Eight manufacturers to contest Formula E in second season
The Federation Internationale de lAutomobile has today revealed the eight manufacturers who will enter the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship in season two – further increasing the series credentials as a test bed for the development of electric vehicle technology. For the inaugural 2014/2015 season, the 10 Formula E teams all compete using identical single-seaters – the Spark-Renault SRT_01E – utilising a powertrain by McLaren Electronic Systems. From the 2015/2016 season, the series will become an open championship allowing manufacturers to pursue their own in-house innovations, beginning with the development of bespoke powertrains. Michelin is currently the tyre supplier to the series, alongside global supply partner Protyre Motorsport, as well as a founding partner. Having started in Beijing last year, the first season ends in Central London, with a circuit expected to be formed within Battersea Park to host the final two rounds.
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Wandsworth Council green lights London Formula E circuit
The London finale of the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship has received planning approval from Wandsworth Council. The race will be held on 27 and 28 June within the grounds of Battersea Park, a location which should, in the middle of summer, present an appropriately effulgent capital for the end of the series’ first season. An additional race will also be added to the London ePrix, increasing the inaugural calendar by one additional race to 11. Series founding partner Michelin will provide control tyres for both rounds, continuing in its role as Formula E official tyre supplier.
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Terry Rymer joins GTC Motorcycle
Guildford Tyre Company has announced that the company will launch GTC Motorcycle this April. The new business will be headed up by Terry Rymer, the ex-double World Champion. Rymer joins GTC Motorcycle with a lifetime of experience in the motorcycle industry. In his role of business development manager, he will use his contacts to increase […]
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Toyo retained as control tyre for 2015 Production GTi Championship
The BRSCC Teekay Couplings Production Mk2 GTi Championship will run on Toyo tyres again in its 2015 season. The Toyo R888 will be used as control tyre for all competitors in both the Mk2 and the new Mk5 GTi sister race package, which will run alongside the Mk2 series.
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Tyre suppliers face varied winter conditions on Rally Sweden
Round two of the 2015 Rally World Championship provided testing conditions for the four tyre suppliers – Michelin, Dmack, Pirelli and Hankook – allowing tyre characteristics to take centre stage. Ice, fresh and melting snow, mud and frozen dirt, meant that studs were employed for winter traction - 384 in each Michelin X-Ice North 3, for example. However, this meant that carrying extra tyres made for faster running, Jacques Morelli, manager of Michelin’s World Rally Championship programme, explained.
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Avon to supply 3D Ultra Xtreme tyres to Thundersport Aprilia RRV450GP Challenge
Avon has been appointed control tyre supplier to the Thundersport GB Aprilia RRV450GP race series. The manufacturer will supply its road-legal 3D Ultra Xtreme track tyres as the official dry race tyre, as well as racing wet tyres, in sizes 120/70ZR17 (front) and180/55ZR17 (rear).
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Zircotec in technical partnership with Strakka Racing
World Endurance Championship LMP2 entrant Strakka Racing has entered technical partnership with coatings specialists Zircotec. Strakka, currently co-developing the new Strakka Dome S103 car, will be able to access a range of thermal management products and be among the first to trial new technologies emanating from Zircotec’s research projects. In return, Zircotec will receive real world test data to understand how its coatings perform in high performance endurance applications.
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Zircotec continues Andrew Jordan partnership
British Touring Car Championship team Triple Eight Race Engineering, the current title holder, will receive technical support from heat management expert, Zircotec. The coatings specialist will continue its support of 2013 drivers’ champion Andrew Jordan as he makes a return to his former team.
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NGK continues motorsport involvement with M-Sport, Ferrari
NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd. has a long partnership with M-Sport and Marko Wowczyna, automotive director at NGK, has announced its continuation into the next season. “We are delighted to be continuing our successful relationship with M-Sport and after this encouraging start we look forward to helping the team throughout 2015.”
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Dmack launches WRC 2 title defence with two Ford Fiesta R5s
Drive DMACK, the current WRC 2 teams world champion run by the authorised tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship, will defend its title in 2015 with two Ford Fiesta R5s. Returning driver Jari Ketomaa will start at Rally Sweden, while Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy winner Sander Pärn will make the step up to WRC 2 at Rally Portugal. In terms of its tyre supply deal, Dmack said that it will provide a complete range of upgraded tyres this season, featuring evolved construction and compound specifications to boost performance across all surfaces.
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Yokohama confirms Top Gear Live supply deal
Yokohama has signed a deal to become the official tyre supplier for the 2015 Top Gear Live UK Tour. Yokohama tyres will be used on all vehicles featured during the five-venue tour. Commenting, Yokohama HPT Ltd managing director David Seward said: “I am delighted that Yokohama has been confirmed as official tyre supplier for the 2015 Top Gear Live UK Tour. The series of events really brings the television series to life and I am sure that our products will deliver the performance that the drivers require on every level.”
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Toyota returns to World Rally Championship
Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) will return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2017 with a car developed and built entirely at its technical centre in Cologne. Over the next two years TMG will continue its test programme with the Yaris WRC in preparation for a return to the series in which it won four drivers and three manufacturers world championships in the 1990s.
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Yokohama to follow F4 success with further grassroots motorsport
Though Yokohama will not supply tyres to the 2015 BRDC Formula 4 Championship, its success in the championship’s beginnings were proven by George Russell’s McLaren Autosport BRDC award. Now the UK distributor of Yokohama’s high performance and motorsport tyres has confirmed its commitment to young motorsport drivers on the first rung of the ladder.
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