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Sports Sedans tyre drama cleared

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: April 26, 2024

After being forced to use a mixed bag in the Symmons Plains opener, everyone will be racing on the same Hankook tyre when the Precision National Sports Sedans breathe fire once again at The Bend.

The historic opening round being the first in Tasmania for the best part of three decades produced great racing, but it was impacted by a tyre supply issue.

For 2024 the category’s control tyre is supplied by Hankook, but there were not enough to go around the entire 16-car field.

As a result of not enough stock being on hand, there was a small disparity in tyre performance during the weekend.

However, the will not be the case when the Sports Sedans return at Tailem Bend at the end of May.

Precision National Sports Sedans President Michael Robinson confirmed that whilst it was a headache in the “Apple Isle” the issue has now been rectified.

“We have changed control tyre brand supplier from Kuhmo to Hankook for the next three years but the stock that we had was not enough for cars that ran with a slightly narrower tyre,” he told AUTO ACTION.

“There were a mixture on Yokohama, Michelin and Kuhmo but that will be resolved with the stock on the ship and will come in so everyone will have Hankook tyres at The Bend.

“That is in our series regs so they will have to conform with that.

“It was a difficulty in Tasmania because all three tyre brands work differently so some felt advantages and disadvantages

“The current supply of tyres was meant to come in early January and it is a worldwide issue so they were not in stock.

“We only had last year’s stock which was not enough so if they could not fit the size that was available then they were allowed to run their own brand. 

“At the end of the day the fastest lap was still done on a Hankook.”

The next Precision National Sports Sedan Series round is on May 31-June 2.

Image: DMAC Photography

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Podcast: Stunning Taupo Shines Through the Gloom | Supercars back in New Zealand

We’re back from our weekend in Taupo (Tow Paw), and what an unbelievable first weekend for that venue. It was, we felt, the start of this season, too, despite it being the third round. Andrew and Bruce were there, and PG was on the couch.

Brodie Kostecki was back for Erebus, Andre Heimgartner won for Brad Jones Racing, and Will Brown battled his teammate Broc Feeney for the other win. Anton De Pasquale also won the Jason Richards Trophy for the best performer over the two races – is Dick Johnson Racing back?

Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or here

    

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