PHOTO: Hankook press photo
All Swedish motor lovers are longing for the big highlight of the year.
When the 75th Swedish rally is decided in Umeå in front of a large audience.
Now the new tire manufacturer Hankook comes with a clear promise to all blue and yellow motor lovers.
Ever since 1950, the Swedish Rally has been one of the great highlights of the sports calendar. It quickly became a strong tradition among the Swedes to get out into the woods and follow the rally drama from up close.
Swedish rally 75 years
For many decades, the world’s only winter rally has turned into a wonderful folk festival with at most 200,000 spectators on site and over 100 million television viewers around the world. In February 2025, it will be time again and then the Swedish rally will celebrate 75 years.
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A welcome news for the rally competition which is decided in Umeå is that the tire manufacturer Hankook has taken over as supplier for all World Rally Championship competitions. They take the challenge very seriously and will help make the blue-yellow tradition even better.
– We are very well prepared. We are in the very last stage of our tests and we are going through everything to ensure the best possible quality, says Manfred SandbichlerHankook’s Director of Motorsport.
– This is something completely new for us. With so many different tire patterns and compounds compared to the Nürburgring, which we are used to. I like it, because it becomes much more challenging for the tires and for us.
Hankook steps in
Manfred Sandbichler – Head of Motorsport in Europe, comes from a long background of 25 years in motorsport and just over 20 years at South Korean Hankook. For the most part, he has spent his years on the classic Nürburgring racing track in Germany with Formula racing.
ADVERTISEMENT: Now there is a unique opportunity to see the Swedish rally in place!
But now he and the tire manufacturer are venturing into the Swedish forests for something completely different. The FIA has given Hankook the task of improving the studded tires and making them more durable in order to make the Swedish rally competition even better.
– Quite honestly, we are looking forward to a very exciting competition. The Swedish market is very interesting and the motor fans are so incredibly passionate. There is a huge tradition for the competition in Sweden and this is our best chance to show our high level when it comes to studded tyres, says Manfredi in the interview.
The promise to Swedes
Sandbichler was there as a spectator and saw the Swedish rally the last time it went to Umeå. Then he was really impressed by the classic and is looking forward to going to Västerbotten again on 13-16 February 2025 for the new race.
– It is a very special competition, the temperature differences change extremely quickly and you have to be prepared for everything, while the snow has an extra impact. I like it, because it’s something completely different compared to everything else, says Hankook’s director of motorsport.
– All competitions are different, because everyone involved works in different ways. I promise that we will be prepared in the best possible way.
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Manfred Sandbichler has set a high goal for the upcoming Swedish rally and the tires must provide rally driving in absolute world class. Now Hankook offers the unique opportunity for two people to see the classic race in place in Umeå.
– We want to show full capacity for all Swedes, they are our most important customers in all of Scandinavia. We want to meet the high demands due to the tough winter conditions and really impress the Swedish market, he says.
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