Dunlop Unveils New V8 Series Tyre

Dunlop is set to improve the sustainability of tyres supplied for the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series by introducing a synthetic material into the polymer binding agent of the tyre compound, replacing the oil-based additive.

Dunlop’s V8 Supercar operations manager Kevin Fitzsimons explained to journalists that the change represents the only significant alteration to the tyre’s makeup since the company introduced its control tyre in 2002, and that the switch would not affect adversely the tyre’s level of performance.

The tyre will be introduced at the Hidden Valley Stage in Darwin – Round Six of 14 – which takes place between 4-6 July. Dunlop commenced its third consecutive contract to supply the V8 Series this year, and will continue to do so until at least 2012. Fitzsimons states that the control tyre has “4mm of tread and a contact patch of 80mm, and is designed and tested to control a 1.5 tonne V8 Supercar capable of 620 horsepower at 7,500 rpm with a top speed of 295km per hour in temperatures of up to 120°C.”