Andrew is an editor for WhatTyre, Tyrepress, and Tyres & Accessories magazine. He has more than a decade of experience in editing, writing, and journalism.
Michelin has introduced a new 540/80 R38 size in its CrossGrip tyre range for loaders, telehandlers and small tractors. The new model is the largest size in this all-season range, which is suitable for applications on road, grass and snow. The new CrossGrip fitment expands the range to 13 dimensions for original equipment and replacement fitment.
The GT Radial 2021 Fun Cup Endurance Championship car was piloted by vlogger and esports gamer Jimmy Broadbent and director at Tegiwa Imports, Luke Sedzikowski at Oulton Park. The pair finished 10th in the one-hour sprint race, but exited the four-hour race after an hour and 34 minutes due to gearbox failure in the penultimate rounds of the 2021 championship. Nevertheless, Broadbent’s 25-minute video detailing his participation at the event has racked up more than 135,000 views so far, demonstrating the Giti brand’s social media strategy for the series.
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has launched its 2022 Awards. The IMI is calling for nominations for individuals and organisations that have excelled in meeting the last two years’ challenges. The Patron’s Award meanwhile aims to put the spotlight on an individual or organisation that has gone above and beyond in the last two years to support their local community. “There is no question that the events of 2020 and 2021 have challenged everyone involved in automotive”, explained Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI. Nominations can be made via this link.
The fifth consecutive FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship (WMX) title was won on Dunlop tyres on Saturday, 23 October. New Zealander Courtney Duncan was crowned champion for the third time in as many years. Eddy Seel, event leader MXGP, Dunlop, said he is “proud of Dunlop’s track record in this increasingly competitive championship.”
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen opened up a 12-point gap at the top of the Formula 1 Drivers Championship after an intensely tactical two-stop race against Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton at Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas. Verstappen switched from the Pirelli P Zero Yellow medium tyre to the P Zero White hard tyre on lap 11, with a successful ‘undercut’ to gain the lead from his rival, who stopped three laps later. Mario Isola – head of F1 and car racing at Pirelli said that the two drivers had used “exactly the same” pre-race tyre allocation in different ways to produce a “thrilling finale between two drivers absolutely on top of their game.”
The vice chairman of Giti Group, Cherie Nursalim, has become the Indonesian government’s special advisor on climate. In addition to her leadership role at Giti Tire, Nuralim is also the vice chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and board member of Publicis Groupe in France, IMAGINE Collective with Paul Polman, and Partnering for Green Growth (P4G).
Maxam Tire North America has made its MS503 L5 tyre available in 875/65R29. The OTR and industrial tyre specialist says it is the only L5 aggressive high-traction tread pattern tyre in the industry available in this size.
Maxam Tire Latin America (LATAM) will acquire and control the full equity interest in the LATAM Joint Venture (JV) on 31 October 2021. The 2015 JV was previously in place with Gustavo Lima and Marco Zigni and structured to expand the Maxam brand in the region via strategic partnership.
Monday’s tyre test at France’s Paul Ricard circuit heralded the conclusion of Pirelli’s initial development programme for 18-inch Formula 1 tyres. Alpine’s Daniil Kvyat was in the seat for the wet test, finishing a programme disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The flagship global motorsport series will switch to the new low-profile tyres in 2022, shifting away from the 13-inch tyres currently used. Pirelli calls this move a technical revolution and has devoted an intense period of research and development to the change, with indoor and outdoor testing. The manufacturer will now tweak the tyre based on 2022-specification car testing.
Engine management and ignition specialist SMP Europe has appointed Martin Turner as its new marketing director. He will oversee all commercial and product marketing activities with suppliers, buying groups and distributors, and be involved in research and analysis activities to define and establish SMP Europe’s strategies. Turner was previously internet sales manager at the company.
Two British Truck Racing Championship podium finishes and a fastest lap at Pembrey mean Giti Tire’s Martin Gibson will enter the final race weekend at Brands Hatch just five points behind the leader. His partner at Giti Tire Motorsport, Stuart Oliver overcame no less than three in-race collisions and still managed to secure both a first and second place finish across the five races.
Cooper Tire Europe has presented a unique Rally Sprint event at the 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting in a new partnership. Delayed since March 2020, the eagerly awaited Members’ Meeting took place on 16-17 October. The Goodwood Rally Sprint Presented by Cooper Tires showcased Cooper’s rallying heritage with a spectacular selection of World Rally Championship (WRC) machinery. It is currently a supplier to the North American Rally Championship and the Mobil Rally Chile, as well as being the sole tyre supplier to the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the sister FIA European Rallycross Championship.
Terratoura A/T ambassador Edd Cobley has won the British Cross Country Championship’s Modified Production class. The off-road rally legend added the title to his collection with a brave performance at Walters Arena in Neath, South Wales. Cobley ran his self-built custom Land Rover Defender 110 – nicknamed Skippy 2.0 – on the Terratoura A/T throughout the championship, competing against competitors on Kevlar-reinforced specialist rally tyres.
NFDA Northern Ireland has responded to Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure’s consultation on proposals to carry out MOT tests every two years. Sue Robinson, NFDA NI chief executive said that moving to biennial testing “is not the correct solution to the issues currently facing the NI Testing Scheme.” She said that the solution to current capacity issues should not come “at the expense of road safety.” The proposals were put forward earlier this year with the region’s MOT testing capacity struggling to keep pace with demand.
Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association, has warned that record pump prices are almost certain to be eclipsed before the end of October. The current record prices of 142ppl for petrol and 148ppl for diesel were set in April 2012. Experian Catalist UK averages for 19 October were 141.35ppl and 144.84ppl respectively.
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