Kumho to sponsor auto racing team for Super Race

Ecsta Racing Team coach and driver Kim Jin Pyo, third from right, poses with his fellow driver Uji Ide of Japan and models after the team signed a sponsorship agreement with Kumho Tire at Kumho Asiana Group’s headquarters in Gwanghwamun, downtown Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Kumho Tire

By Yi Whan-woo

Kumho Tire will sponsor a motor sport team competing in this year’s Super Race, a professional drivers’ racing championship series, the company said Wednesday.

The tire manufacturing arm of Kumho Asiana Group said the team will be called the Ecsta Racing Team, named after the firm’s flagship product, Ecsta. It is exclusively designed for driving on the circuits.

The two cars under the Ecsta Racing Team will use three types of Ecsta tires ― the V70A, S700 and W710 ― depending on the weather and track conditions, according to Kumho Tire. It added it will also put its name and corporate identity on those cars that will compete in Super 6000, one of the Super Race’s four competition categories divided by engine displacement.

“We have sponsored several motor sport teams for the past 20 years, and we believe the talented drivers of the Ecsta Racing Team can produce good results under our sponsorship,” said Kumho Tire chief sales officer Cho Jae-suk.

He was one of the dignitaries who attended a ceremony to celebrate the sponsorship at Kumho Asiana Group headquarters in Gwanghwamun, downtown Seoul. Kumo Tire’s CEO Kim Chang-kyu and its Chief Operating Officer Park Se-chang were also present.

Ecsta Racing Team is comprised of six crew members ― two drivers and four technicians. The drivers are Kim Jin-pyo of Korea and Uji Ide of Japan. Kim, who is also a singer, will serve as the coach. Ide built his career in various motor sport events, including Formula 1 and GT500.

The Super 6000 is a competition for cars with an engine displacement of over 6,000 cubic centimeters.

The sedan and coupe cars are tuned up to compete in the Super Race. It will kick off on Sunday.

This year, Kumho Tire also will sponsor the country’s only amateur drivers’ championship series, Ecsta Super Racing.