“Waltzing Matilda”

Almost 14,000 applied for the Dunlop Drivers Cup, but only 30 have been the lucky ones to realise their life’s greatest driving adventure. Ten days travelling through Australia guided only by a roadbook – on sand (with a Toyota off-road vehicle) and asphalt (with a TT roadster), through the outback, along the majestic coastline of the Great Ocean Road, crossing/passing the Snowy Mountains up to the spectacular finish in front of the famous Sydney Opera House. Between start and finish the “Dunlop Drivers” had to travel a distance of almost 4,000 kilometres and to pass difficult test sections containing elements of motor-sports.

With this event the tyre producer wanted to create interest in the topic of driving safety within the main target group of the sporty drivers, interested in motorsports. The second motive is to demonstrate the influence of tyres on safe driving.The next Dunlop Drivers Cup (DDC) will be held in Malaysia in 2003, but there will be a major change in the concept: the DDC will take place with international teams.

It is already clear that teams from Italy, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Australia and the United States will join the event in February 2003. There is also a question-mark over the contribution of France, Poland and Hungary. “In the end the number of teams could grow from 15 up to 20 or 25”, said Dieter Seibert, Director Advertising Europe at Dunlop.

General Motors is preferred as the official partner from the automotive side.Seibert’s midterm ideas for the future of the DDC go far beyond this point: he aims to reach a closer co-operation with the original equipment customers. Furthermore there could be scope for virtual race experiences supported by the computer.

“Another idea is to connect the DDC more strongly with the topic of tyre and car development, for instance by visiting production facilities, technical centres or by using company owned proving grounds. The regional qualifications for Malaysia will be held from June to August, the national qualifications will take place in September – as usual..