Michelin highlighting historic ranges at Le Mans Classic

Michelin is participating as a partner to the Le Mans Classic, a biennial event that attracts more than 110,000 historic motorsport and classic car fans and gets underway today at the Circuit de la Sarthe in France. During the four-day event, the tyre maker will present its latest historic motorsport and classic car tyre collection, as well as provide advice to owners of the participating cars, a collection of vehicles that includes numerous cars Michelin has equipped for the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race over the years.

“The Le Mans Classic is the perfect place for us to present our range and showcase our know-how. Thanks to the presence of official owner clubs that represent the industry’s most prestigious makes, this event has become a major fixture on the international historic motorsport and classic car calendar,” notes Lorenzo Giovanelli, director of Michelin’s Historic Motorsport and Classic Tyres department. “Michelin recently invested in the development and production of a new range which combines the look of tyres of yesteryear with modern technologies to meet the needs of classic car owners.

“Whether the latter drive their prized possession on a daily basis or only display them at club outings, Michelin provides the safety, performance and durability they need,” adds Giovanelli. “Michelin’s historic motorsport and classic car tyres are also designed to resist ageing and to be up and running rapidly even if the car hasn’t been driven for some time. Last but not least, Michelin’s historic motorsport and classic car tyres are individually crafted and inspected, including x-ray checks.”

In addition to making classic car tyres for road use, Michelin has invested in the development of solutions for historic racing and rallying. Its range extends from semi-slicks to patterned tyres and specific covers for wet weather, including the recently introduced Michelin PB20 which is said to be unique in its category. “The recent victory of the N°2 Porsche 911 on the 2016 Cap Corse Historique, in driving rain against the potentially more competitive Lancia 037, testifies to the relevance of Michelin’s range,” the tyre maker comments.

Developing tyres that meet the needs of classic car owners is only part of a comprehensive service that also includes providing advice and distribution. “The activity we have developed for historic motorsport and classic car tyres is worldwide,” says Giovanelli. “We have therefore built up an extensive network founded on connoisseur distributors. We have also developed a bespoke Michelin website to provide information about stock levels and simplify pre-ordering.”