tyneside winners Simon Mauger and Brian Cammack, and such was the closeness of the fight that the teams were level pegging after five of the nine stages. However, the Otterburn Ranges took their toll and Mauger's venerable MKII escort suffered a driveshaft failure during the penultimate test, leaving Cole to cruise to victory and further extend his championship lead with three rounds remaining.
Among others relying on Kumho rubber were the popular RAF Typhoon Rally Team of Chris Daykin and Dan Megannity. They arrived lying second in class for the championship, despite missing rounds due to key team members being on overseas operations, and left in the same position following another very solid performance in their Group N Subaru Impreza. The next round of the series is the Mewla National Rally that will take place on Sunday August 28.
Said Kumho's European Competition Manager Steve Thompson, "I'm sure Damian will enjoy his holiday all the more for winning the Tyneside rally and simultaneously lengthening his lead in the series. We look forward to joining forces with him again at the next event."
Peugeot RCZ Team Nokia is certainly enjoying a season of success in the Nürgurgring-based VLN race series. The sixth race of the 10 round championship (July 30) saw the pair of Kumho-shod 207 Coupes once more finish 1st and 2nd in class, while simultaneously dominating the diesel category; which they've made their own since the beginning of the season.
As usual, the equipe's white car (No. 545) was the star. Driven by the well practised trio of Michael Bohrer, Stéphane Cailliet and Jürgen Nett, it achieved pole position for the class in qualifying (courtesy of wet weather Kumho tyres) and was the first of the two Peugeots to cross the finish line in the race. In Caillet's capable hands, it even achieved a new fastest lap of 9:41.946 minutes for the model around the daunting 12.9 mile course. Firmer suspension and improved steering evidently helped bring about the improvement.
The delighted team manager, Timo Frings, was also quick to praise the achievement of the three Frenchmen aboard his black car, none of whom had previously competed at the Nürburgring and who had suffered a turbocharger problem in qualifying - they took the chequered flag two laps behind their team-mates. The next round of the series is a six hour race on August 27.
Commented Kumho's European Motorsport Manager Steve Thompson, "It is very rewarding to see the 207 RCZs winning time after time, and the team's cars working so well on our tyres whatever the conditions. We wish them all the very best for the remaining four rounds of the championship."
Less than three months ago, two-times European Rally Champion Simon Jean-Joseph delighted his many fans with a decisive victory in the Terre De l'Auxerrois rally after two and half years away from the sport. Now he's won again. Once more partnered by his long-standing co-driver Jack Boyère, he achieved outright victory in last weekend's (July 23/24) Rallye Terre De Langres at the wheel of a Kumho-shod Peugeot 207 S2000.
If anything, the latest win is even more impressive than the first, as his S2000 car was at a severe power disadvantage when compared to the many WRC ones competing on the event. He lay third after the muddy stages of the Saturday, 27 seconds behind the leader, but made full use of his Kumho R900 gravel tyres the following day to take victory on all four remaining stages and therefore the rally itself, ending up 17.8 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.
Now lying third overall in the championship, a mere four points behind the leader, Jean-Joseph said: "I am very pleased to begin my collaboration with the 2C Competition team in this way and proud to achieve another victory for my tyre supplier Kumho. Winning with the Peugeot 207 Super 2000 is also very rewarding, as I promoted this model whilst working for Peugeot Sport and have long since been convinced of its potential."
Commenting on yet another 2011 success for his department, Kumho's European Competition Manager Steve Thompson remarked: "It is great to have the feedback of somebody of Simon's standing in the sport; also to see our Kumho tyres working so well, not only on his Peugeot 207 but also the Peugeot 206 of Jean-Luc Taormina /Vincent Groulier (class F2000/14), Citroen C2 of David Gérard/Damien Jolé (class F2000/13) and Suzuki Swift of Sébastien Guibert/Valentin Sarreaud (class N2), all of which were victorious in their respective categories."
Andy Burton and Robin Kellard have clinched the Silverstone Tyres BTRDA Rally Series of 2011 with two rounds still remaining, having finished a fighting third overall on last weekend's Nicky Grist Quinton Stages event. Being Gold Star Champion this year will be particularly memorable for Burton, who is being forced to retire his iconic, Kumho-shod Peugeot-Cosworth at the end of the season, due to a change in regulations.
The team entered the Quinton Stages with hopes of sealing the series with their fourth outright victory of the year, but it was not to be. Slightly off the pace on this occasion, they were pushed down the order by Charlie Payne and Craig Thorley (Focus WRC), and Roger Chilman and Andrew Sankey (Impreza WRC) - the latter were another couple competing on Kumho tyres. However, having dropped just six points in six rounds, the Peugeot pairing are still now unbeatable in the championship, which counts competitors' six best scores from the eight events. The seventh and penultimate round of the series is the Woodpecker Stages event on September 3.
Said Steve Thompson, Kumho's European Motorsport Manager, "We are delighted to have played a key role in Andy and Robin's very successful season. Our tyres have clearly worked very well on their famous Peugeot-Cosworth and, along with spectators up and down the country, we are very sorry to see it heading for an arguably premature but well-earned retirement."
'Team Peugeot RCZ Nokia' that has dominated the diesel class of the four and six-hour races of the Nürburgring–based VLN series, proved it has staying power as well as speed by achieving a dominant class victory in last weekend's 24 hour event at the incomparable German circuit.
