FIA Karting Expands MG Tires’ Position As Supplier For All 2021 CIK-FIA Events
In February, Brazil’s MG Tires was confirmed as the sole supplier for the OK and OK Junior categories for the 2021 CIK-FIA World Championships, which will take place in Birigui, Brazil on October 28-31. Bridgestone had been selected as the supplier for all competitions held in Europe, however, distribution hurdles related to the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the CIK-FIA to expand the tires distribution program to MG for the other categories as a replacement for the Japanese manufacturer.
Per an official announcement posted to the FIA Karting website on April 28:
The FIA has recently been made aware that Bridgestone is no longer able to supply tyres to the FIA Karting Championships, Cups and Trophies due to logistical problems related to COVID-19. In light of this situation, and acting in the best interests of the Sport, it was important for the FIA to find a viable and immediate alternative solution for the supply of tyres for events to be held on the European continent in 2021.
By e-vote on 27 April 2021, the World Motor Sport Council has therefore, in addition to its selection as exclusive tyre supplier for the FIA Karting Competitions to be held in Brazil in 2021, selected MG Tires as the replacement exclusive tyre supplier for the FIA Karting Championships, Cups and Trophies organised on the European continent in 2021, with the exception of the Superkart category.
“MG Tires exports its tires to more than 50 countries on five different continents,” a company representative detailed to EKN. “With 34 years of ‘life’, MG reaches the most important moment in its history; a milestone that proves the high quality of its tires, which have been recognized internationally for several years.”
Superkarts! USA CEO Tom Kutscher with MG Tires owners Marcelo and Gianfranco Ventre (Photo: On Track Promotions – otp.ca)
MG Tires provides the two largest programs in the United States, the Superkarts! Pro Tour and the United States Pro Kart Series. SKUSA runs their MG-manufactured Evinco brand in their Pro Kart Challenge, and it is also the spec tire of the International Kart Federation, serving the Texas Sprint Racing Series and KPX Karting Challenge.
MG Tires have been the spec tire at the Superkarts! USA SuperNationals in Las Vegas for over 15 years, first under their MG brand and starting in 2015, with SKUSA’s Evinco brand. Over the years, international drivers have praised MG for their product each time they traveled to Las Vegas to compete in America’s greatest karting event.
“As one of the first and longest remaining dealers and importers of MG for over 20 years, it’s a pleasure to watch MG and the Ventre brothers and their quest for 100% perfection finally get recognized by the CIK,” offered SKUSA principle Tom Kutscher, whose Evinco brand his produced by the Brazilian manufacturer. “It’s about time and it makes me very proud to be part of the MG family.”
MG Tires are also used in regional programs like the Route 66 Sprint Series and the Sunshine State Karting Challenge, in addition to over 25 clubs, tracks and series around the country.
“The alignment with MG Tires has been one of the most successful partnerships we could ask for,” added Eric Jones of Vantage Karting Group and MG Tires USA. “MG Tires is the largest karting specific tire manufacturer in the world and the owners, Marcello and Gianfranco Ventre, are huge supporters of karting in North America. They truly have the best product on the market and they stand behind it. We are extremely proud to be able to represent and distribute the MG brand.”
From the grassroots level of the sport to the top series and events in North America, and now around the world in both the FIA Karting World and European Championships, MG continues to provide a quality and customer-approved product to the karting market.
