Leading tyre giant Hankook is set to join forces with former British Rally Champion David Higgins on the final round of the China Rally Championship and of the World Rally Championship.

The Welsh-based Manxman worked with Hankook earlier this year when he drove to an impressive third overall in the Lurgan Park Rally and the parties are delighted to be reunited on these two key events.

Hankook Motorsport manager Mike Patterson said that Hankook would be supporting David’s efforts in the China Rally this month, which is the final round of the China Championship and the Asia Pacific Championship, together with his entry in Wales Rally GB.

“We were delighted to work with David for Lurgan Park and pleased that we can renew this partnership on both sides of the world,’’ said Mike.

Hankook is also the key sponsor of the SJR Hankook team and its drivers Gwyndaf Evans and Stuart Jones who will also be contesting Wales Rally GB as the final round of the British Rally Championship.

“We are delighted to be supporting three exceptionally good drivers in Group N machinery for Wales Rally GB,’’ said Mike. “This puts us in an extremely strong position to dominate this class and really show the calibre of the tyres and the crews.’’

In China David has been driving for the high profile WY team in a Mitusbishi Evo 9 and will also be using an Evo 9 on Wales Rally GB.

The hectic schedule will see David and co-driver Ieuan Thomas compete in China next weekend before jumping on a plane and arriving back in the UK in time to start the Wales Rally GB recce.

"It’s going to be extremely tough to get back in time to start the recce but if everything goes to plan Ieuan and I will leave the finish of the China rally and fly back to London overnight and then head to Wales for the recce,’’ said David.

For Wales Rally GB David will be reunited with the team which helped him with the British Rally Championship in 2004 – SG Petch and the Evo 9 will be sporting the livery of TQ Education and Training together with Hankook.

Wales Rally GB gets underway in Cardiff on Friday December 3 for three action packed days of high speed action in South Wales.