Michelin helps Drayson to EV land speed record

Michelin’s LMP1 tyres, which helped Audi’s hybrid car to victory in the 90th Le Mans 24 hour race, have been put to record-breaking use by Lord Drayson. Drayson Racing Technologies’ B12 69/EV electric Le Mans Prototype set a new electric land speed record, smashing the previous 40 year-old 175mph record by 29.2mph. The record-breaking run took place at Elvington Airfield near York on the evening of 25 June, 2013.

Earlier this month Michelin announced a strategic partnership with Drayson Racing Technologies and breaking the World Electric Land Speed Record for a car weighing less than 1,000kg by posting an average of 204.185mph over two runs completed within one hour is a suitably spectacular way to kick off this alliance. The Michelin tyres were confidential-specification LMP1 tyres which have been developed for the sustained high speeds encountered in endurance racing, designed in association with leading global endurance racing teams. The sizes were 33/68-18 on the front axle and 37/71-18 on the rear.

The tyre design chosen for the record attempt offered performance characteristics optimised for the conditions of the challenge. Michelin says the tyres exemplify its Total Performance ethos by managing to combine low rolling resistance to reduce battery drain; high traction levels to enable the car to accelerate to maximum speed as quickly as possible; good stability to enable the car to safely run with minimal down-force; and excellent braking performance to ensure the car could be stopped safely before the end of the runway.

This isn’t the first record for an electric vehicle fitted with Michelin tyres. In 1899 La Jamais Contente broke the 100km/h barrier fitted with the Company’s pneumatic tyres when most cars were still running on solid tyres.