Hankook Tire has confirmed the 2026 season of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series will commence with its opening round in Florida from 18 to 20 March 2026. As the exclusive tyre supplier for this international championship organised by Italian supercar manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., Hankook will equip all competing Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 cars with its ultra-high-performance Ventus racing tyre. This partnership, established in 2023, continues to see the Ventus tyre support Lamborghini vehicles under extreme conditions, withstanding speeds approaching 300 kmph while delivering exceptional grip, handling and durability across varied global climates.

The opening event, part of the North American series, is set to take place at the challenging Sebring International Raceway. This 6.0-kilometre circuit, constructed on the grounds of Hendricks Field Airport, presents unique difficulties with its combination of dedicated racetrack sections, airport runways and taxiways. The track surface itself adds another layer of complexity; concrete sections in particular place immense stress on tyres and become notably slippery when wet. Furthermore, the intense Florida sun can dramatically elevate track temperatures, making strategic tyre management a critical factor that could very well decide the race's outcome.

Despite these demanding conditions, the Ventus tyre is expected to perform reliably, showcasing Hankook’s advanced motorsports technology. Its robust construction provides the necessary heat resistance and stability for high-speed racing, reinforcing the global premium status of the Hankook brand through this strong collaboration with Lamborghini.

The 2026 Lamborghini Super Trofeo season will feature three continental series spanning North America, Europe and Asia, encompassing 10 countries and six rounds each. A key highlight for local fans is Round 4 of the Asia series, scheduled for 17 to 19 July 2026 at Inje Speedium in Gangwon Province. Following the conclusion of the regional championships, the top competitors will gather in Italy for the Grand Final from 24 to 25 October, where the ultimate world champion will be crowned.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), has reinforced its technical support for the sixth round of the 2026 season, the Vodafone Rally de Portugal, being held from 7 to 10 May in Matosinhos in the country’s northern region. The company is supplying its extreme all-terrain Dynapro R213 tyre, engineered for gravel stability, which is available in both Hard and Soft compound options. This tyre features a high-strength casing and an optimised tread pattern designed to disperse impact from sharp rocks and maintain grip even under high-speed, high-stress driving conditions.

As one of the most historic fixtures on the WRC calendar, Rally de Portugal has been a cornerstone event since the championship’s inaugural season in 1973. The 2026 edition is based at the Exponor service park near Porto and includes 23 special stages with a total competitive distance of roughly 345 kilometres. The route blends fast-paced sections with technically demanding areas, challenging crews with a soft, sandy gravel surface that deteriorates rapidly as cars make repeated passes. While the first run demands stable performance on limited grip, the second pass exposes deeper ruts and sharper rocks, making tyre durability and handling decisive.

A particular focus is the Amarante stage, the longest of the rally at approximately 26 kilometres, which features a mix of tight hairpin turns and high-speed straights. Drivers must carefully balance aggressive tactics with tyre preservation, placing a premium on strategic decision-making. The Dynapro R213’s two-compound system allows teams to adapt flexibly to evolving stage conditions, with the Hard compound offering resilience against cuts and the Soft compound providing extra mechanical grip on looser surfaces.

Beyond technical support, Hankook is operating its ‘Brand World’ booth inside the service park throughout the event. This interactive space aims to elevate the premium image of the global brand with a motorsport heritage exhibition, racing simulators, branded merchandise and dedicated photo zones. Visitors are offered an immersive brand experience that complements the intense competition, as Hankook continues to demonstrate its engineering capabilities across one of the most abrasive and unpredictable rallies on the WRC schedule.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp (Toyo Tires) launched the 2026 Championship Off-Road (COR) racing season with a dominant three-class victory sweep, led by drivers Johnny Greaves in Pro-4, Ryan Beat in Pro-2, and Wyatt Miller in Prospec. The opening weekend, held for the second straight year at the Show-Me Shootout on the 1.2-mile short course at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri, saw Beat’s Pro-2 truck run on off-the-shelf 35x12.50R17 Open Country C/T tyres, while Greaves relied on off-the-shelf 35x12.50R17 Toyo Open Country R/T Trail tyres for his Pro-4 win.

