Hankook era starts with this weekend https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/hanko...d-is-it-ready/
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Hankook era starts with this weekend https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/hanko...d-is-it-ready/
But Fourmaux still with Pirelli on shakedown
https://x.com/rallyesport/status/186...C1kV5QC61vX5Xg
Looking from Rovanperas videos, proper Monte conditions and if he is on Hankook's, then it is quite an advantage for first rally..
I note the Pirelli branding has been taken off since the car rolled off the truck....Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
So both brands are present
Comparing https://x.com/burgrid16/status/18676...C1kV5QC61vX5Xg
Both brands will be used cause there isn’t enough Hankooks
https://x.com/rallyesport/status/186...C1kV5QC61vX5Xg
Fourmaux about the tires
What is your opinion on Hankook tires?
"Frankly, the slicks are good, whether they are super-tender and tender, and there is just the rise in tire temperature which is not necessarily as fast as the Pirelli. For the snow, on the other hand, I'm not very happy. It was necessary to work the old-fashioned way by sizing the tires at each assist to have a good functioning at the end of the rally. We'll see what they'll do for Monte-Carlo, but I really hope we won't have the "basic tires". On the other hand, Hankook was very open in the discussions by being very reactive, and that's a good sign.”
Have more drivers in all 4wd classes given any feedback on the Hankooks ?
so.... hankooks looked ok, right? new for everybody, not many random flats... or FIA's new rules for F1 also works for WRC? (cant complain about partners)
I think everybody knows that it is first year for Hankook in WRC. So not easy with development, Monte (and also Sweden) are specific, so no need to criticise them. We will see later during the year...
Drivers satisfied with Hankook
The Rally2 tires proved equally as popular, with Gus Greensmith declaring “I don’t really have anything negative to say to Hankook”.
“I think they’ve been really good,” he explained. “Some of the impacts we’ve had and some of the sharp edges on the cuts, there’s no chance that a Pirelli would have survived those.
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/drive...oks-wrc-tires/
I think they're the same tyres, no? There isn't actually 'rally2 tyres' anymore....Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
different compounds for sureQuote:
Originally Posted by rallyfiend
This year at least in Monte and Sweden they have same tyres and sizes.Quote:
Originally Posted by ictus
E: in Kenya they also have same tyres, but:
WRC1: first choice Hard, alternative Soft
WRC2: first choice Soft, alternative Hard
same dynapro R213 tyres(hard=G3, soft=G7)
Oh man... Gus is still mad about Pirelli :D I thought the same actually that when Gus didn't get any punctures on a tarmac rally, which is known to have a lot of cutting, then it has to be a good tire.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
Gus and Mads should have been full-time Hankook test drivers :D
Hankook’s WRC debut earns widespread praise...
https://www.wrc.com/a/news/w29198_Ha...espread-praise
New gravel tyre from Portugal
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/hanko...e-to-portugal/
I wonder if the teams had these new tyres already on Portugal tests? Or they get to test them on SD.. that wouldn't be nice..
Kalle is not optimistic he'll ever get on with the Hankooks...
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/rovan...with-hankooks/
He found the best setup and cooperation with Hankook tyres on Canarias. That was main reason for his dominance there. But on other events/surfaces, everybody is struggling with the new tyres. Someone less, someone more.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Indeed, but with such fine margins between the top drivers this could be decisive. And especially when there's so many gravel events ahead, Kalle will have no chance if he cant adapt.Quote:
Originally Posted by PLuto
Anybody have an opinion on the Hankook puncture rate vs Pirelli after 5 rounds?
Thing is, also Hyundai has trouble with Hankook (especially Thierry I'd say) and their good setup window is small. Evans seems more comfortable but he also struggled a lot in past years while in the road opening positionsQuote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
I still think that Hankook has done a very good job so far. The tyres have been durable and there has been no difference between batches etc. How much of some drivers struggles is down to tyre, how much to lack of hybrid? Hard to know. Differences between top drivers is not huge, so small things matter, but those drivers that are less sensible to setup have adapted better to the new tyres
Neuville:
"The tires aren't up to scratch ," lamented Thierry Neuville at the finish of SS9 at Acropolis. "When you see why we're puncturing, it's crazy. Competing at this level with such a product is impossible. We're constantly getting punished for nothing, it's no fun. It's just luck that decides."
Very frustrated, the Hyundai driver added another layer when he returned to service at midday.
"Yesterday, one of the tires wasn't even flat, it just bounced and let the air out ," he said. "We reinflated the tire that evening, and it stayed at the right pressure all night. It's clearly a manufacturing issue, a reliability issue. This is not how we should be fighting for a world title. And it's the same with the other punctures."
"This morning, you couldn't even see where the tire was losing air. There was a tiny hole, I've never seen anything like that before, it's really crazy. I had more punctures this weekend than all of last year. They [Hankook] have a lot of work to do."
Sounds like ogier and pirelli
Well, after Safari, I was much more worried than that.
But finally, considering the lack of experience of Hankook on technical abrasive gravel, the tyres have done a decent job even if they benefit from some help (increasing the number of tyres).
At least, it was not worse than Pirelli (maybe even slightly better) and we can expect some improvements through years.
The tyre seems to be a bit fragile, but still the amount of punctures is a lot driver related. Some drivers didn't have any problems in Greece.
In the beginning with Pirelli it was different, they sometimes delaminated in random places.