Hankook Tire & Technology has signed a title sponsorship agreement for Rally US, Round 11 of the 2027 FIA World Rally Championship. Under the deal, the event will run as Hankook Rally US, marking Hankook's first title sponsorship of a WRC round.
The agreement was announced at a signing ceremony during the 2026 SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center on November 3 (local time), with representatives from Hankook, the WRC Promoter, and the Rally US Organizing Committee in attendance.
Hankook Rally US will bring the WRC back to the United States for the first time in 39 years, since the Olympus Rally in Washington State in 1988. The rally is scheduled for August 25-29, 2027, on gravel stages across Tennessee and Kentucky. Knoxville will serve as rally headquarters, with the ceremonial start in Nashville, home of Hankook's U.S. headquarters.
"The WRC's historic return to the U.S. marks a milestone for Hankook as our first title sponsorship of a WRC round," said Rob Williams, Senior Vice President of Hankook Tire North America Headquarters. "This partnership will showcase our tire technology, elevate our premium brand presence, and strengthen ties with customers and partners across North America."
Hankook plans to use exposure across rally stages, the WRC Arena, fan zones, and podium backdrops to deepen engagement with motorsport fans and partners in North America, with a focus on the U.S. market.
"We're proud to represent America's return to the World Rally Championship, and especially proud to do it alongside Hankook," said Matt Crews, President and CEO of Rally US. "Tennessee is my home state, and Hankook is a leader in our automotive industry, with its U.S. headquarters in Nashville and its plant in Clarksville. Hankook Rally US gives them a great platform to showcase their brand to fans here at home and to the WRC's audience around the world."
"Hankook has been a great employer and partner for the Tennessee economy since they decided to move operations to our state more than a decade ago," said Senator Bill Hagerty. "Seeing them serve as title partner for the FIA World Rally Championship's return to America, right here in Tennessee, will put our state in front of a global audience, and I couldn't be more pleased of how far that relationship has come."
Hankook has been the exclusive rally tire supplier for all WRC classes since the 2025 season and supports more than 70 motorsport competitions worldwide through exclusive tire supply agreements and team sponsorships.
More detail is in the company announcement on News Direct.
