Kumho Tire U.S.A., one of the world’s leading tire manufacturers, announced today it will continue to sponsor drivers Jeff Jones and Andy Hateley in the upcoming 2025 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship Series. Next year will mark Kumho Tire’s second season as an Official Tire of Formula DRIFT and sponsor of the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship. The announcement was made at this year’s SEMA 2024, Nov. 5-8, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jeff Jones, who competes in a Nissan 370Z, is a drifting pioneer and a mentor dedicated to developing future stars of the sport. In his first year racing on Ecsta V730 tires from Kumho Tire, Jones improved from 29th in 2023 to just outside the top 10 (12th) in the 2024 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship Series. Andy Hateley, better known as the “Drift Wizard,” who has been drifting for over two decades, closed out his rookie season of the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship Series in 28th place overall.
“Our first year with Formula DRIFT has played an important role in our efforts to broaden brand awareness, particularly among motorsports fans,” said Shawn Denlein, president of sales and marketing at Kumho Tire U.S.A. “Andy and Jeff served as great ambassadors for the Kumho Tire brand, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them in 2025.”
“Kumho Tire has been a tremendous addition to the Formula DRIFT family, and we’re excited to see the company renew its partnership with Jeff and Andy. Both drivers are fan favourites for a good reason – Jeff had a particularly notable year, reaching the Final 4 in Seattle and the Great 8 in Utah and Irwindale,” said Ryan Sage, President of Formula DRIFT.
Both drivers will appear to meet fans and sign autographs during SEMA week in Las Vegas at the Kumho Tire booth (#81398) outside the Las Vegas Convention Center in the Silver Lot. Jones is scheduled to appear on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 2-3p PT and Hateley on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 1-2p PT.
More information about Jones can be found at www.jeffjonesracing,com. More details about Hateley can be found at www.hateleymotorsports.com.
For additional information on Kumho Tire and Formula DRIFT, fans can follow along via social media @kumhotireUSA.
