Drivers have given universal praise for Kumho’s R800 rally tyres after round two of the Australian Rally Championship, the Forest Rally in Western Australia.
Rally winner Scott Pedder shattered several stage records using the Kumho R800 gravel rally tyres across the two-day rally in the forests around Nannup near Busselton south of Perth. The Mitsubishi mounted Pedder chose the medium compound Kumho R800s which turned out to be the correct choice giving excellent turn in and grip in the difficult conditions.
Pedder was quick to praise the Kumho tyres, which helped deliver him victory in WA adding to his win on tarmac in Tasmania in February.
“Awesome performance, these tyres are fantastic, they have given excellent grip and predictable handling in some very tough conditions, they were very impressive,” said Pedder. “I think I was about the only driver to suffer a puncture and that wasn’t the tyre’s fault, the reliability was superb,”
The WA round of the ARC was marked by rocky conditions on many stages after heavy rain early in the week prior to the rally churned up many of the forest roads and made conditions difficult.
“You really couldn’t fault the Kumhos that took everything thrown at them and proved extremely fast as the stage records clearly illustrate,” said Scott.
“It is fair to say there were some teething problems with the tarmac tyres in Tasmania at the opening round but after this performance Kumho has to be congratulated for providing such fantastic rubber for all the competitors, “ he added.
Pedder beat home reigning Australian champion Simon Evans winning eight of the 18 special stages on his way to securing maximum points. Evans also took six fastest stage times on his way to second place overall after gearbox problems on the final few stages slowed the Subaru driver.
Competitors in the Australian Rally Championship have a choice between three different types of tyre, the Kumho R900 for hard packed gravel, the R800 which is an asymmetrical design and aimed at loose gravel and the R700 which is a wet weather tyre designed for muddy conditions.
Each competitor is limited to 16 tyres for each ARC round with competitors having the ability to nominate tyre options in terms of compound and type before each ARC round.
The tyres are available in 205/65 x 15 for $231 each and are available to any rally competitor from club events to the ARC. “It is really a much more cost effective tyre for all competitors no matter which level they are at and will greatly benefit rally competitors from beginners to the top level,” said John Mills.
Kumho has also contributed financial support to rallying which will help regrow the sport and build a stronger competition into the future.