to:wbainbridge@hankooktireusa.com
Bill Bainbridge Director of brand comunication.

Subject :concerned dealer

Dear Mr. Bainbridge.

As a Hankook Dealer, and race tire user. I was eagerly awaiting the release of the R-S3 since the majority of my customers purchase tires from me to be compeditive in autocross and track days... however upon seeing photo's of this tire, I am a bit upset, I personally cannot recommend tires with molded in "flames" and I know a vast majority of my customers will not approve of the mandatory "bling". I know the engineers at Hankook can make a compeditive tire, as I've been competing successfully on Hankooks since the Z211, 214, and now the F200. and I've been "chomping at the bit" for hankook to release a Street tire to compete with the Dunlop Star spec and Falken Azenis, since while a great tire, the Z212 was just a bit slower.. I'm sure there is a market for the flashy tires, but I can honestly say if the same product is made available without, I'll have more success selling them.. now if they could be made using a stickier compound, maybe a r-S3 "competition" version, there is a sure fire winner!

Thanks for your time,
Jeffrey S Lloyd
Owner, First Place Automotive.

FOr those that are not familiar with the issue at hand.



when the rest of the world gets