Sponsorship at US PPIHC race

High-performance tire technology on display

'Expanding brand touchpoints with motorsport fans'

A vehicle fitted with Kumho Tire's Ecsta V730 competes in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. [Kumho Tire]
A vehicle fitted with Kumho Tire's Ecsta V730 competes in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. [Kumho Tire]

All six drivers sponsored by Kumho Tire successfully completed the 104th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), held June 21 in Colorado, the company announced Thursday.

This year, Kumho Tire launched its first rookie driver development initiative — the Kumho Tire Gaining Traction Program — co-organized with the PPIHC organizers. The program was designed to identify and support promising drivers based in Colorado with five or fewer years of PPIHC competition experience. Selected drivers receive tire support and other assistance, along with the opportunity to compete on a world-class motorsport stage.

The four drivers sponsored through the program were Matus Huska, Earl O'Malley, Ernie Ramirez and Ben Ryan. All four completed the grueling 19.99-kilometer course rising to a summit elevation of 4,302 meters above sea level without incident. Two Colorado-based father-and-son drivers who have received Kumho Tire's support since last year also finished the race.

Every vehicle Kumho Tire sponsored at the event was fitted with the Ecsta V730, the company's flagship ultra-high-performance tire developed on technology accumulated across domestic and international motorsport competitions. The tire features a high-performance EMC and a reinforced block design that deliver superior grip and stable handling even at high speeds.

Ahead of the race, Kumho Tire conducted on-site marketing activities at the PPIHC Fan Fest, the official pre-event held June 19. The company displayed four vehicles entered in the Kumho Gaining Traction Program and hosted a sponsored-driver autograph session, giving fans a chance to engage directly with the team.

"It is very meaningful that all the rookie drivers selected through the Kumho Tire Gaining Traction Program, which we ran for the first time this year, completed the course," said Yoon Min-seok, executive vice president of global marketing at Kumho Tire. "Going forward, we will continue to support next-generation motorsport talent while further strengthening our competitiveness as a performance brand, drawing on the technology we have built through diverse global motorsport activities."

Meanwhile, Kumho Tire is broadening its brand touchpoints through a range of motorsport activities. At the Hyundai N Festival Gran Turismo eN1 Class Round 2, held June 20-21 at Korea International Circuit in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, the company's sponsored teams — Kumho SL Motorsport and Wens Inje Podium Racing — turned in strong results.


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