Michelin targeting fastest-growing SUV tyre segment with Latitude Sport 3
Although only launched into the European replacement market at the start of the year, Michelin says its Latitude Sport 3 range for SUVs crossovers is earning the company rave reviews. And in addition to a positive response in the aftermarket, the Latitude Sport 3 has been approved for original equipment fitment on a number of vehicles, including the new Porsche Macan, BMW X5 and Volvo XC90.
Continue ReadingScorpion Gravel tyre helps Pirelli to WRC2 podium on WRC return
Pirelli’s all-new Scorpion Gravel tyre helped two cars achieve WRC2 podium finishes on its return to the World Rally Championship, after a three-year absence. Pirelli is supplying tyres on a customer basis to privateers, and Lorenzo Bertelli (13th overall and second in WRC2) in his Ford Fiesta RRC, and Max Rendina (14th overall and third in WRC2) with a Mitsubishi Lancer both achieved top-three places in their class on the new tyre.
Continue ReadingDmack, Tänak speed impresses in Mexico
Dmack’s drivers have shown excellent pace among WRC 2 runners at Rally Guanajuato Mexico. Estonian Ott Tänak set fastest times on every stage he completed at round three of the FIA World Rally Championship, but missed out on victory after an early accident. Heading the Drive DMACK World Rally Team, Tänak set the second fastest overall time on the opening run through the Monster Street Stage in front of tens of thousands of spectators on Thursday evening.
Continue ReadingPirelli expects 2-3 pit stops in Melbourne F1 season opener
Pirelli is beginning its second three-year stint as Formula One’s exclusive tyre supplier in Melbourne, Australia this weekend, having deemed its new P Zero White medium and P Zero Yellow soft compounds the best suited to the street circuit. Slightly harder and more durable than their equivalents last year, Pirelli believes the tyres will offer decreased degradation, having supplied the new tyres to three winter tests in Spain and Bahrain, but conservatively predicts that most cars will stop two-to-three times.
Continue ReadingBahrain, Barcelona, Silverstone in-season tests agreed by Pirelli, F1 teams
Pirelli, the 11 Formula One teams and the FIA have agreed the schedule of the new dedicated tyre testing days (one per team) that each team will undertake within the existing 2014 in-season test calendar. Caterham, Mercedes and Williams will test in Bahrain; Sauber, Toro Rosso, McLaren and Force India in Barcelona; and Ferrari, Lotus, Red Bull and Marussia at Silverstone.
Continue ReadingToyo previews 2014 BRSCC Porsche Championship
Entering its seventh year as series title sponsor and tyre supplier, Toyo Tires says the BRSCC Porsche Championship has seen an encouraging amount of pre-season registrations promising capacity grids for 2014. Using Toyo’s R888 as control tyre for all competitors, the Toyo Tires BRSCC Porsche Championship sees Boxsters and classic 924s battling for supremacy on […]
Continue ReadingToyo backs Isuzu UK works rally team
Toyo Tires will be the technical partner to Isuzu UK for the pick-up truck manufacturer’s team in the Britpart MSA British Cross Country Championship (BCCC) 2014. The deal means the Japanese manufacturer’s motorsport team will supply the Isuzu UK rally team with tyres all season, as well as advising on set-up and usage.
Continue ReadingPirelli takes title sponsorship of 2014 Spanish, Hungarian grands prix
Pirelli has announced an extension to its sponsorship involvement in Formula One. The exclusive tyre supplier will now take title sponsorship of two European grands prix too, taking place in Spain and Hungary. These two rounds will now be titled the Formula 1 Gran Premio De España Pirelli 2014 (May 8-11) and the Formula 1 […]
Continue Reading‘Increased performance gap’ between Pirelli F1 compounds
Following the conclusion of Formula Ones three preseason tests in Bahrain, Pirelli has stated that the characteristics of the 2014 P Zero tyre range were in line with expectations, maintaining similar performance to last year but with less degradation. Pirelli said there had been no blistering and very little graining, while also claiming a reduction in tread wear levels. The results of the final test also showed an increased performance gap between both the hard and the medium compound, and the medium and the soft compound: the two combinations of tyres that will be used at the first four races. Pirelli said this would give plenty of scope for the teams to formulate interesting strategies to boost their race prospects.
Continue ReadingPirelli announces tyre allocations for first four F1 grands prix
Pirelli has announced its first batch of 2014 season Formula One tyre compound allocations following the conclusion of its preseason testing schedule in Bahrain. The P Zero White medium tyre and the P Zero Yellow soft tyre will make four and three appearances respectively, while the P Zero Orange hard tyre will come into play in Malaysia only. The softest tyre in the range, the P Zero Red, designed to be at its most effective on the more twisty circuits made from public roads, will not be used until later in the season.
Continue ReadingGovernment to consult on closed road motorsports
The Motor Sports Association – governing body of four wheel motor sport – has welcomed the launch of a government consultation regarding a proposed change in the law that would allow motor sport events to take place on closed public roads in Britain. The Road Traffic Act states that it is illegal to organise or take part in a race or trial of speed on the public highway, but the MSA has been pushing successive governments to devolve power to local authorities to enable them to suspend the Road Traffic Act without having to resort to an Act of Parliament.
Continue ReadingPirelli to extend Star Driver Scheme
Pirelli has announced the expansion of its Star Driver Scheme, which has previously helped up-and-coming talent such as Elfyn Evans reach the top of world rallying. In a change to the previous on-event selection process, the 2014 MSA British Rally Championship’s Pirelli Star Driver nominations will be awarded to each of the BRC’s five category champions at the end of the season.
Continue ReadingDrivers react to Pirelli 2014 tyres as final testing begins
Entering the final preseason test at Bahrain, commentary from Formula One drivers about the 2014 range of Pirelli tyres has been most noticeable for its comparative scarcity. When drivers have spoken up, their verdicts have been generally indecisive or cautious. Sauber driver Adrian Sutil praised Pirelli’s 2014 Formula One tyres for showing “greater consistency” on the first day of the final test, but has previously been quoted by motorsport news sources bemoaning the tyres’ harder compounds and stiffer constructions.
Continue ReadingPirelli presents F1 tyre range as final pre-season test gets underway in Bahrain
Pirelli has detailed the characteristics of its Formula One tyre 2014 specification as teams begin their final four day preseason test in Bahrain. The compounds and construction have generally been made stiffer across the range, while the Cinturato Blue wet tyre has increased its water dispersal by five litres per second.
Continue ReadingNankang driver is 2013 Japanese MSC Challenge champion
Nankang Tire sponsored driver Yokoi Masashi became the 2013 MSC Challenge on 18 January. One of the popular motor sport events in Japan, the MSC Challenge is composed of 10 competitions with the final championship was held on 18 January 2014.
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