Kumho enjoyed a major presence at the Autosport International Show, which was held at the NEC, Birmingham, January 10-13. Its stand, which featured a prototype Bowler Nemesis rally raid vehicle, Niall McShea’s Subaru Impreza class-winning WRC rally car and a selection of Kumho’s latest motorsport and road tyres, was packed throughout the popular four-day exhibition.

The Bowler was equipped with Kumho’s brand new hi-tech 275/65R18 tyre. Specifically developed for rally raid events, it is the only tyre of its type available in the 18in size required by the Nemesis.  Kumho was to have equipped some eight teams with the new tyres on January’s gruelling Lisbon to Dakar Rally, which was sadly cancelled at the 11th hour due to terrorist threats.

McShea’s Subaru won the production class on last year’s Rally Ireland, a round of the FIA World Rally Championship, courtesy of Kumho’s proven ECSTA C03 and new TW02 wet tyre. Other new products displayed on the stand included the ECSTA X3 KL17 cover for the luxury and sports SUV market and the ECSTA HM KH31 tyre for GT cars, sporting saloons and estates.

Prize draw promotion

During the show, Kumho was delighted to present a cheque for £4,650 to the Association of Air Ambulances. The company was also promoting its first ever radio promotion, which ran throughout January and comprised a prize draw based on its links with the Manchester United football club, of which it is a Platinum sponsor.