PHOTO: Private
Soon it will be time for the Swedish rally in Umeå.
Then there is a man that the world’s best rally drivers turn to.
– There is a racing devil in me, says 74-year-old Kenneth Hermansson, who is responsible for all studded tires from Hankook.
The Swedish rally is one of the finest institutions in sports Sweden and when it is decided again at the beginning of 2025, a paradigm shift will take place as the tire manufacturer Hankook will take over. The organizers want to see a higher and more even level for the teams as well as more cars that last and that will be achieved with the help of a rubber genius from Dalarna.
Been active for 40 years
Already in the 70s became Kenneth Hermansson interested in rally tires. At the time he was a rally driver himself but has since worked for 40 years with stud manufacturing and become one of the world’s most skilled.
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In his own tire workshop in Skamhed, outside Vansbro, Kenneth has created AB Herman Parts and thanks to his homemade studding machines, “Herman tires” have become world leaders. With the help of quick glue on the studs, he has revolutionized rally tires and obtained exclusive rights to the tires for all teams during the World Rally Championship.
From 2025 to 2027, South Korean Hankook has taken over the distribution for the WC circus in rallying and then of course they turn to Kenneth Hermansson in Skamhed.
– There is a competitive devil in me. To always bring out stuff that is constantly better than what the others have. That’s what drives me. To stay at the top of the world, so you must constantly be at the forefront and drive development, says Kenneth about the driving force.
15 hours per day
He is a perfectionist down to the tips of his fingers and has spent many thousands of hours in his workshop.
– It will probably be 14-15 hours per day. I have always had a patient wife and a rally-interested daughter (Jennie-Lee Hermansson, former rally driver). But the daughter can’t stand the glue, because it’s quite strong, so she’s never been in the workshop. I myself have become immune to the glue, says the dubbing genius who has no plans to retire.
– It’s like a drug. I can’t stop this. I was still just as happy when we tested with the WC drivers and they came back happy with the stuff.
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Hermansson has worked with rally sport’s greatest and late icon Colin McRae is one of those who drove with the Swede’s studded tires.
– He was absolutely wild in the car. And wild even outside. He rarely needed to test the tires but took the car as it was and just drove it. Carlos Sainz could test the tires for a day, but Colin McRae tested for only two hours and then he was done, says Kenneth in the interview.
The proudest moment in the 40 years of stud production was the Swedish rally in 1997.
– When Kenneth Eriksson won with Pirelli tyres. It was the first time ever that the Italians won in Sweden and the Pirelli guys wept with happiness. It required a bit of local knowledge to get the pace up, says the 74-year-old.
The Swedish Rally will be held February 13-16 in Umeå and it is the only pure winter race in the WC series. Kenneth Hermansson is not afraid of that challenge and of supplying Hankook tires to all drivers.
– There will be no difficulties. I’m looking forward to a real winter rally, because it’s easier with a winter rally. The tires last much better if there is snow and ice than if the gravel comes through, he admits.
– The goal is that there should be no worries and no problems. No breakdowns. In the past, there have been major problems with the tire manufacturers. Now they want a more even level and fewer crashes.
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