The Safari Rally in Kenya isn’t your average race. It’s dust, mud, rocks, and ruts. And if the rains come, it’s pure chaos. That’s exactly what makes it legendary.

So when Hankook Tire made its debut as an official WRC partner at the 2025 Safari Rally, all eyes were on how their rubber would hold up. Spoiler alert: it didn’t just hold up—it dominated.

From First-Time Partner to Podium Performer

Hankook came into this year’s Safari Rally with a point to prove. As the new official tire supplier for the FIA Junior WRC, the brand had to show it could handle the punishing African landscape. Drivers faced sharp rocks, thick dust, deep water crossings, and unpredictable weather — all in one rally. And through it all, Hankook’s tires delivered grip, durability, and control. For a first-time supplier, that’s a big statement.

Why the Safari Rally Is So Brutal

Most races stick to tarmac or groomed gravel. Not Kenya. The Safari Rally is famous for chewing up equipment and humbling even the best drivers. The route spans vast savannahs and rocky highlands, often with little warning before the terrain shifts under your wheels. Temperatures soar. Rain turns dry tracks into mud pits.

It’s the kind of event that puts every part of the car — and every bit of driver focus — to the test. Tires that can survive here? They can survive just about anywhere.

Real Performance, Not Just Lab Tests

What sets this apart for Hankook is that these results weren’t theoretical. Their Rally2 tires faced real-world extremes and passed with flying colors. They gripped when it was dry. They clawed through the mud when it got wet. And they helped junior drivers stay competitive in one of the world’s most punishing motorsport environments. That’s not marketing fluff — it’s data earned in dirt.

What This Means for Everyday Drivers

Now, you might not be racing through the African bush in your daily driver — but tech tested under rally conditions often trickles down into everyday tires. That means better grip in rain, stronger sidewalls for potholes, and more reliable performance in extreme heat or cold. It’s all part of the long game Hankook is playing: build trust through performance when it matters most.

Looking Down the Trail

With a strong debut behind them, Hankook’s momentum is building. Their role in the Junior WRC gives them a proving ground to refine performance for all types of drivers.

If they can thrive in Kenya, they’re set to push boundaries in every corner of the WRC calendar. Expect to hear a lot more about Hankook — not just in racing headlines, but on highways and backroads where performance still counts.