AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE WITH HOOSIER RACING TIRE: AN INTERVIEW WITH MARTIN HECKERS

The final round of the 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship, the World RX of Türkiye, took place at Istanbul Park on 9th and 10th November, organised by the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED). The championship offered spectators an unforgettable experience on the newly resurfaced asphalt and mixed gravel track. While thrilling battles continued on the track, we had the opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with Martin Heckers, Head of Hoosier Racing Tire Europe, one of the leading brands of high-performance racing tyres. Hoosier has become a renowned name in the motorsport world with its unique designs, varied size options, and global success.

Since its founding in 1957 by Bob and Joyce Newton, Hoosier Racing Tire has secured a strong presence in motorsports across the United States and around the world. Today, with over 1,000 different tyre designs, Hoosier is one of the industry’s largest manufacturers, active in a broad range of disciplines, from oval track racing to rallycross, drag racing to road racing.

In the interview, Martin Heckers highlighted the diversity of Hoosier’s designs and the extensive range of tyre sizes, noting that over 1,400 different tyre specifications are produced at their facility in Plymouth, Indiana. Heckers pointed out that in the United States, the drag racing, dirt racing, and asphalt racing categories — collectively known as the ‘DNA category’ — are in particularly high demand. Hoosier stands out with its tyres, specially developed for each type of racing, featuring unique compounds and structures. The tyre designs, optimised to meet the specific requirements of each discipline, significantly enhance performance on both asphalt and gravel surfaces, and are one of the key features that differentiate Hoosier from its competitors.