Micheldever, GT Radial host UK dealers to test current tyre range at Portimão

Micheldever Tyre Services and Giti Tire gave UK GT Radial Performance Centre (GTPC) dealers the opportunity to test the brand’s latest tyres to the limit during their recent Ride and Drive event in Portimão, Portugal. Held at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve circuit at the start of September, dealers were able to drive on the celebrated race track on the GT Radial SportActive 2 ultra-high performance tyre, as well as testing the handling and off-road capabilities respectively of the brand’s FE2 and Savero SUV.

The GT Radial SportActive 2 was fitted to the Mercedes AMG A45S, BMW M3, and Honda Civic Type R for the Racetrack Experience. All attendees were invited to experience fast laps in the passenger seats with talented drivers from Giti Tire’s testing facility at Mira. A Toyota GT86 rolling on the GT Radial FE2 gave dealers the chance to participate in the Handling Experience, while the GT Radial Savero SUV on the Mitsubishi L200, VW Amarok, BMW X1 and X2 was used for the Off-Road Experience.

Micheldever Tyre Service (MTS) guests with MTS and Giti support staff at GT Radial’s Ride and Drive event in Portimão, Portugal (Photo: Giti Tire)

Darren Peacock of Northern Battery Service in Huddersfield said: “The experience and performance of the tyres was unbelievable. The trip was also very educational and I have met a fantastic bunch of people too.”

“Running a tyre shop it helps to have confidence in a product, and with the GT Radial SportActive 2 we have just this,” added Stuart Ellis of Romsey Fastfit. “As our now main selling tyre, and thanks to its competitive price, performance and wide range of sizes it keeps our customer base extremely happy.”

Brian McDermott, country manager – UK for Giti Tire, said: “After an enforced two-year hiatus it’s great to back at one of Europe’s best circuits with some of our most dedicated GT Radial stockists. The feedback was nothing but positive, not only for the driving but having access to the whole Giti team.

“When dealers have the opportunity to take our tyres to the very limit of their capabilities it gives them the utmost confidence to recommend and fit them for their customers. Our tyres’ performance across all four driving experiences was nothing short of fantastic.”

All GT Radial tyres are engineered by Giti Tire’s European Research & Development Centre in Hannover, Germany.

Stefan Fischer, managing director – product technology and Fabio Pecci-Boriani, senior product manager PCR, SUV, Light Truck for Giti Tire (Europe) delivered an in-depth presentation covering several innovation topics.

Advanced Wet Technology, Ultra-Low Rolling Resistance Technology, Virtual Development and Eco-Sustainability were all addressed, giving attendees a thorough oversight of how the GT Radial range will develop over forthcoming generations.