24H Series Powered by Hankook begins its 2022 season

- The season includes seven rounds with the opening race flagged off in Dubai from January 13 to 15
- Tire performance holds the key to racing through challenging circuits for 24 hours without stops
- Hankook Tire has been the exclusive tire partner and title sponsor since 2015

Seoul, Korea, January 13, 2022 – The 2022 season of the 24H Series to which Hankook Tire exclusively supplies tires will begin its 11-month race with its opening round at Dubai Autodrome for three days from January 13 to 15. This year is Hankook’s eighth season as title sponsor and exclusive tire partner of the 24-hour classic.

The 24H Series Powered by Hankook is the world's largest endurance race in which premium supercars such as Porsche 991 GT3, Lamborghini Huracán, BMW M4 GT3, Mercedes-AMG GT3 and Audi R8 LMS GT3 run through challenging circuits for 24 hours without any stops.

This year’s renowned endurance racing series consists of seven rounds in seven countries on three continents. Four of these races are held over the marquee distance of 24 hours, with the remaining three over 12 hours. The season will start in Dubai, followed by Italy in March, Belgium in April, Germany in May, Portugal in July, Spain in September, and the United States in November. Roughly 80 race cars will battle it out for victories, positions and points in the GT and TCE classes. AtlasBX Motorsports team, sponsored by Hankook Tire, will also be participating in the Hankook 24H Dubai in GT4 Class with Mercedes-AMG GT4.

The opening round is set to be held at the 5.39km Dubai Autodrome circuit located in the middle of a desert. The circuit has 16 corners and is driven clockwise. The biggest challenge for the drivers and race tire is the desert sand, which is repeatedly blown onto the asphalt. This causes the cars to skid frequently, which puts greater strain on the running surface of tires. Occasional large difference between daytime and night-time temperatures also poses a challenge.

The Hankook crew, consisted of over 50 employees, will provide optimal on-site support for all the teams taking on the desert marathon with the tried-and-tested Ventus Race. With its high degree of consistency and predictability, the Ventus Race had overcome such challenges superbly in recent years and is an ideal partner for drivers. The high-end race tire is available as a standard compound in various different sizes, each in a slick and wet-weather version.

Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook Motorsport Director Europe, comments, “Hankook is proud to have supported the high-class 24H Series as title sponsor and exclusive tire partner for so many years. As in previous years, all the starters can depend on the perfect service provided by our Hankook team, as well as the strong performance of the Ventus Race. Our main focus is now on the 24-hour race in Dubai, which has developed into a top international motorsport event in recent years. The season-opener in Dubai is used by many teams to test new components and cars in competitive conditions. I expect a spectacular opening race, which will kick off an exciting season in the 24H Series, and I am looking forward to continuing the outstanding and trustworthy collaboration with the organizer Creventic.”

Ole Dorlemann, organizer Creventic, adds, “We are proud to have had Hankook on board as official tire supplier for eight years already. In the last two years, in which we have been confronted with many external challenges, Hankook has always proven to be a reliable and strong partner. We are pleased to be able to continue this partnership over the coming years. Hankook’s wealth of experience in endurance racing, and the committed and professional support it provides at each of our events, make Hankook one of the most important pillars within the framework of the 24H Series powered by Hankook.”

Hankook Tire has been the exclusive tire partner and the official title sponsor of the 24H SERIES since 2015, proving its global top-tier technology and premium brand value. The championship uses the official name of ‘24H Series Powered by Hankook' and all cars participating are equipped with Hankook racing tires.

Hankook Tire is currently supplying racing tires to over 70 global motorsports competitions or teams, which shows the company’s dedication to nurturing global motorsports culture. Hankook was also selected as the exclusive supplier and technical partner to the ABB FIA Formula E World Series from the 2022/23 season when the Gen3 racing cars are introduced to the world’s most prestigious electric vehicle racing competition.