Hankook Tests New Gravel Tire in WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2026
Event summary
- Hankook Tire introduces the Dynapro R213 soft gravel tire for the WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2026, running March 12-15 in Naivasha.
- The rally features 20 Special Stages covering 350.52 km of extreme gravel terrain with deep sand, jagged rocks, and unpredictable weather.
- Hankook has been the exclusive tire supplier for all WRC classes since the 2025 season.
- Toyota GAZOO Racing holds a five-year winning streak at Safari Rally Kenya but faces strong competition from Hyundai and Ford teams.
The big picture
Hankook's exclusive WRC tire supply contract positions it as a technology leader in high-performance off-road tires. The Safari Rally Kenya serves as a critical testbed for validating its latest gravel tire innovation, with potential applications across both motorsport and consumer markets. The event highlights the strategic importance of extreme-condition testing in differentiating tire performance capabilities.
What we're watching
- Performance Validation
- How the Dynapro R213 tire performs in extreme gravel conditions will validate Hankook's R&D investments.
- Competitive Dynamics
- Whether Toyota can extend its winning streak or if Hyundai and Ford teams gain ground in this challenging terrain.
- Market Differentiation
- The pace at which Hankook can translate rally-derived insights into consumer tire innovations.
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