MRF launches rally tyres in Australia and New Zealand

The FIA-approved MRF competition rally tyres have been launched in Australian and New Zealand markets. The size range of the tyres includes 13, 14 and 15 inches.

Melbourne-based Mentor Tyres is the only importer for the MRF competition tyres in Australia and New Zealand. MRF has proven its worth in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) by winning it seven times, including the 2015 championship with one round to go.

Vivek Ponnusamy, CEO of Mentor Tyres, has been working closely with MRF in India. The first shipment of the tyres will arrive in Australia by the end of October. Ponnusamy has a vivid background in competition rally with 27 years of experience as a professional co-driver. He won the 2013 APRC 2WD title with Karamjit Singh. Before this, the duo claimed the top spot at the Malaysian Rally Championship in 2012.

Since events like Begonia Rally and Alpine Rally are coming up, the shipment of MRF range of gravel tyres will reach Australia just in time. This range of tyres will be available to the rally competitors. Moreover, MRF will also be involved in the event to gain brand value. The tyre maker will be the naming rights sponsor for the upcoming round of Victorian Rally, the MRF Tyres Akademos Rally, on October 18.

Ponnusamy said, "Mentor Tyres are excited to be part of the MRF Tyres global family and representing MRF competition tyres in Australia and New Zealand is a great privilege and a valuable opportunity to supply one of the world’s best competition tyres at a very competitive price to this part of the world."

Mentor Tyres presently has five Australian distributors in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia to provide sales and on-event support for local competitors.