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- Round 7 of the 2026 WRC unfolded across the Aichi and Gifu regions of Japan, featuring fierce competition on rugged mountain stages
- Ventus Z215 and Z210 rally tires delivered stable grip and consistent performance in rapidly changing road conditions
- Round 8 of the 2026 WRC season, EKO Acropolis Rally Greece, will take place from June 25 to 28 in the Loutraki area of central Greece
TOYOTA CITY, Japan, June 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A leading global tire company Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook), the exclusive tire supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), has successfully concluded Round 7 of the 2026 WRC, FORUM8 Rally Japan, held across the Aichi and Gifu regions of Japan.
The rally unfolded across 20 Special Stages (SS) covering a total competitive distance of 302.82 kilometers on tarmac. Staged on steep mountain asphalt roads flanked by sheer cliffs, barriers, and dense woodland, the high-difficulty layout demanded constant concentration and precise vehicle control from drivers throughout.
Mountain fog, localized rainfall, rapidly shifting surface temperatures and humidity kept road conditions in constant flux, making tire grip and handling performance critical variables throughout the rally. With narrow roads and virtually no straight sections, even the slightest mistake risked vehicle damage or stage retirement, placing stable line-holding and precise vehicle control at the heart of drivers' strategies.
Throughout the rally, Hankook supplied its tarmac rally tires, the Ventus Z215 and Ventus Z210, delivering stable performance across the event. The Ventus Z215, optimized for dry surfaces, delivered outstanding cornering and handling performance even through successive high-speed corner sequences, while the Ventus Z210, engineered for damp surface conditions, provided excellent drainage and reliable grip to support drivers' precise vehicle control.
Round 7 drew intense interest from local fans, as the event was held on the home ground of Toyota GAZOO Racing. The narrow, unforgiving mountain stages served as the backdrop for fierce position battles and intense rallying, further heightening the event atmosphere.
After a closely fought contest, Elfyn Evans of Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team claimed overall victory at FORUM8 Rally Japan, marking his second win of the 2026 season. Evans now leads the Drivers' Championship standings with 151 points, with teammate Takamoto Katsuta following on 131 points.
The 2026 WRC season now moves to Round 8, EKO Acropolis Rally Greece, scheduled from June 25 to 28 in Loutraki, central Greece. Widely regarded as one of the most grueling events of the season, the rally's extreme mountain terrain, rough gravel surfaces, and temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius will place tire durability and thermal stability under the spotlight.
Hankook has served as the exclusive rally tire supplier for all WRC classes since the 2025 season, driving technological leadership on the global motorsport stage. By integrating racing data gathered from WRC and over 70 global motorsport championships into its R&D, Hankook continues to advance its high-performance tire lineup while strengthening the presence of its global premium brand 'Hankook.'
- Round 7 of the 2026 WRC unfolded across the Aichi and Gifu regions of Japan, featuring fierce competition on rugged mountain stages
- Ventus Z215 and Z210 rally tires delivered stable grip and consistent performance in rapidly changing road conditions
- Round 8 of the 2026 WRC season, EKO Acropolis Rally Greece, will take place from June 25 to 28 in the Loutraki area of central Greece
TOYOTA CITY, Japan, June 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A leading global tire company Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook), the exclusive tire supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), has successfully concluded Round 7 of the 2026 WRC, FORUM8 Rally Japan, held across the Aichi and Gifu regions of Japan.
The rally unfolded across 20 Special Stages (SS) covering a total competitive distance of 302.82 kilometers on tarmac. Staged on steep mountain asphalt roads flanked by sheer cliffs, barriers, and dense woodland, the high-difficulty layout demanded constant concentration and precise vehicle control from drivers throughout.
Mountain fog, localized rainfall, rapidly shifting surface temperatures and humidity kept road conditions in constant flux, making tire grip and handling performance critical variables throughout the rally. With narrow roads and virtually no straight sections, even the slightest mistake risked vehicle damage or stage retirement, placing stable line-holding and precise vehicle control at the heart of drivers' strategies.
Throughout the rally, Hankook supplied its tarmac rally tires, the Ventus Z215 and Ventus Z210, delivering stable performance across the event. The Ventus Z215, optimized for dry surfaces, delivered outstanding cornering and handling performance even through successive high-speed corner sequences, while the Ventus Z210, engineered for damp surface conditions, provided excellent drainage and reliable grip to support drivers' precise vehicle control.
Round 7 drew intense interest from local fans, as the event was held on the home ground of Toyota GAZOO Racing. The narrow, unforgiving mountain stages served as the backdrop for fierce position battles and intense rallying, further heightening the event atmosphere.
After a closely fought contest, Elfyn Evans of Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team claimed overall victory at FORUM8 Rally Japan, marking his second win of the 2026 season. Evans now leads the Drivers' Championship standings with 151 points, with teammate Takamoto Katsuta following on 131 points.
