Breaking Records With Avon Tyres

Avon Tyres have the potential to become part of a new world record as British Autograss champion Phil Cooper prepares to smash his own existing indoor world speed record at the Autosport International show on January 13/14.

In December, Cooper, who holds the distinction of being Overall Series Points Champion in all classes of the 2006 British Autograss Series, set a record of 82.05mph on a 210-metre track at the NEC in Birmingham, the same venue as he will make his current attempt.

Cooper confesses that he does not normally use Avon tyres for the race series, as they not produce a tyre he finds suitable for the grass surface. Waltham Services supplied Cooper with Avon slick racing tyres for his previous record attempt.

“The tyres were tremendous,” said Cooper. “We had no problems at all with them. We cut one set to try and get some heat inside the rubber, and they worked an absolute treat. I’m delighted with the record and, if we can do it safely, we will try and break the record again at the Autosport show, and I’ll use Avon tyres then, too.”

Cooper’s plan is to carry out a trial run in the Autosport show’s Live Arena on January 10 to determine whether the track, which is a slightly different shape compared with that he has used previously, will be a safe location for a new record attempt.

The record set in December was a joint effort supported by Autocar magazine and the Autosport International show. It will be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for approval and certification.