Chennai. August 11, 2006: After announcing a strategic alliance with Maruti, General Motors and Hyundai yesterday, JK Tyre continuing their commitment to promote motorsports in India, today announced a new alliance with Hindustan Motors, introducing the Mitsubshi Cedia in the 32ND K-1000 Rally, Bangalore. The cars will be fitted with the JK Tyre’s all-new 14/62-15 Ultima XRG tyres, specially designed to battle dirt and gravel and will be driven by the latest sensation on the rallying circuit – Gaurav Gill, winner of the first round of INRC, 2006.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Sanjay Sharma, Head, Motorsports, JK Tyre, said, Along with this new association, and the alliances with Maruti, General Motors and Hyundai, we proud to say that we have managed to generate interest in automobile giants to partner us to promote motorsports in India. I am sure the game is all set to attain new highs, taking our relationship and our commitment to motorsports to greater prospects.

“We have had a good run in the championship. We are confident that the new Mitsubshi Cedia coupled with the Balenos and the Ford Fiesta will help us maintaining our leadership position. I have had a few test drives and the machine indeed seems to be very promising,” said Gaurav Gill. “We have a winning package and the terrain serves us well for a high pace drive. We are here not just to drive and win, but have been specifically instructed by the Team to offer a taste of speed and adrenalin to entertain the crowd with an unforgettable rally fiesta,” added Co-driver Farooq.

The stage is set for the Bangalore’s date with thundering speed as the third leg of INRC got flagged off here on Friday. The return of JK Tyre into the rallying scene last year has already pumped up the excitement, and to add to the zing it is the team of the ‘country’s best’; promising a rally fiesta that one would never afford to miss. Team JK Tyre is leading the rally with both JK Tyre drivers; Gaurav Gill in Pune and Five times national champion, Naren Kumar winning the Chikmagalur round.

Supporting the stars in their machines is seven-time national rally champion, N. Leelakrishnan, widely regarded as the best race engineer in the country. Managing the fiery team is none other than the ‘Flying Sikh of Motorsport’, Hari Singh who led Team JK Tyre to five national consecutive titles from 1993 – 1997 and India’s first ever Asia Zone rally champion.

“All eyes are on us. With the best of the drivers who have proved themselves in the toughest stages time and again, and the matchless car preparation skills of Leelakrishnan, Team JK Tyre is all set to storm the Bangalore Rally. Our boys are very confident and we look forward to good results,” said Hari Singh, Motorsports Manager, JK Tyre.