#Kenya #Nairobi #Hankook Tire #Safari Rally #WRC 2025

Hankook Tire Dominates the 2025 Safari Rally in Kenya

The Safari Rally Kenya, renowned for its extreme challenges and unpredictable landscapes, concluded its third round of the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) with great success. As the exclusive tire supplier, Hankook Tire & Technology played a critical role in this high-stakes motorsport event, providing tires that could withstand the grueling demands of one of the most arduous rallies on the calendar. Held from March 20 to 23, the rally is famous for its treacherous unpaved roads and sudden weather shifts that often lead to slippery conditions and unexpected wildlife encounters.

Hankook’s tire technology shone brightly, particularly through the performance of their flagship multi-purpose rally tire, the Dynapro R213. Engineered through the relentless efforts of Hankook's motorsports research and development team led by Chairman Hyunbum Cho, this tire was designed to excel in challenging environments. It exhibited exceptional reliability and grip, enabling drivers to maintain control and stability even under adverse weather conditions that could quickly transform firm ground into treacherous mud pits.

During the event, Elfyn Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin from the Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team demonstrated remarkable skill, clinching victory in the WRC1 class. This win was not just a momentous achievement for the team but also marked Evans’s second victory of the season, having previously triumphed at Rally Sweden. The addition of this win further cements his position as a leading contender for the drivers’ championship title.

The Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team also celebrated a historic moment, obtaining a double podium finish with second and third places— their best-ever results at the Safari Rally. The excitement was palpable, with over 250,000 enthusiastic motorsport fans attending the event, representing a significant 33% increase compared to the previous year. This attendance underscores the growing global appeal of the WRC and its events.

The 2025 WRC series includes 14 rounds spanning 16 countries in Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia. The next event on the calendar is the Rally Islas Canarias, scheduled for April 24 to 27 in the Canary Islands, Spain. Known for its challenging asphalt terrain and significant elevation changes, this rally offers another test of skill, particularly under wet weather conditions that can further complicate driving strategies.

Hankook Tire continues to reinforce its status as a leader in tire technology in the motorsports arena by serving as the exclusive tire supplier for all classes of the WRC over a three-year partnership beginning this year. Since 2023, the company has worked closely with the FIA and leading automotive manufacturers to develop high-performance rally tires that have undergone extensive testing across multiple countries, accumulating over 2,000 kilometers of real-world performance evaluation.

These efforts emphasize Hankook Tire's commitment not only to high-quality engineering but also to enhancing its premium brand presence in the competitive world of motorsports. As they prepare for future events and collaborations, the company remains focused on innovation and performance, solidifying its reputation as a premier choice for drivers competing in extreme conditions worldwide.