Dunlop brothers join Metzeler for road racing season
Michael and William Dunlop have chosen to join Metzeler for the road racing season, in a line-up that includes Guy Martin and Josh Brookes. The brand’s tyres will be present on machinery from five different manufacturers: Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and BMW.
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Cooper supported FIA World Rallycross launches
The FIA World Rallycross Championship 2014 has been launched at the Franciacorta International Circuit in Brescia, Italy. The six permanent two car teams were present at the venue, which is new to the championship, as well as some of the individual Supercar entries, Euro RX and RX Lites competitors, revealing driver line ups and liveries ahead of the opening round in Montalegre, Portugal on 4-5 May. The series, which also announced that it would be televised around the world by 30 different broadcasters, including British Eurosport in the UK, announced that it will be supplied by Cooper tyres earlier in the year.
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Yokohama returns as BRDC F4 control tyre supplier
New and returning drivers in what is described as being one of the world’s most cost-effective single seat motorsport categories are heading to Silverstone this weekend for the opening rounds of the 2014 BRDC Formula 4 Championship. As was the case during last year’s inaugural season, the control tyre for 2014 will be provided by Yokohama.
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Pirelli hails F1 tyre longevity on tough Shanghai circuit
The strength of the P Zero White medium tyre following a start in which most used the soft P Zero Yellow allowed the top 15 to complete two stops only on the demanding Shanghai circuit, Pirelli said. Formula One’s exclusive tyre supplier had anticipated increased wear as a result of very long corners and high G-forces, but the 2014 tyres’ increased durability allowed Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton to use a two pit stop strategy to win, following a long second stint.
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Hankook continues European F3 tyre supply deal, as series begins at Silverstone
Hankook has confirmed that it will continue as the exclusive supplier to the FIA Formula 3 European Championship in 2014. The manufacturer will provide its Ventus brand tyres to competitors in 33 races over 11 weekends, supporting such series as the Hankook-supplied DTM. The season began at Silverstone with 30 drivers competing for 12 teams.
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Pirelli announces Spain, Monaco, Canada tyre nominations
Pirelli has nominated the tyres that will be used in the grands prix of Spain, Monaco and Canada. The latter GPs will provide the first sighting of the exclusive Formula One tyre supplier’s softest compound, the P Zero Red supersoft slick.
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Tyre strategy becoming ‘a bigger factor’ in F1 2014 – Hembery
Two grands prix into the 2014 Formula One season, Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery believes that tyre strategy is already becoming “a bigger factor”. Much of the pre- and early-season analysis has focused on the new powertrains and regulations introduced into F1 this season, while Pirelli has been careful to provide harder, more conservative tyres to compensate for the concentration devoted to engineering the substantially altered F1 cars. However, the occasion of the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai, where the P Zero White medium and P Zero Yellow soft tyres will be used, provides an early opportunity for teams to apply what they have learned so far to using the Italian manufacturer’s tyres more strategically.
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Bentley and Olympic gold medallist boost Avon Tyres British GT 2014 at Oulton Park
British GT title sponsor and tyre supplier Avon will fit its rubber to two teams’ Bentley Continental GT3s as the championship returns at Cheshire’s Oulton Park over Easter bank holiday. More than 30 cars will take to the capacity grid for the season opener, with Bentley’s return to full-time motor racing a highlight. Another is the presence of an Olympic gold medallist, competing with Nissan Academy Team RJN.
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British firm wins multi-year Japanese Super Formula transmissions contract
British parts supplier Ricardo has announced a multi-year deal as the sole source of racing transmissions for the Japanese Super Formula series. Mark Barge, managing director, Ricardo Performance Products comments: “Ricardo has a long standing relationship within Japanese motorsport further underpinning our reputation for designing, manufacturing and assembling high performance racing transmissions, combining technology and quality to provide highly competitive and highly durable transmission solutions to our partners around the world.”
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Hankook Ventus Race, Race Plus set for DTM 30th anniversary year
2014 marks touring car series DTM’s 30th anniversary, and exclusive tyre supplier Hankook will again equip teams with two models of Ventus racing tyre. The Korean manufacturer says that enhanced vehicles and new regulations promise great excitement, while new races in Hungary and China add new challenges for participants. Each car will use both tyres, with a single pit stop, meaning the softer Ventus Race Plus can only be used for a maximum of half the racing distance. Hankook has completed its winter testing programme for the series and is satisfied by the results.
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Hankook replaces Dunlop as 24H Series title sponsor
Endurance racing event series the 24H Series has a new title sponsor. Hankook Tire replaces Dunlop in this role and serves as exclusive partner for what is now called the 24H Series powered by Hankook. The tyre maker will also lend its name to various events held during the season, such as ‘Hankook 12H Zandvoort’, ‘Hankook 12H Hungary’, ‘Hankook 24H Dubai’ and ‘Hankook 12H Italy-Mugello’. The 24H Series includes endurance race events for GTs, touring cars and 24H Specials, and depending on weather and track conditions, Hankook will supply endurance tyres from the Ventus Race slick or rain range.
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Bridgestone and Valentino Rossi go back to their roots in new short film
Bridgestone and motorcycle racing legend Valentino Rossi recently came together near the nine-time world champion’s home in Tavullia, Italy to collaborate on a promotional film that celebrates their winning partnership. The film showcases how both the tyre maker and Valentino ‘share’ a winning DNA, starting out from humble beginnings before going on to become leaders in the world of motorsport. Viewers are taken on a dramatic journey with both Bridgestone and Rossi, integrating historic and current footage that highlights their shared values and joint successes.
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