2009 - Page 188 of 205 - Tyrepress

Masters of Formula Three Return to Zandvoort

Having spent the last two years just over the Belgian border at the Zolder racing circuit, the Masters of Formula Three will be returning to Circuit Park, Zandvoort this year. The prestigious event, in which the strongest racers from the British Formula Three Championship and the Formula Three Euro Series compete, was held for the first time at the Zandvoort circuit in 1991. Following a decision by the Dutch Supreme Court in 2007, the race had to be held at Zolder due to noise levels affecting local residences. However, with new measures in place, the 19th running of the Masters of Formula 3 will be back at its spiritual home on 13 and 14 June, 2009.

The international meeting is closely watched by teams from the GP2 series, the World Series by Renault, A1GP and Formula One. Among others, David Coulthard, Lewis Hamilton and Jos Verstappen all made it into Formula One, boosted by their victories in the Masters of Formula 3.

27th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

‘Stash of Cash’ Found Within Tyre

Given the current state of our banks it is hardly surprising that people may consider alternative places to safe keep their valuables – inside the mattress is a tried and proven location, and numerous other spots around the house may also serve nicely as an ersatz safety deposit box. But inside a tyre? It’s probably not a great idea…

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Free Tyres Offered to Lure Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Competitors

Motorsport is admittedly not the cheapest of pastimes, but at least competitors taking part in this year’s Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship will not have so many worries about tyre costs. Pirelli, in conjunction with the Association of National Championship Rally Organisers (ANCRO) has announced that all registered competitors will be eligible to receive four brand new Pirelli tyres, completely free of charge. This decision has been taken, say the organisers, in a bid to tempt competitors to contest the eight-round national series.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

‘Ledbetter’ Discrimination Bill Almost Ready for Obama’s Approval

A piece of legislation stemming from a pay dispute involving Goodyear was passed by the US Senate on January 22. It now only needs approval from the House of Representatives before it reaches Barack Obama’s desk for signing.

The Senate passed the bill after a 61-36 vote, and an article posted on the White House blog on Sunday indicates the president supports it. The bill could well become the first that President Obama signs into law. If so, it will overturn a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that said former Goodyear supervisor Lilly Ledbetter could not sue for wage discrimination after being paid less than male employees performing the same job as she had not filed her suit within 180 days after the company first acted in discriminatory manner. The legislation will instead allow aggrieved workers to sue after the most recent discriminatory payment received, not the first one.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dr. Hippe’s Departure from Continental Announced

Continental AG has officially confirmed media reports surrounding the future of Dr. Alan Hippe. According to a press release issued following the company’s January 24 Supervisory Board meeting, Hippe, who is currently chairman of the Executive Board, CFO and head of Conti’s Rubber Group, will leave Continental AG as of February 28. Continental says the decision on Dr. Hippe’s departure is a mutually agreed one, and his successor will be appointed in the coming weeks.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear South Africa MD Announces Retirement

After more than three decades in the industry the managing director of Goodyear South Africa is to retire. Derek de Villiers, 61, will be replaced in April by current Dunlop Germany managing director Jean-Jacques Wiroth.

The appointment was announced by Goodyear’s Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region president Michel Rzonzef. “Derek has been a strong leader for many years, both in South Africa and the Middle East. He is highly regarded by his peers both inside and outside the company. We thank him for his very considerable contributions,” said Rzonzef, paying tribute to de Villers’ 34 years with the company.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kisby’s Easy Autocentres Acquires 27 HiQ Outlets

A number of HiQ fast fit premises have been taken over by Chris Kisby’s Easy Autocentres. A total of 27 centres are included in the deal, including the company’s flagship Nottingham outlet. Following the acquisition from Goodyear Dunlop, Easy Autocentres is set to become one of the Midland region’s largest fast fit operators, with a turnover of around £10 million.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Achieves ISO Certification in Hungary

Hankook Tire has announced that its European facility, located in Rácalmás, near Dunaújváros, Hungary, has achieved full ISO-certification. The certification attained by the plant includes both the factory’s Quality Management System, certified according to ISO/TS 16949:2002 as well as its Environmental Management System certification according to EN ISO 14001:2004. The plant’s 1,200 employees, adds Hankook, are now producing a daily capacity of 15,000 tyres (5 million per annum), and manufacturing over 300 different sizes for European passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New HiQ Director Appointed

Career Tracks, UK News

Goodyear Dunlop has announced the appointment of new HiQ director Juergen Titz, the man who masterminded the successful Goodyear Dunlop ‘4Fleet Group GmbH’ fleet business division in Germany. Titz has also been responsible for leading Goodyear Dunlop Europe´s consumer fleet activities as well as its European Retail approaches. In total, he has 11 years experience within the Goodyear Dunlop group, and has been a key advisor in the growth of the HiQ franchise programme as part of his pan-European role. He will now move to the UK on a full-time basis with his wife and two children.

