Kumho Tire U.S.A. says its first season back in off-road racing produced multiple class wins, with all three of its sponsored drivers competing on KUMHO Road Venture MT71 mud-terrain tires throughout the 2026 season.
Mark Duval (#4810), Stephen "Woody" Rose Jr. (#22) and Eric Wikle (#406) ran the MT71, a tire the company designed for the mixed terrain and harsh conditions found on competitive off-road courses.
Duval claimed the 4800 Class title in the Valley Off Road Racing Association (VORRA) Season Championship, winning every race in the four-event series. According to the company, he finished the season without a single puncture.
Rose was crowned Ultra4 Western Regional Series Champion in the 4800 Class, recording one first-place finish and two fourth-place finishes over four races.
Wikle took first place in the Rock800: Legends class at the 2026 Casey Folks Vegas to Reno, a 505-mile course through the Nevada desert. For the first time in the event's history, the race ran in reverse, with competitors racing from Reno to Vegas.
We are extremely proud of the success of our drivers this season, which is a testament to the strength and performance of our Road Venture MT71 tires. Key product insights gathered from these races will be integrated into the next generation of all-terrain tires to ensure that racing-grade innovations reach everyday drivers.
— Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire U.S.A.
The Road Venture MT71 is built for both performance racers and everyday off-road drivers. Kumho highlights three design features: increased block stiffness for on- and off-road handling, a high-void tread pattern with a zig-zag, dual-pitch design for off-road traction, and mud and stone ejector bars between the shoulder lugs that help prevent stone drilling damage and support self-cleaning.
The company says the drivers' results show its focus on performance and durability across its Road Venture light truck and SUV tire range.
