Hankook has finally brought its 2025-spec L63H Ventus slick to North America, debuting during the weekend of June 21 at Watkins Glen International. Designed to support the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2, this tire has already raced in Europe and now received rave reviews from North American teams .

Drivers raved about the tire’s improvements.

• Ernie Francis Jr., speaking on behalf of Alliance Racing, said, “It’s definitely an improvement over what we had in the past. The tire seems more consistent over the course of a run … the rear tire especially holds up better.” He explained that the new tire maintains performance longer during 50-minute races, allowing drivers to push without fear of significant drop-off.

• Colin Queen from ANSA Motorsports noted increased rear grip and greater forgiveness:

  “The lifespan has improved. It’s good. It’s a noticeable difference … more conservative entry into corners but more forgiving” - Sportscar365
  
  

Performance gains were immediate.
Lap data from Watkins Glen shows measurable improvements: qualifying times were almost a second faster, while race laps improved by over half a second compared to last year sportscar365.com+1sportscar365.com+1.

What makes the new L63H special?

• Enhanced durability allows the rear tire to maintain its performance window longer, reducing falloff especially late in runs.

• Stronger grip and consistency let drivers push harder from start to finish without overheating or excessive wear.

• A more forgiving nature helps drivers manage tire behavior, potentially leading to closer, faster races

Watkins Glen Weekend Context
This race marked the midpoint of the 2025 Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America season. Introduced at Watkins Glen, the L63H replaces the standard L54 compound across all classes and will continue for the rest of the season, including the global World Final.

Looking ahead
Hankook originally developed these improvements after encountering durability issues at Le Mans in 2024. The goal was to give Super Trofeo drivers more confidence and closer racing through improved tyre resilience and grip. The L63H also aligns with Lamborghini’s strategy leading into the release of the new Temerario-based Super Trofeo car in 2027.

Why This Matters for Racing and Hankook

• Elevates Series Performance: Faster, more durable tires translate to closer competition and fewer degradation-related cautions.

• Demonstrates Hankook Innovation: Tailored improvements respond directly to real-world challenges and show Hankook's commitment to motorsport excellence.

• Boosts Brand Credibility: Positive driver reactions reinforce Hankook’s reputation as a top-tier racing tire supplier.

If you're running a Super Trofeo program or tracking the series, the L63H is a meaningful upgrade, the kind that improves lap times, stability, and overall race craft in a high-stakes one-make championship.