During Saturday’s round one, Ryan Beat in the number 51 Bilstein / Toyo Tires / Rockstar Energy / Chevrolet truck seized the lead on lap two and never gave it up, securing Team Toyo’s first Pro-2 victory of the 2026 campaign. The following day’s round two featured Johnny Greaves piloting the number 22 Monster Energy / Toyota / Toyo Tires Pro-4 truck to an early-season checkered flag, while reigning Prospec champion Wyatt Miller, in the number 73 Bass Pro Shops / Toyo Tires / Chevrolet entry, added another win to start his title defence.

With the season-opening weekend complete, the COR series now prepares for the Antigo Off-Road National scheduled for 29–31 May 2026 at the Langlade County Motorplex in Antigo, Wisconsin.

Greaves said, “It felt great to show up for the first race weekend and take a win, along with a third-place finish. It was a strong way to start the season.”

Beat said, “I’m super happy to kick off another season with a win! The team has been putting in the work, and it shows. As the series continues, tyres become the difference-maker, and our Toyos were dialled all weekend.”

Adrian Puente, Manager – Events, Motorsports and Technical, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp, said, “After an incredibly successful 2025 season, it’s great to see Team Toyo drivers in the winner’s circle on opening weekend in Wheatland. Wins across three classes on off-the-shelf Toyo tyres highlight the quality of our products and their championship-winning-pedigree.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Liberty Tire Recycling’s SmartMIX rubber asphalt additive (RMA) has taken centre stage as a key component as the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), alongside Alabama State Parks and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, was named a finalist in the Market Development Excellence category of the inaugural Circle of Change Awards launched by the Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF).

For its award-nominated project, Alabama State Parks selected Liberty Tire Recycling’s SmartMIX to resurface roads and parking areas at public parks. Unlike complex liquid modifiers, the SmartMIX additive from Liberty Tire Recycling offers a simpler, cost-effective solution that improves asphalt compaction, flexibility and overall durability. Manufactured entirely from recycled tyres, the material itself remains recyclable, helping Alabama’s project boost pavement longevity while generating steady, long-term demand for recycled tyre rubber.

The Tire Recycling Foundation launched this national recognition programme to honour efforts that create lasting, expandable demand for products derived from scrap tyres, integrating such materials into conventional infrastructure and public works. The award category recognises initiatives that embed recycled tyre materials into mainstream infrastructure and public works programmes.

Winners of the Circle of Change Awards, including the Market Development Excellence category, will be announced on 14 May 2026, during the Tire Recycling Conference Awards Luncheon in Denver, Colorado.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Infiniteria has appointed Proman as its Engineering, Procurement and Construction partner for a circular tyre recycling facility in Uddevalla, Sweden. This collaboration marks a decisive move towards establishing what the company describes as Europe’s leading circular tyre recycling business, with the Uddevalla site serving as the cornerstone for a future network of industrial-scale plants across the continent.

The company specialises in transforming end-of-life tyres into high-value recovered materials, aiming to accelerate the transition to a more resilient circular economy. The Uddevalla facility stands as Infiniteria’s flagship project and represents the initial phase of a broader European expansion strategy.

Committed offtake agreements are already in place with major customers including Preem, Nokian Tyres and Michelin, underscoring strong industrial demand for the recovered materials.

Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren, CEO, Infiniteria, said, “Bringing Proman on board as our partner is a major step forward for Uddevalla. They have a proven track record in delivering complex industrial plants, and the discipline and capability they bring mark a decisive step towards starting operations. We are fully committed to Uddevalla as the long-term home of our flagship facility, to our customers and to building Europe’s leading circular tyre recycling business.”

Francisco Carlos, Managing Director, Proman Portugal, said, “We appreciate the confidence and trust placed in Proman by Infiniteria as we take on the role of Engineering, Procurement and Construction partner in the Uddevalla project. Proman brings strong global expertise and experience to the project, including project management, engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of complex industrial facilities. We look forward to working with Infiniteria to progress the Uddevalla project towards successful completion.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!