Drive DMACK leading WRC 2 as it seeks 2014 repeat in Poland
The Drive DMACK World Rally Team will return to Poland in the hope of a repeat of its first ever one-two victory. Jari Ketomaa and Ott Tänak romped home at the top of the WRC 2 class in 2014, and next week’s round seven of the FIA World Rally Championship, will see Ketomaa return alongside Sander Pärn at the wheel of the team’s two Ford Fiesta R5 rally cars. Topping the championship standings, the Drive DMACK team is on track to defend its WRC 2 Teams world title and both drivers will be hoping to capitalise on the ultra-fast, smooth gravel roads in Poland.
Continue ReadingSuccess for Avon in 2015 Isle of Man TT Sidecar races
More than 100 competitors used Avon tyres at this year’s Isle of Man TT. Competitors covered the 37.73 mile road circuit, touching 200mph on little more than country back roads, making the perfect tyre selection and setup essential. The manufacturer had its greatest taste of success in sidecar racing, sweeping the podium in both of the Sure Sidecar races.
Continue ReadingPirelli nominates F1 tyre compounds for Silverstone, Hungaroring, Spa, and Monza
Pirelli has confirmed the 2015 tyre choices up to its home grand prix in Italy, with a third outing of 2015 for the P Zero Orange hard tyre at Silverstone. The fast British circuit, next on the agenda for Formula One, will see Pirelli supply its P Zero White medium too, meaning the hardest tyres in the line-up will be utilised for the second time in two years.
Continue ReadingF1 drivers draw out tyre stints in safety car affected Austrian grand prix
An early safety car at the Austrian Grand Prix made one-stop the default strategy, though with a number of grid penalties in operation, many drivers were planning long stints from the start. Chief among these was Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo, who ran for 50 laps on his original set of P Zero Yellow soft tyres, ending up in the points after starting 18th on the grid, while Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel finished fourth after completing 36 laps on the P Zero Red supersoft.
Continue ReadingDunlop tests 2016 spec Moto2 tyres in Barcelona
Following its latest meeting in Catalunya race, a total of 16 Moto2 riders tested two potential 2016 rear tyres. The test took place at Barcelona and Aragon where the riders evaluated compounds with wider operating windows to enhance the Dunlop Moto2 tyre range.
Continue ReadingMichelin supporting Ford’s 2016 return to 24 Hours of Le Mans
Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the 1-2-3 finish achieved by the Ford GT at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and to mark the occasion Ford is returning to the endurance race with an all-new vehicle bearing the Ford GT name. At a recent press conference, Ford shared that it will work towards this goal with Michelin as its exclusive tyre technology partner.
Continue ReadingGoodyear rules out F1 tyre supply bid in 2017
Goodyear will not make a Formula One comeback in 2017, while Dunlop has reaffirmed its commitment to endurance and touring car racing. The manufacturer’s statements come on the 17 June tender deadline, following Michelin Motorsport director Pascal Couasnon’s confirmation that the French manufacturer had submitted an official application.
Continue ReadingMichelin submits F1 tyre supply bid
It appears that Michelin has thrown its hat back into the Formula 1 ring. Michelin Motorsport has retweeted comments its director made to Motorsport.com confirming its submission of a F1 tyre supply bid ahead of the 17 June tender deadline. Pascal Couasnon shared that Michelin decided to enter the running in the hope that the championship would take a new direction in regards to tyres.
Continue ReadingHutchinson Superstock TT victory gives Metzeler back-to-back wins
Ian Hutchinson’s dominant victory in the RL360 Superstock TT has given tyre supplier Metzeler back to back wins. A ferocious pace was set for the race, with all of the first four riders completed the four lap event under the existing race record.
Continue ReadingDmack anticipates WRC ‘longest day’ in Sardinia
Dmack has identified next week’s Rally Italia Sardegna, round six of the FIA World Rally Championship, as a demanding test. The tyre brand says challenging road conditions and high temperatures promise to punish both tyres and cars, with the biggest challenge on Saturday: competitors will tackle over 200km of stages, the longest day in WRC since 2012.
Continue ReadingF1 will probably stick to 13-inch tyres, opines Pirelli’s Hembery
During the Monaco Grand Prix, both Pirelli and Michelin demonstrated prototype 18-inch tyres for single-seat race cars. The GP2 rubber that Pirelli showed off was developed in part to demonstrate the tyre maker’s ability to adapt to future changes in regulations, including a possible switch to a wider diameter, low profile tyre in Formula One. But although Pirelli is ready to offer the top-flight championship such as tyre, Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery seems less than confident that the FIA will approve an 18-inch size for F1.
Continue ReadingFalken secures first Nuerburgring 24H podium in front of largest group of European dealers
Falken Tyres achieved its aim of a first podium at the Nuerburgring 24 Hours. The team of Peter Dumbreck, Martin Ragginger, Alex Imperatori and Wolf Henzler guided Falken’s Porsche 997 GT3 R from 19th on the grid to a podium slot, improving on its fourth place finish in 2014. The team’s number 44 Porsche – the only car on the grid to use Falken tyres – rose gradually through the field overnight, dealing well with typically varied Eifel region weather. Tyres & Accessories, visiting the event, enquires how the Sumitomo Rubber Industries brands European operation benefits from its relationship with the Nuerburgring and its flagship endurance race.
Continue ReadingKumho treats retailers to Silverstone race day
With Kumho the sole tyre supplier to the F1 feeder series Auto GP, the manufacturer invited retailers to Silverstone to witness the UK round of the international championship on Sunday 24 May.
Continue ReadingPirelli continues sponsorship of Le Mans Village on the Curves
Pirelli has confirmed its deal to sponsor the Village on the Curves at the Le Mans 24-hour race will continue as part of the Italian tyre firm’s agreement with Porsche Club GB. The Village on the Curves is a camping village located on the well-known Porsche Curves, formerly known as the Porsche Owners International Village. Porsche Club GB and Pirelli maintaining a significant presence at this point on the circuit in 2014.
Continue ReadingExtra inches a first-class solution: Michelin Motorsport’s director talks race tyres and rim diameter
In October 2014, Michelin and Renault Sport announced they would jointly develop 17- and 18-inch diameter tyres for the single-seat Formula Renault 2.0 and Formula Renault 3.5 cars that compete in the WSR (World Series by Renault). After three quarters of a year, the partners’ conclusion is that replacing the 13-inch tyres now in use with the two larger sizes is “a first-class solution to make driving more enjoyable still for competitors.”
Continue Reading