Kumho Tire USA has announced a motorsports sponsorship in which it will become an Official Tire of Formula Drift and a sponsor of the Formula Drift Pro Championship. The tire maker is looking to enhance its visibility in the USA and highlight its technology through its ultra-high performance tire series.
As part of this collaboration, Kumho Tire will receive a “significant footprint” at each of the eight Formula Drift events in the 2024 series, including track signage and activation during race weekends. Kumho Tire will also feature in the race broadcast and Formula Drift’s digital marketing initiatives.
Furthermore, Kumho Tire will collaborate with three drivers as official tire sponsors for the 2024 Formula Drift season.
“I am extremely excited to represent the Kumho Tire USA brand and welcome them to our team. After my first test lap, I felt confident that this tire could beat out the competition and I wanted my team to be on it. The Ecsta V730 has the right compound to take our 1000hp ship to the moon,” said Jeff Jones, co-founder and CEO of HotPit Autofest and a professional driver who has been competing in the Formula Drift Pro Championship Series since 2009.
Formula Drift, now in its 21st season, is an official drifting series in North America and is not associated with the FIA series of formula racing championships.
“As an ‘Official Tire of Formula Drift’, this will provide a national footprint to elevate the brand in the United States, reaching millions of motorsport enthusiasts,” added Shawn Denlein, president of sales and marketing, Kumho Tire USA.
The 2024 Formula Drift schedule comprises eight races with live broadcasts available on multiple platforms such as Facebook and YouTube. The schedule includes events in Long Beach, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Orlando, Florida; Englishtown, New Jersey; St Louis, Missouri; Seattle, Washington; Grantsville, Utah; and Irwindale, California.
“We’re excited to welcome Kumho Tire USA to the Formula Drift family in 2024 and beyond. At this stage in the Formula Drift Championship, tires have never been as important as they are now and there is only a small select group of manufacturers who are willing to put their tires to the test at this level,” said Denlein. “Kumho has stepped up to take on that challenge.”
