Sumitomo Rubber to exit karting tire business

Tokyo – Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) will discontinue its supply of karting tires at the end of 2027, the Japanese tire maker announced 4 Sept.

The decision follows a review of the future direction of SRI’s business and the allocation of management resources, as part of the group’s medium- to long-term management strategy, said SRI.

The Tokyo-based group has supplied karting tires, under the Dunlop brand, since 1976 for a wide range of participants, including recreational drivers and young racers.

Its karting tires have included products homologated by the Commission Internationale de Karting-FIA (CIK-FIA), an organisation under the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), as well as tires accredited by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).

The company will continue to supply products to existing customers through 31 Dec 2027, when the supply will end.