On 12 April, the Super Taikyu Organisation (STO) announced a multi-year deal with Bridgestone to supply tyres to the Eneos Super Taikyu Series. Today, it was announced that Bridgestone would begin supplying tyres to the series effective immediately, as an emergency response to the Hankook Tyre Daejeon manufacturing plant fire of 12 March.
11 people were treated for smoke inhalation after the fire, which destroyed portions of the Korean tyre maker’s main manufacturing facility. Hankook was then informed that it would take “at least one and a half years” for them to supply new tyres for the Super Taikyu Series.
The devastating fire overlapped the end of Hankook’s current tyre supply contract, and under the circumstances, the STO elected to sign a new deal with Bridgestone beginning in 2024 – a deal which is for a minimum of three years, but could be extended to five years with options available. But to ensure that the 2023 season can be finished, Bridgestone will step in and begin supplying tyres ahead of schedule.
Beginning with the Friday test at Fuji Speedway, the ST-4 and ST-5 classes will change over to Bridgestone Potenza performance street tyres. Cars in all other classes will use the remaining stock of Hankook’s slick racing tyres and wet-weather tyres.
At the Fuji Super TEC 24 Hours on 26-28 May, the tyre selection will be a mixture of Bridgestone slick tyres and wet-weather Hankook tyres. ST-4 and ST-5 will continue to use Bridgestone street tyres until the supply of slick tyres becomes available.
Bridgestone will then take over as the sole tyre supplier for Super Taikyu effective from the third round of the 2023 season, at Sportsland SUGO on 8-9 July.
Harumi Kuwayama, Executive Director of the STO, agreed that it would be best not to put Hankook’s already-strained supply under even more duress. “It was very difficult, even from a common sense standpoint, to suddenly supply tyres for use in endurance races, including the 24 Hours of Fuji, without having a schedule in place.”
“At one point, we had to prepare for the cancellation of the Fuji 24 Hours and the 2023 season, but with the help of many people under these circumstances, Bridgestone Corporation gave us a lot of consideration, and miraculously, we will be able to continue the 2023 season,” Kuwayama said.
“During this period, we have also been encouraged by the understanding of our teams and partners. We cannot thank you enough. We would also like to thank Hankook for its support of the series over the past two years and wish them a speedy recovery.”