Following the loss of its black-coloured sister car to an accident some three and half hours into the race, the white RCZ of Michael Bohrer, Stéphane Caillet, Jürgen Nett and Alexandre Premat assumed the class lead and eventually claimed victory by no less than three laps, having covered 2061.96 miles at an average speed of 85.87 mph.
Delighted to achieve its season-long ambition of success in this much-vaunted annual marathon, the team was quick to recognise the fundamental role of its Kumho tyres - slick, intermediate and full wet versions all of which were employed during the event. Making the right tyre choice throughout was, of course, a crucial element and the knowledgeable technical support of Mark Hamnett (Kumho's European Motorsport Division) and JT Kim (Kumho's R&D Centre) undoubtedly aided the success.
The unique statistics of the 39th Nürburgring 24-hour race include the number of:
Remarked Kumho's European Motorsport Manager Steve Thompson, "This was a memorable result for this ever-improving team and ourselves – it is very rewarding to see our tyres working in such obvious harmony with a race car, come rain or shine. We now look forward to assisting the Peugeots to further success in the remaining VLN races and, hopefully, continuing their dominance of the diesel class. The next event is on July 30."
Dukeries Rally - a win and three cars in the top five
Andy Burton furthered his lead in the Silverstone Tyres BTRDA Rally Series last weekend (June 11) courtesy of a fourth career victory in the Dukeries Rally. The familiar Kumho-shod Peugeot Cosworth of Burton and co-driver Robin Kellard finished the event 24 seconds clear of the Ford Focus WRC of defending BTRDA Gold Star Champions Steve Perez and Paul Spooner. Other cars wearing Kumho rubber included the Subaru Impreza of Roger Chilman and Andrew Sankey (4th overall) and the Mitsubishi Evo 9 of David Wright and Michael Wilkinson (5th overall). The fifth of the eight round BTRDA Series, the Quinton Stages Rally, takes place on July 9.
Kumho slicks help create a new F3 lap record in Austria
Rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the hotly-contested 2011 Formula 3 Euro Series were staged at the newly opened Red Bull Ring at Spielberg, Styria on June 4/5. Originally called the Österreichring and home to the late Austrian Grand Prix, the rebuilt circuit saw a hat-trick of victories fall to the Prema Powerteam – two to Spaniard Roberto Merhi and one to his compatriot Daniel Juncadella. They now lie first and second respectively in the championship. The Series' Kumho control tyres are of a new construction this year and generally result in faster lap times than their predecessors. In a weekend of changeable conditions, the quickest lap (a new record) at this track was set in the first of the three races by Dutchman Nigel Melker of Mücke Motorsport in a time of 1.26.533 minutes.
'Team Peugeot RCZ Nokia' achieves third VLN class win
The dominant trio of Michael Bohrer, Stephane Caillet and Jürgen Nett achieved their third class win in the fifth round of the Nürgburing-based VLN Championship last weekend (June 11). They were assisted by Le Mans star Bruce Jouanny, who completed stints in both their white RCZ and the black-coloured sister car of Olivier Perez and Guillaume Roman, en route to qualifying for the upcoming 24 hour race. The white Kumho-shod Peugeot No.545 is not only the most successful diesel-powered car in the Series, but has now risen to a staggering 12th place overall among the 833 contestants.
Commenting on another week of success for Kumho's European Motorsport Division, its Manager Steve Thompson remarked, "It's very rewarding to find our tyres achieving regular success in many different areas of the sport. The research and development required can only serve to improve the design of Kumho's already very successful range of performance road tyres."
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The reigning REIS MSA Asphalt Rally Champion, Damian Cole, has put his campaign for the 2011 title back on track with a win in the third round of this year's series – the Jim Clark National Rally (May 27/28). Having finished second in the opening round but failing to finish the last one, he now sits joint fourth overall with 47 points and six events remaining.
After 120 stage miles the Ford Focus WRC of Cole and new co-driver James Morgan emerged victorious by just 5.2 seconds from the Subaru Impreza WRC of Steve Simpson and Patrick Walsh. Intermittent heavy rain showers made the going very tricky at times and tyre choice was a crucial element, as always – a regular Kumho runner, Cole's triumphant Ford Focus was shod with Kumho C03 rally covers throughout. The next event in the Series is the Rally of The Midlands on June 18/19.
Former champion returns in style
Another Kumho runner on the Jim Clark Rally was former National Rally Champion and Flixton mushroom farmer David Mann, who with Caerphilly co-driver Alun Cook was contesting the International section of the event (the fourth round of the Dulux Trade British Championship) in a Subaru Impreza – his first experience of Britain's premier rally series in over a decade. The pair achieved impressive progress, notching up half a dozen top 10 stage times en route to finishing eighth overall.
Equally quick to comment on the challenging weather conditions, Mann said, "There was an occasion where we put intermediate tyres on and the weather immediately dried up, so switched to slicks and it started to rain!" He spoke highly of his Impreza's Kumho C03 tyres, however, which kept him on the road throughout the 16 high-speed stages – a notable achievement in itself in a rally where less than a third of the entry made it to the finish.
Conspicuous by its prominent Kumho branding, Mann's Subaru was also the only top competitor not running on Pirelli rubber - a requirement of the Series. Rather than score championship points, the team's priority was, however, to use the event as a shakedown for the Ypres Rally round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge later this month, where they will once again be competing on Kumho tyres