The 2026 WRC season now moves to Round 8, EKO Acropolis Rally Greece, scheduled from June 25 to 28 in Loutraki, central Greece. Widely regarded as one of the most grueling events of the season, the rally's extreme mountain terrain, rough gravel surfaces, and temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius will place tire durability and thermal stability under the spotlight.
Hankook has served as the exclusive rally tire supplier for all WRC classes since the 2025 season, driving technological leadership on the global motorsport stage. By integrating racing data gathered from WRC and over 70 global motorsport championships into its R&D, Hankook continues to advance its high-performance tire lineup while strengthening the presence of its global premium brand 'Hankook.'
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Hankook's Ventus Delivers Unwavering Performance Throughout WRC FORUM8 Rally Japan's Ever-Changing Conditions
The Aero Straight Pro 2-in-1 Air Straightener introduces dual airflow engineered for use on both wet and dry hair, to deliver smooth, glossy results while helping reduce heat exposure and elevate everyday styling performance.
LOS ANGELES, June 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Dreame Technology (Dreame) today announced the launch of the Aero Straight Pro 2-in-1 Air Straightener, its most advanced hair styling device to date. Combining high-velocity airflow, intelligent thermal sensing, and advanced hair protection technologies, the Aero Straight Pro introduces a new approach to straightening that prioritizes speed, shine, and hair care without relying on excessive heat or heavy compression.
Designed for both wet and dry styling, the Aero Straight Pro 2-in-1 Air Straightener streamlines the styling process by drying, straightening, and setting hair simultaneously. The result is a faster, more efficient styling experience engineered to deliver sleek, long-lasting results with greater comfort and control.
"As Dreame continues to expand its hair tool portfolio, our focus remains on developing intelligent, intuitive technologies that enhance everyday routines," said Ana Wang, CEO of Dreame Technology North America. "The Aero Straight Pro 2-in-1 Air Straightener represents a new era of airflow-based styling, delivering smoother, healthier-looking results with less heat, greater speed, and more personalization."
A New Approach to Straightening with Intelligent Airflow
At the core of the Aero Straight Pro 2-in-1 Air Straightener is Dreame's Dual Airflow Technology, which combines heated airflow for styling with cool airflow to immediately set the look in a single pass. This continuous styling-and-setting process is designed to help improve style longevity while reducing prolonged heat exposure during use.
Powered by a up to 120,000 RPM high-speed motor, the device generates concentrated airflow that smooths and straightens hair efficiently while minimizing reliance on extreme plate temperatures or mechanical compression. The airflow-based system is engineered to create sleek, polished results with enhanced shine and movement.
Wet-to-Straight Styling Designed for Faster Everyday Routines
The Aero Straight Pro 2-in-1 Air Straightener is designed to simplify styling by combining drying and straightening into one streamlined process. Using airflow powered by the Coandă effect, the device can simultaneously dry and smooth hair, improving styling efficiency by up to 50%.
Multiple styling modes allow users to customize the experience for different routines and hair needs, including a dedicated 57°C Root Care Mode engineered for gentler root-level drying and styling.
Intelligent Heat Control and Personalized Styling
To help maintain consistent styling performance, the Aero Straight Pro 2-in-1 Air Straightener incorporates an advanced NTC Smart Temperature Control system with six sensors that monitor heat levels 200 times per second. This continuous regulation helps maintain precise airflow temperatures while supporting smoother styling results and reduced heat stress on the hair.
Triple Protection Care for Smoother, Shinier Hair
Beyond styling performance, the Aero Straight Pro 2-in-1 Air Straightener was developed with a strong emphasis on hair care and long-term hair appearance. Its Triple Hair Protection System combines negative ion technology, keratin-coated components, and Moroccan argan oil infusion to help reduce frizz, enhance shine, and support softer-looking results throughout the styling process.
A built-in smart display provides clear visibility into styling modes, airflow settings, and real-time temperature monitoring, while intelligent safety features automatically adjust airflow during use, pause operation after inactivity, and power down the device after three minutes to help prevent overheating.
The Aero Straight Pro has already received international recognition, earning both a Publisher Awards CES 2026 and a Digital Trends Publisher Award for its engineering innovation and consumer-focused design.
The Dreame Aero Straight Pro 2-in-1 Air Straightener is now available for $349.99 on Amazon and Dreame's official website, offering a streamlined, high-performance solution for next-generation at-home hair styling.
For more information about the Aero Straight Pro 2-in-1 Air Straightener and Dreame Technology's expanding beauty and hair portfolio, visit beauty.dreametech.com.
About Dreame Technology:
Established in 2017, Dreame Technology is an innovative consumer product company specializing in smart home appliances, with a vision to empower lives through technology. With a focus on innovation and user experience, Dreame's award-winning products deliver powerful, intelligent cleaning solutions that transform everyday living. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. For more information, please visit https://www.dreametech.com/.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Dreame Technology Launches Aero Straight Pro 2-in-1 Air Straightener, a Breakthrough Intelligent Air Hair Straightener
