It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that Hankook Tyre has been announced as the major naming rights sponsor for the 2014 Queensland Rally Championship (QRC). Queensland Hankook motorsport dealer, Alan Stean, of Z Cars, along with the Queensland Rally Advisory Panel Chairman, Paul Woodward, unveiled the partnership at a recent presentation night in Brisbane.
Championship spokesman, Paul Woodward, said: “The scene is set for the 2014 Hankook Tyre Queensland Rally Championship to be one of the most exciting and hotly contested battles we have seen in quite a long time. Every class and category is loaded with eager competitors ready to do battle and wanting to take out the challenging six round series.
"All classes from the overall QRC championship – 2WD, 4WD Unrestricted and the All-Comers - have sufficient numbers to make for a thrilling series that will certainly go all the way to the wire at the end of the year. We are extremely excited to have Hankook Tyre on board for the 2014 championship as it will certainly allow us to raise the bar of professionalism and safety to a whole new level.
“The sponsorship deal is a very positive move to promote the sport of rallying in Queensland. Alan, myself and the state Rally Advisory Panel have discussed a plan and vision to ensure everyone is a winner and benefits from the partnership," Woodward added.
"Hankook Tyre will obtain maximum exposure, the state championship will gain the high profile and stature it deserves and every competitor, at every level, will compete in events with an ever-increasing level of safety, infrastructure and equipment.”
Alan Stean is a well-respected and valuable asset to rallying in Queensland and this deal further bolsters that relationship. When asked about his motivation behind the sponsorship deal, Alan said: “While gaining exposure and increasing brand awareness for Hankook Tyre is certainly a key objective, being proactive towards increasing the level of safety at events was also part of the motivation.
"As part of the arrangement a portion of the sponsorship funds will be directed into increasing the level of safety and equipment at state rounds. I am very pleased to be working with the Queensland Rally Advisory Panel on this project and our long term outlook, plan and vision goes beyond 2014.”
The deal is not a control tyre arrangement and all competitors are free to use any brand they choose. It is certainly envisaged that competitors will show support and seriously consider running on Hankook tyres, not only for their superior quality, but for the competitive price Stean is offering Queensland state competitors. As an added incentive, there will be two Hankook Tyres put up as awards at each round. Any team running on Hankook Tyres will be eligible, and the winner will be determined by the highest placed competitor using Hankook Tyres.
Round one of the QRC, organised by the Brisbane Sporting Car Club, is set for March 8. The rally will based from Manumbar, with the bulk of the roads being run through the nearby and familiar Gallangowan forest. It is certainly shaping up to be a great start to a sensational series.
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