Mark Brickhill, Group managing director, stated, “Juergen’s experience of fleet management and retail development across Europe will play a key role in Goodyear Dunlop’s drive to grow our own HiQ National Franchise Programme in the UK [covered extensively on Tyrepress.com throughout 2008]. The continued growth of HiQ is a core element of our vision to build strong retail and servicing partnerships across the country”

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Opens New Thailand Test Track

January 22 marked the official opening of Bridgestone’s all-new proving ground in Thailand. It is less than two years since Thai Bridgestone Co. Ltd received official from the Thailand Board of Investment to go ahead with construction at the site in Ayutthaya, some 70 kilometres north of Bangkok, and in that time a range of facilities have been built on the 53 hectare site. Amenities include a 3.3 kilometre oval track and a 5-hectare site for testing control, balancing and handling. A wet performance section and a surface course featuring road conditions encountered in various locations around the world has also been constructed to facilitate the development and testing of tyres for other markets.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Australian Pirelli Motorcycle Tyre Distributor Named

Australian based motorcycle parts and accessories importer and distributor Link International has been granted Australian distribution rights to the Pirelli motorcycle tyre range. Pirelli thus joins a product portfolio that includes Thailand’s Vee Rubber plus a number of motorcycle component brands including Motul Oils, RK Chains, Ferodo Brake Pads, JT Sprockets, Excel Rims and Polisport Plastics. Distribution of the Pirelli motorcycle range begins on February 2, 2009.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Signs MotoGP Supply Deal

Bridgestone has confirmed that it has signed the final contract with Dorna to become the official tyre supplier for the MotoGP class in the FIM MotoGP World Championship for a three-year period commencing with the 2009 season. This follows a tender process which took place in 2008. The agreement covers the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons where all MotoGP competitors will use Bridgestone tyres exclusively.

In 2007 Ducati rider Casey Stoner was the first competitor to win the title using Bridgestone tyres, whilst Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi won last season’s title on the Japanese manufacturer’s rubber. CEO of Dorna Carmelo Ezpeleta, said, “Bridgestone is a company with a fantastic reputation and they make an outstanding contribution to motorsport. We strongly believe that this new agreement is very positive as it will simultaneously reduce costs and increase competition in MotoGP.”

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper’s Fuel Saver

Among the tyres on show on the Cooper stand was the Cooper GFE. The initials stand for Greater Fuel Efficiency and it is the company’s first low-rolling resistance touring tyre. Compared to the Cooper GSE, rolling resistance is improved by 21 per cent.

The GFE is designed to reduce rolling resistance without sacrificing tread life or traction. This “green” tyre combines state-of-the-art mixing technology together with an enhanced polymer system and silica tread compound, to provide exceptional wear, fuel economy, improved wet traction and a smooth, quiet ride.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli’s New All-Rounder

Hugh Pace, chairman and CEO of Pirelli Tyre North America, introduced the latest tyre dedicated to the North American market; the Z-rated P Zero Nero All Season. The tyre incorporates a silica-based compound and the asymmetric tread features a solid centre rib for optimum braking and acceleration, while four longitudinal and numerous lateral grooves minimises the risk of aquaplaning. Low rolling resistance maximises fuel economy and the two zero degree nylon cap plies and steel belts minimise footprint deformation under extreme handling conditions.

The P Zero Nero All Season has a growing list of OE homologations and the tyre is available in almost 30 sizes, including a number of runflat dimensions. It is manufactured at Pirelli’s factory in Rome, Georgia, using the company’s Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) technology.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Gives Visitors The Needle

Visitors to the Dunlop Stand could take away a permanent reminder of the Sema show, as the tyre manufacturer was offering what was surely one of the more bizarre attractions of any exhibition – a tattooing service.

On the tyre side, a great deal of interest was generated by Dunlop’s latest uhp summer tyre, the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec. Described as “the tyre for hard-core driving enthusiasts and car club members”, the new tyre features a special compound, Dunlop Jointless Band Technology and a high-response directional tread pattern with circumferential grooves. These elements help improve grip, create a consistent contact patch and maintain the tyre’s structural integrity at high speeds.

The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is available in 20 sizes for fitment to most of today’s most popular amateur motorsports vehicle choices. Rim sizes are from 15″ to 18″, aspect ratios from 55 series down to 35 and the tyre is V- and W-speed rated

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

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