Dynapro R213 deployed to prove technology in extreme conditions

The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team at the 2026 WRC Rally de Portugal. [Hankook Tire & Technology]
The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team at the 2026 WRC Rally de Portugal. [Hankook Tire & Technology]

Hankook Tire & Technology announced Thursday that the Greece Acropolis Rally, the eighth round of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship, is underway in the Loutraki area of Greece through June 28 (local time).

Known as the "Rally of the Gods," the Greece Acropolis Rally is one of the WRC's most demanding events, featuring rugged rocky terrain and high-temperature unpaved roads. This year the event has moved from its traditional base of Lamia to Loutraki, a coastal city on the Gulf of Corinth, and will cover 323 kilometers across 17 special stages.

Temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius and rock-strewn gravel roads place extreme demands on grip and durability. Because each stage is driven twice, the first pass calls for stability on loose gravel while the second requires tires tough enough to withstand exposed rocks and deeply rutted surfaces.

Hankook Tire is supplying its all-conditions rally tire, the Dynapro R213, for the event. The tire has been engineered with enhanced grip and durability to deliver consistent performance on rough unpaved surfaces and under high-load driving conditions.

The company is also fielding both hard and soft compound options, allowing teams to tailor their tire strategy to changing road conditions. Hankook Tire said it aims to demonstrate its high-performance tire technology by securing driving stability and steering responsiveness even in extreme environments.

At the previous round, Rally Japan, Elfyn Evans of the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team claimed victory to maintain his lead in the drivers' championship. Teammates Takamoto Katsuta and Oliver Solberg are also in contention near the top of the standings.

Hankook Tire has been the exclusive supplier of racing tires across all WRC classes since the 2025 season, feeding data gathered in motorsport back into its research and development operations to sharpen its high-performance tire technology.


eyre@heraldcorp.com