Conti’s Testing Facility Turns 40

Continental has marked the 40th anniversary of the opening of their main test track in northern Germany. The facility, known as the Contidrom, initially consisted of a high-speed oval circuit with two straight measuring tracks when it opened in 1967. In later years more tracks have been added to the Contidrom in order to meet the higher demands placed upon more modern tyres.

Built in order to provide a sole location for testing that beforehand had been conducted on public roads, at airports and on closed pass roads, the original oval circuit is more than 2.8 kilometres long and features a 58-degree bank, permitting speeds of up to 180 km/h (112 mph) without encountering lateral forces. The maximum speed permitted on the circuit is more than 250km/h, an unimaginable speed for most motorists in 1967 and still sufficient for testing modern road-legal high performance tyres.

During the Contidrom’s four decades of operation more than a million care tyres and 100,000 truck tyres have been tested at the facility, a volume that has necessitated the building of additional and more specialised testing courses. A wet handling course was added in 1972 and a ‘large handling course’ designed for vehicles with high-power engines and modern suspension opened in 1995. A 600 metre off-road track was added to the Contidrom’s facilities in 2003.

To cope with the ever-increasing volume of tests and to offer external and internal customers suitable facilities, further investment in infrastructure was made last year. Since the start of the 2007 season, four more workshop and office areas have been made available, together with a guest canteen. In addition to remaining a key testing facility for Continental, the Contidrom also today plays host to numerous events such as safety forums and open days. In fact the German tyremaker sees the Contidrom as much more than just a test track – it is, according to Conti, a ‘calling card for the Continental Corporation.’