Davanti launches Protoura Race, the brand’s first track tyre

Davanti Tyres has launched its first semi-slick track tyre, the Protoura Race. The tyre, designed to offer the power and handling to achieve podium results, was tested at Applus IDIADA, where the UK brand has developed many of its products, and Calafat Circuit in Spain, as well as at the UK’s Formula One host circuit, Silverstone. Its features include a directional tread pattern for superior wet control, enhanced carcass strength for more driver feedback and control under high cornering forces experienced on race tracks; a new compound to provide the grip required for faster acceleration and harder braking; and a road-legal, semi-slick tread design to allow amateur racers to drive to and from the track. Davanti adds that the tyre will be available in sizes between 13” and 18”.

Davanti Tyres’ general manager Peter Cross comments: “It’s an exciting time for Davanti Tyres as we launch our first ever track tyre, Protoura Race. Now we have a semi-slick track tyre, our performance range offers more options for our specialist retailers and motorists.”

Testing at Spanish, UK circuits

At the Applus IDIADA testing ground the tyre was put through a series of wet and dry handling and braking tests to ensure the tyres performed at the top of their class. As well as varying tests, the tyre was also proved in different vehicles including a Golf GTI TCR race car – for on track testing – and a series of fast road cars including the latest model Golf GTI, to determine on road performance.

Meanwhile, at the Calafat Circuit – using a full race version Golf GTI TCR – Protoura Race’s consistency and performance levels were assessed through varying heat ranges. The tyre was heated and cooled repeatedly over several sessions to determine its suitability for racing and transitioning from the road to the track and back to the road, showing excellent durability.

Back on UK soil at the iconic Silverstone circuit, the Protoura Race was used in a Track Testing Session on the GP circuit to compare the tyres against competitors. Using the professional TSL timing and qualification standings, it was possible to benchmark the advantage of using Protoura Race against similar cars and through other drivers giving further validation to the results and test process.

Ray Collier, managing director and chief engineer of TREAD, the independent testing organisation that tested the new tyre with Davanti, added: “The result of this stringent testing is a tyre that is best in class for consistency, reliability and speed. It has been tuned for progressive handling to give drivers ultimate control, and the ability to withstand changes in temperatures while performing consistently without substantial wearing, allowing the tyre to be driven on from the track to the road repeatedly.”

Cross concluded: “The testing we’ve undertaken with Protoura Race cannot be understated and is something we are incredibly proud of. From the IDIADA facilities in Spain to iconic motor racing circuits such as Silverstone and Spain’s Calafat Circuit, the Protoura Race has proved its capabilities in tricky conditions and challenging apexes. It’s thanks to our rigorous development process we can offer a tyre that is genuinely engineered to win.”