BTCC renews Dunlop supply deal

Dunlop has confirmed its reappointment as official tyre supplier by the MSA British Touring Car Championship. This extends the sole-supplier partnership that began in 2003, and continues a relationship between Dunlop and the BTCC that can be traced back to the championship’s creation in 1958.

The new multi-year contract will see Dunlop continue to supply all teams with Sport Maxx Soft, Medium and Hard compounds and BluResponse Wet tyres. The Soft and Medium tyre choice will be taken to all circuits apart from Thruxton, where the Sport Maxx Hard tyre will be exclusively used. The BTCC says the introduction of the Soft option tyre, which has to be used in one of the three races at each event, has been well received by teams and fans this year.

“The BTCC is one of the most prestigious and important championships in Europe. We are delighted to be re-appointed as Official Tyre Supplier,” stated James Bailey, motorsport communications and marketing director, Dunlop Europe. “The introduction of the Dunlop Sport Maxx Soft option tyre has introduced a new strategic variable, and shows our continued commitment to innovating in this championship, following the introduction of RFID tyre tagging in 2009 and the development of the New Generation Touring Car tyre in 2010.”

Dunlop successes in 2013 include winning the Nürburgring 24h with Mercedes AMG and the LMP2 class at Le Mans 24h for the third year in a row. “The two 24h race wins were a great way to celebrate our 125th anniversary, and the continuation of the BTCC supply shows our commitment to supporting top level motorsport,” added Bailey.

BTCC series director and administrator Alan Gow commented: “Dunlop have been our tyre-supplier since 2003 – and certainly wouldn’t still be today unless they were a responsive, enthusiastic manufacturer of the highest quality race tyres. Our partnership has been incredibly close and mutually rewarding….to be honest, the BTCC just wouldn’t feel the same without the great team at Dunlop Motorsport supporting us and we are delighted to extend our partnership further.”