Goodyear throws its weight behind European truck racing

Some 80 million television viewers around the world are said to watch the FIA European Truck Racing Championship, and in 2011 Goodyear is continuing its commitment to the sport by supplying tyres to all 24 participating race trucks. In addition to supplying all teams with specially designed and built Truck Racing tyres, the company will also provide the FIA with technical support at all ten series races. The Goodyear tyres are supplied and serviced by TRO (Truck Racing Organisation), the sole tyre supplier. TRO represents the interests of all teams in the FIA European Truck Racing Championship and its trucks and trailers will attend all races, providing a tyre fitting area in the paddock at each venue. This year sees the introduction of RFID chips in the supplied tyres to enable their systematic electronic monitoring during race weekends.

Competing this year are factory-supported teams from MAN and Renault.  MAN will support up to five teams and Renault is participating with three ‘works’ trucks. The first race of the season took place at Donington Park and saw German driver Markus Oestreich take the championship lead in a Goodyear-shod MKR Renault. The 46-year old, who was fourth in the World Championship last year, won two of the four races and came third in another, giving him 51 points.  Last year’s World Champion, Spaniard Antonio Albacete, driving a MAN, is in third place with 37 points, just behind fellow MAN driver, Uwe Nittel from Germany, who has 39 points.

Goodyear Truck Racing tyres are specifically designed, developed and manufactured to offer superior performance to truck race participants. Size 315/70R22.5 tyres featuring Max Technology casings are used and the tread compound employed is designed to take the excessive heat experienced in racing conditions. In addition, a specific material package protects the tyres against accidental damage and excessive wear.  The specification of the tyres ensures safe performance at up to 170 km/h (105 mph) for a vehicle weighing 6500 kg (14,300 lbs).