Kumho Tyres has come on board as the naming-rights sponsor for the 2012 Wakefield 300 and Winton 300 races.

The tyre manufacturer, which recently became the world’s fifth largest, has thrown its support behind the two multi-class endurance events, which will form the “Kumho Endurance Series.”

The Wakefield and Winton 300 races are the most affordable way to experience endurance racing in Australia. They are open to a variety of production cars, which are separated into divisions based on their lap times. Each car must be shared by at least two drivers and there are compulsory pit-stops for refuelling.

According to the NSW distributor for Kumho Tyres, David Atkin, the two events provide an ideal platform to showcase the benefits of Kumho Tyres.

“We were looking to get exposure through Australian motorsport, for less money than it costs to sponsor categories at V8 Supercar level,” he said. “Kumho are already involved in motorsport as the control tyre supplier for the V8 Touring Cars and Formula 3, but the open tyre format for the Wakefield 300 and Winton 300 is a way of demonstrating the advantages of Kumho Tyres compared to other brands.”

Warren Sheehan in his Skyline at the 2011 Wakefield 300

Competitors and fans will both be winners out of the new sponsorship deal, thanks to an expanded television package. Both the Wakefield 300 and Winton 300 events will be televised on SBS Speedweek as well as Fox Sports Inside Speed.

“The television packages are excellent, and add value to competitors,” Mr Atkin said. “They are also replayed a number of times on Speed TV, which provides a lot of exposure.”

The 2012 Wakefield 300 will be held on March 3-4, while the Winton 300 is scheduled for November 10-11.

The 2011 Wakefield 300 was won by Stephen Anslow and Ric Shaw (Mazda RX7) and the Winton 300 was taken out by David Raddatz and Shane Otten (Mazda MX5).

For more information about the upcoming Wakefield 300, please visit: http://www.wakefieldpark.com.au/events/wakefield-300.