![Dmack launches first WRC team as Tänak rejoins](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Cormack-Tanak.jpg)
Dmack launches first WRC team as Tänak rejoins
Tyre manufacturer Dmack has launched its first FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) team, with Estonian driver Ott Tänakat the helm. The Dmack World Rally Team will run a Ford Fiesta RS WRC in close partnership with M-Sport, with the 28-year-old Tänak competing on all 14 rounds of the series. It will be the first time Dmack will compete against the factory teams of Volkswagen and Hyundai in the FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers, and will allow its tyres the opportunity to rub shoulders with Michelin and Pirelli at the top level of the sport.
Continue Reading![Nankang NS-2R to increase championship involvement in 2016](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Nankang_NS-2R.jpg)
Nankang NS-2R to increase championship involvement in 2016
In Nankang’s 50 year history, the tyre manufacturer has gained many landmark technical achievements in high performance tyres; it became the first Taiwanese tyre company to produce W-rated tyres, and 22” and 24” sizes. While the company produces a wide range of sizes for small commuter cars, its eponymous UK distributor enjoys a strong motorsport focus, epitomised by the NS-2R road-legal track tyre.
Continue Reading![Pirelli completes longest ever test on F1 compounds, constructions in Abu Dhabi](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Pirelli-F1test-AD.jpg)
Pirelli completes longest ever test on F1 compounds, constructions in Abu Dhabi
Formula One’s teams have driven more than 6,020km on various development versions of Pirelli’s 2016 range, including the new ultrasoft compound. Over 1084 laps, McLaren’s Stoffel Vandoorne set the best time over the 12 hour non-stop session. The session took place in expected bright sunshine and warm temperatures, starting out at around 24°C ambient (35°C asphalt) and reaching 28°C and 40°C respectively by lunchtime. The next testing session, in which Pirelli will focus on its wet tyres, will take place at Circuit Paul Ricard, France on 25-26 January.
Continue Reading![P Zero Yellow soft Red supersoft compounds for F1’s Abu Dhabi finale](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/19-AbuDhabi-Preview-1k-EN.png)
P Zero Yellow soft Red supersoft compounds for F1’s Abu Dhabi finale
2015’s Formula One calendar concludes at Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi; a venue with which Pirelli is very familiar. The F1 tyre supplier has used the venue for testing, including the world’s first wet-weather test run at night, and a pre-season launch. The smooth asphalt means the softest tyres in the range will be supplied, a combination previously employed at the slowest grand prix, Monaco, and at four other race weekends. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is held from late afternoon into the evening, so track temperatures tend to drop over the course of the race, meaning that the pattern of tyre behaviour is different to normal: another complex variable for teams to factor into their strategy calculations. Pirelli expects a performance gap between the two compounds of 1.0-1.2 seconds per lap.
Continue Reading![Dunlop to support Britcar Endurance relaunch](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Britcar-Endurance-racing.jpg)
Dunlop to support Britcar Endurance relaunch
Dunlop has signed a multi-year agreement to support the new Britcar Endurance package, comprising the Dunlop Endurance Championship and Dunlop Production Championship. Now under new management, the championships will be supported by Dunlop brand and marketing initiatives in addition to running on Dunlop Motorsport tyres. The new management arrangement, in the form of Hedley Cowell […]
Continue Reading![G-Drive Racing wins World Endurance Championship LMP2 on Dunlop](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Dunlop-Bahrain-procession.jpg)
G-Drive Racing wins World Endurance Championship LMP2 on Dunlop
G-Drive’s Roman Rusinov, Sam Bird and Julien Canal claimed the 2015 LMP2 title after winning the final round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Bahrain. Mike McGregor, manager testing & track support, race design & development at Dunlop, said: “Congratulations to G-Drive on the win and the title – it was well deserved. Their strategy worked really well with Sam [Bird] and Pipo [Derani #28] so quick and consistent. We’re delighted for Ligier, Jacques Nicolet and all the G-Drive team. Matt Howson also drove really well today and KCMG put up a really good fight.
Continue Reading![Michelin helps Porsche clinch top endurance honours in Bahrain](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Michelin-6hrsBahrain.jpg)
Michelin helps Porsche clinch top endurance honours in Bahrain
Porsche’s success in the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) has been supported by its tyre partner, Michelin. The Stuttgart marque claimed top prizes in the LM P1 and LM GTE Pro classes this year, following its return to world class endurance racing in 2014 after a year of pressure from fellow Michelin runners Audi (in LM P1) and Ferrari (in LM GTE Pro). Michelin states that it provided tyres developed to meet the specific needs of its different manufacturer teams in the championship, which permits open competition between tyre firms.
