Goodyear signs tyre supply deal with Masters

Several Masters Historic Racing series will compete on Goodyear and Dunlop tyres under a new long-term tyre supply agreement between the tyre maker and UK-based race organiser. Goodyear says this agreement builds on Masters’ longstanding relationships with its Dunlop and Avon brands and marks the reintroduction of the Goodyear name into several championships, including events for Formula 1 and 24 Hours of Le Mans cars.

Established in 2004, Masters currently runs a total of nine race series in the UK, Europe and North America. This race portfolio encompasses a diverse range of events for historically significant cars from 1960s touring cars through to 2010s sports cars.

Goodyear will supply tyres to the Masters Endurance Legends and Masters GT Trophy series from the beginning of 2024 and will manufacture these Goodyear-branded tyres alongside its contemporary FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series LMP2 and LMGT3 tyres. “This will ensure the prototypes and GT cars in the Masters portfolio benefit from the same consistency, performance and durability as the current cars,” Goodyear comments.

The tyre maker will also become the supplier for the Masters Racing Legends series for 1966 to 1985 Formula 1 cars. Goodyear points out that a swag of 368 Grand Prix wins makes it the “most successful manufacturer in the history of Formula 1,” adding that Goodyear “dominated F1 against intense competition from other tyre manufacturers” during the era now spanning the eligibility period for the Masters championship. The newly developed Goodyear F1 tyres will gradually replace the Avon brand in this category.

The existing Dunlop-branded range of cross-ply treaded tyres for historic Pre-66 GT and touring cars will grow to support Masters’ burgeoning grids. According to Goodyear, the Dunlop range “gives truly authentic performance and aesthetics,” complying with the FIA’s Appendix K regulations.

Investment in new sizes & specs

“The historic racing market is becoming increasingly diverse, spanning vintage to very recent cars,” says David Joy, Technical Leader and Sales Account Manager Historic, Goodyear EMEA. “Across our Goodyear and Dunlop brands we have increased the size of our historic tyre portfolio, with an investment in new tyre sizes and specifications, to ensure entrants have the most appropriate and authentic period tyres for their cars. It is a pleasure to commit to a long-term partnership with Masters, who take a forward-thinking approach to historic motorsport.”

“We are extremely pleased to have the long-term commitment of Goodyear across its range of brands,” adds Ron Maydon, President and Founder of Masters Historic Racing. “This new agreement gives confidence in tyre supply to our Masters customers, as well as historic racing in general. We are proud to have the most successful tyre company in the history of both F1 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a partner.”