Kumho Tire Wins CJ Super Race Season Overall Championship for the First Time in 4 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] Kumho Tire secured the drivers' and teams' season overall championship after the 8th round of the '2020 CJ Logistics Superrace Championship' held on the 29th at Everland Speedway in Yongin. This victory is a meaningful achievement for Kumho Tire, marking their first drivers' and teams' overall championship since 2016, four years ago.

In the season finale 8th round held that day, driver Jung Eui-chul finished in 2nd place, earning valuable points for the team, and personally secured the top cumulative score to become the season's drivers' champion. The rookie duo, Noh Dong-gi and Lee Jung-woo, who debuted last year in the '6000 Class,' also contributed to the team's season victory by finishing 1st and 2nd in the 7th round held the previous day, dominating the podium.

Players of Kumho Tire Exsta Racing Team, who won the overall championship at the 2020 CJ Logistics Superrace Championship, are taking a commemorative photo on the podium. Photo by Kumho Tire

Kumho Tire's winning streak began from the 4th round. Kumho Tire-equipped teams started to stand out by sweeping the top positions in the 4th round qualifiers, and Junpitted Racing's Hwang Jin-woo claimed victory, signaling Kumho Tire's surge from mid to late season. From the 5th and 6th rounds, the EXRTA Racing Team led the races, with driver Jung winning the 6th round, raising expectations for the season championship. The EXRTA Racing Team excluded Jung, who was assigned significant handicap weight in the 6th round, from the 7th round points to focus on the 8th round showdown. Subsequently, Noh Dong-gi and Lee Jung-woo swept the podium in the 7th round, laying the foundation for the final victory.

This victory is even more valuable as it was achieved amid reduced support for motorsports during Kumho Tire's management normalization process. Led by director Kim Jin-pyo, the EXRTA Racing Team consistently maintained 2nd place over the past three years and was able to secure a dramatic victory this year after four years.

Kumho Tire expects a dramatic turnaround to profitability in the company's management situation, similar to the dramatic reversal of the EXRTA Racing Team. Although Kumho Tire experienced performance fluctuations due to the market downturn caused by COVID-19 earlier this year, it has shown an increase in operating profit compared to the previous year since the third quarter, raising the possibility of an annual profit turnaround this year.

Recently, in the tire industry, it has become a trend to prove tire manufacturers' technological capabilities through motorsports product supply and competition results. Racing tires are key components that determine the outcome of races by withstanding extreme conditions at speeds exceeding 200 to 300 km/h and high pressure. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, Kumho Tire has once again been recognized for its technological prowess through this victory.