Continue Reading![Nissan, Michelin secure 4th GT500 title in 5 years](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Mich-SuperGT2.jpg)
Nissan, Michelin secure 4th GT500 title in 5 years
The NISMO-run Motul Nissan GT-R claimed the Japan’s 2015 Super GT Championship title having finished second at the Motegi GT 250km Race, the championship’s final round. The team ran on Michelin tyres, making this the fourth time in five years that the title has been claimed on the French manufacturer’s rubber.
Continue Reading![‘Considered tyre management’ aids Rosberg in Brazilian victory](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/BrazilGP.jpg)
‘Considered tyre management’ aids Rosberg in Brazilian victory
Nico Rosberg’s “considered approach to tyre management over the course of the whole weekend” was the key to his victory in the Brazilian grand prix, according to Pirelli motorsport director, Paul Hembery. His three-stop strategy, running one stint on the P Zero Yellow soft tyre followed by three remaining stints on the P Zero White […]
Continue ReadingPirelli to test development F1 tyre construction, compound at Abu Dhabi
Following an agreement ratified by the FIA World Council, Pirelli will hold a tyre test in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday 1 December following the final grand prix of the 2015 season. The joint purpose of the session is to develop the new construction to be used for the manufacturer’s 2016 slick tyres and to test the new “ultrasoft” compound, which will form part of the P Zero F1 range next year. The one-day test will take place from 9:00-21:00 continuously.
Continue Reading![Class victories and fraternal competition on Pirelli tyres at Wales Rally GB](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/RallyGB-Moffett.jpg)
Class victories and fraternal competition on Pirelli tyres at Wales Rally GB
One of four World Rally Championship tyre suppliers, Pirelli experienced success in the season-closing Wales Rally GB, as Gianluca Linari won the WRC2 Production class, taking the title too, while Fabio Andolfi finished second in the WRC3 category and won class RC4. The wind and rain pummelled event saw Ford Fiesta RS WRC drivers Robert […]
Continue Reading![Pirelli made sole tyre supplier in new FIA GT World Cup](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Pirelli-GTWorldCup.jpg)
Pirelli made sole tyre supplier in new FIA GT World Cup
Pirelli will supply the tyres to all five manufacturers aiming to become the first ever winner of the FIA GT World Cup. Taking place on 22 November next weekend through the streets of Macau, the inaugural FIA GT World Cup has attracted a 24-car line-up of GT3 machines. The showdown will take place with a 12-lap qualification race on Saturday November 21 and then the World Cup will be decided with an 18-lap (91.8-kilometre) race around the famous Guia Circuit in Macau the next day.
Continue Reading![Dunlop returns as Mini Challenge tyre supplier](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/MiniChallenge.jpeg)
Dunlop returns as Mini Challenge tyre supplier
The organiser of the Mini Challenge championship, Total Track has announced a new multi-year deal to make Dunlop its sole tyre partner from 2016. The single make championship has run since 2002 with a remit for competitive, fair and cost-effective racing.
Continue Reading![Yokohama returns to Macau for 33rd year](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2015111613ms002_2.jpg)
Yokohama returns to Macau for 33rd year
This year the Macau Grand Prix is taking place for the 62nd time, and for more than half its history Yokohama Rubber has served as exclusive tyre supplier for the Formula 3 race held during the event. The company heads to the Chinese administrative territory as exclusive supplier to the F3 race for the 33rd consecutive year in 2015.
Continue Reading![Champion Higgins tops class with Dmack-shod Subaru Impreza](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Dmack-Subaru.jpg)
Champion Higgins tops class with Dmack-shod Subaru Impreza
Twenty years after Colin McRae sealed the FIA World Rally Championship title, a Subaru Impreza emblazoned with the Scot’s iconic livery and equipped with Dmack tyres finished as the top production class car on Wales Rally GB. David Higgins and Craig Drew romped home on their home round of the WRC as part of the anniversary celebrating McRae’s achievement. Seven-time Rally America champion Higgins has won two titles on Dmack tyres with his Subaru USA team and topped the class using Dmack’s DMG+2 gravel tyre.
Continue Reading