Kumho Tyre has expanded its support of grass roots motor sport by announcing it will be the naming rights sponsor for the inaugural Australian Schools Karting Championship.

The 2014 Kumho Australian Schools Karting Championsip is an initiative of KartSchool Australia to introduce high school students to motor sport in a cost effective yet fun and competitive manner.

According to Kumho national marketing and training manager, David Basha, the Australian Schools Karting Championship is a great concept which will encourage motorsport participation.

"Kumho is pleased to partner Australian Schools Karting Championship as it brings the thrills, craft and discipline of motor racing to a new young audience," said David Basha.

"We are strong supporters of entry level motor sport and there is no purer form than go karting.

"The Kumho ASKC will be the ideal first step for students to discover the challenges and rewards of motor sport and learn about speed and car control at an early age."

Kumho's motor sport involvement in Australia is anchored in the principles of young driver development.

Formula 3's Kumho Cup as well as the Australian Rally Championship's Kumho Spirit of Rally award and Kumho Australian Junior Rally Challenge have been specifically designed to encourage rising talent in the sport.

"Kumho understands the importance of fostering the next generation of Australian motor sport participants and supporting the Australian Schools Karting Championship is a great way of supporting future drivers," said David.

The Kumho ASKC will see students in teams of three compete against other schools in a three round series designed to find Australia's fastest learners.

More than 60 students from 17 schools across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory have signed up to take part in the competition.

The Kumho ASKC got off to a thrilling start with a fiercely contested round in Victoria on Sunday afternoon taken out by Staughton College's Hayden Berns.

The competition now heads to New South Wales for two locals rounds - held 19-20th May at Ultimate Karting Sydney and Kartak Villawood ahead of a state final on Monday 26th May at Kartak.

Queensland's representatives will be determined by a local event at Go Karting Brisbane on Tuesday 20th May before the national final takes place Saturday 31st May at Sydney's Picton Kart Racing Track.

Organiser of the Kumho Australian Schools Karting Championship, Gerald Chait from KartSchool Australia, says Kumho's support will go a long way in supporting those experiencing racing for the first time.

"It's fantastic to have the support of Kumho for the Australian Schools Karting Challenge because of its ties with Australian motor sport," said Gerald Chait.

"I wanted to make the Kumho ASKC as cost effective as possible and Kumho's sponsorship has allowed us to make it easier for competitors to get involved at a cost effective price.

"The Kumho ASKC has received incredible support from schools and it is shaping up to be a very exciting and tightly contested competition," he said.

Since its inception in 1960, Kumho Tyres has been a model of steady growth amid dramatic changes of business landscape. Driven by innovation in management and technical development Kumho has become one of the top ten tyre companies in the world.

Over the past half-century Kumho Tyres has built the foundation for a sustainable company, which has thrived through a full range of business environments.

Kumho has succeeded in the development of superior tyres for all vehicles including high performance, passenger, sports utility and recreational vehicles, as well as light trucks, heavy truck and buses, industrial, agricultural, mining and construction vehicles as well as aircraft.

Kumho produces more than 68 million tyres annually with a massive research and development program which comprises more than 600 research personnel and 300 testing machines at proving grounds in South Korea, China, Europe and North America, Kumho leads the world with the latest in tyre technology, safety and performance. In Australia Kumho markets an extensive range of tyres for cars, 4WD's, light commercials, trucks and buses with a network centred around five state locations with the ability to distribute tyres to retailers across all areas of Australia.

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