KUMHO TIRE U.S.A. ANNOUNCES RETURN TO OFF-ROAD RACING WITH SUPPORT OF THREE DRIVERS

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Feb 03, 2026, 14:45 ET

Vehicles equipped with KUMHO Road Venture MT71 mud-terrain tires during the Johnson Valley extreme off-road race event will showcase the brand's 'Performance Without Compromise' motto

ATLANTA, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kumho Tire U.S.A., one of the world's leading tire manufacturers, returns to off-road racing with the support of three drivers participating in the annual extreme off-road race in Johnson Valley, California this week. Stephen "Woody" Rose Jr. (#22), Eric Wikle (#406), and Mark Duval (#4810) will put the KUMHO Road Venture MT71 mud-terrain tire's LT-rated quality to the test as they compete in brutal terrain on Friday, February 6. Combining high-speed desert racing with technical rock crawling sections, the extreme off-road race pits talented drivers against some of the toughest obstacles in the California desert.

Kumho Tire-supported off-road race drivers Eric Wikle (#406), Stephen “Woody” Rose Jr. (#22), and Mark Duval (#4810).

"We are thrilled to return to off-road racing in the U.S. and showcase our 'Performance Without Compromise' brand motto in action," said Ed Cho, CEO Kumho Tire U.S.A. "This month's participation in the California desert event marks the beginning of Kumho Tire's growing involvement in off-road motorsports and reinforces our commitment to high-performing light truck products."

Built for rugged performance, the KUMHO Road Venture MT71 tires are engineered to tackle nature's toughest obstacles that both performance racers and everyday adventurers may face. Kumho Tire will support three seasoned drivers:

Stephen "Woody" Rose Jr. (#22) – Stephen "Woody" Rose Jr. is a veteran American off-road racer and regular competitor in the annual races in Johnson Valley, including a championship win in 2022.
Eric Wikle (#406) – Based in East Helena, Montana, Eric Wikle has competed in several high-profile events where he's honed his technical rock crawling and high-speed desert racing skills, with multiple podium finishes.
Mark Duval (#4810) – Avid rock crawler and off-road motorcycle rider Mark Duval is a proven winner with years of top results in amateur racing. In between races, Duval fabricates and volunteers at off-road events.

The KUMHO Road Venture MT71 tires deliver better durability, off-road traction and excellent on-road handling through the following features:

Increased block stiffness for enhanced on/off-road handling performance characteristics
High-void tread pattern featuring a zig-zag and dual-pitch design to provide maximum off-road traction
Mud and stone ejector bars between the shoulder lugs to prevent damage from stone drills and aid self-cleaning

For more information on the full product lineup of Kumho Tire U.S.A., visit www.kumhotire.com.

About KUMHO TIRE Co. Inc.

Kumho Tire, one of the world's largest tire manufacturers, has more than 60 years of history of pioneering innovative approaches to developing tires and is dedicated to providing exceptional driving experiences to consumers around the world. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Kumho Tire U.S.A. is the US sales, marketing, product development, and distribution arm of Kumho Tire Co. Inc.

For more information on Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc., and its products, please visit www.kumhotire.com. Follow Kumho Tire on Facebook, Instagram and on X @KumhoTireUSA.

SOURCE Kumho Tire USA