http://www.hankooktireusa.com

 

any word on pricing? (My guess would be that it comes in around the price of kuhmos)

 

Why, just because the tread pattern looks friggin IDENTICAL?


Matt

 

nah, I don't know anything about them. I do feel like Hankook has been trying to compete with Kumho - first the money they were throwing at the autocross guys, then this.

Kumho's advantage is Tire Rack. If buying a Hankook is as difficult as buying an RA-1, then they don't have much chance IMO.

 

Regardless, more money into the sport and more tire options is a very good thing.

 

a 16inch R tire i can use (215/40/16), sweet

 

lol. Email address goes to an AOL account. Can you say "Bush league"

 

I emailed the guy asking for a price list, his response was

"$125 full tread, $137 shaved. Same price as Kumho. Bob Vilven"

I think he was referring to the 205/50/15 size that the Miata Cup is using.

 

Welp ... nop 225/45/15. If any1 is already talking with them, mind asking if they plan to release that sise?

 

Better read this before you get to excited;

"WAYNE, N.J. (March 7, 2003)—With the goal of securing a higher share of the
ultra-high performance market, Hankook Tire America Corp. has introduced the
Ventus Z211 R-Compound racing tire. Designed in a joint effort between
Hankook’s research facilities in South Korea and its Akron Technical Center
in the U.S., the tire is designed to provide exceptional grip for racetrack
driving, Wayne-based Hankook said. R-compounds, referred to as “sticky”
compounds, were incorporated into the tire to provide the grip that racers
need. The tire has a UTQG rating of 50/AA/A. Hankook also is promoting the
tire’s grip on both wet and dry surfaces. The Ventus Z211 R-Compound is
designed and molded at 7/32-inch skid depth for wet traction, though it can
be shaved to a depth of 3/32 inches for a tighter grip on dry surfaces,
Hankook said. The tire is currently available in one size, 205/50ZR15, with
11 others in development ranging in size from 205/60VR13 to 335/35ZR17.
Hankook will supply the tire as the spec tire for the Sports Car Club of
America’s Mazda Miata North American Cup Series. Hankook last month entered
the U.S. road-racing arena when it was selected as the spec tire for the
racing venture. Hankook will provide the Ventus Z211 R-Compound racing tire
to all competitors in the series, which includes races on the East and West
coasts. “The development of the Ventus Z211 R-compound racing tire marks an
important development in our effort to capture a larger share of the high
performance market and in our drive to create products for the growing
racing enthusiast market,” said Young Moon Park, marketing manager at
Hankook."



[Modified by DB1-R81, 7:36 AM 3/17/2003]