John McGuinness supports TyreSafe message ahead of 2015 Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness has lent his support to TyreSafe’s message to fans loading their bikes up and heading to the island this week. The tyre safety organisation said that the involvement of McGuinness, who has competed in the event since 1996 and has the second most race wins in its history, “highlights the importance” of its message. While TyreSafe has been successful in recruiting supporters from within the tyre industry and from institutions such as regional police forces, this shows even further growth into the world of motorsport. The 2015 TT starts on Saturday, with tens of thousands of riders and fans descending on the island to follow the two weeks of races.
Continue ReadingPrototype 18-inch tyres taken for a spin in Monaco
Last week’s Monaco Grand Prix delivered Nico Rosberg his third victory in a row at the track, and prior to the race the Circuit de Monaco was also host to 18-inch tyre demonstrations for two F1 feeder championships. Pirelli showed off its larger diameter race-ready GP2 rubber while Renault Sport Technologies fielded a Formula Renault 3.5 car fitted with 18-inch Michelin tyres. These demonstrations are significant given both tyre makers’ views on the direction F1 tyre evolution should take, a topic of particular interest now that tenders are open for F1 tyre supply between 2017 and 2019.
Continue ReadingMichelin Pilot Sport EV durable in Berlin as Formula E stages round 8
Formula E’s eighth round was staged over the weekend at Berlin’s former Tempelhof Airport; an unusual backdrop for a track described by tyre supplier Michelin as one of the most delicate of the season for tyres. The twisty 17-turn, 2.47km course was dusty and dirty early in the day due to the relative lack of traffic, while its concrete slabs were particularly abrasive. The circuit’s width also allowed drivers to run three abreast in places, meaning heavy braking and hard acceleration were a feature of the event. These conditions present an obvious challenge for tyres to which Michelin’s grooved Pilot Sport EV rose.
Continue ReadingMichelin launching new hypersport tyre range to coincide with MotoGP return
Michelin has unveiled a new range of hypersport and race tyres designed to coincide with its return to the MotoGP World Championship in 2016. Michelin says the tyres, which include the Power SuperMoto and SuperMoto Rain wet product, are designed to enhance lap times, riding pleasure and safety. Technical developments include “Adaptive Casing Technology” (ACT), which Michelin says will help to combat high-speed weave and ensures stability and grip at all lean angles.
Continue ReadingMichelin to support international gathering for Citroën DS 60th anniversary
Michelin will celebrate the Citroën DS’s 60th anniversary as enthusiasts create an international gathering this year. The tyre manufacturer has strong connections with its French compatriot, continuing to working with its motorsport teams and equipping all models of the DS sold in Europe.
Continue ReadingToyo launches competition slick, growing track day offering
Toyo Tires has signalled its intentions to strengthen its position as a supplier of competition rubber with the news of its latest products in the UK. As new stocks of the firm’s road legal track day tyres arrive, the company has officially released its totally track-focused RS1 slick design onto UK market for the first time.
Continue ReadingStrakka Racing switching from Michelin to Dunlop ahead of Le Mans 24 Hours
Strakka Racing will switch to running Dunlop tyres on its S103 for both Le Mans and the remainder of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The team is testing the Dunlop rubber, used by all other entrants in the WEC LMP2 category at Spa this week and will again at the Le Mans Test Day later this month.
Continue Reading‘Unprecedented progress’ for Tamworth brake and clutch manufacturer
Now well into the 2015 race season, Alcon Components says this year has seen “unprecedented progress” for the Tamworth, UK brake and clutch manufacturer. Supplying products to Formula E, Alcon also reports US motorsport growth and increased work with original equipment manufacturers, describing the year so far as “a three-way success story”.
Continue ReadingFalken Tyres team secures podium on Nürburgring 24 Hours
Falken Tyres has achieved its aim of a first podium at the Nürburgring 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 with typically varied Eifel region weather, including showers during the night.
Continue ReadingKumho to support Twin Busch at Nürgburgring 24 hours
Nürgburgring-based VLN Championship front runner Twin Busch will be fitted with Kumho tyres when the privateer starts the 24 hour race this weekend. The squad’s history in the race includes a tenth place finish overall behind nine works outfits last year. Kumho wants to help the team to eclipse that result on 16-17 May.
Continue ReadingBailey does the double in Pirelli-backed GT Cup
Paul Bailey, Andy Schulz and Aaron Scott were the big winners as the Pirelli-supplied GT Cup Championship staged three races at Brands Hatch last weekend. In race one on the Grand Prix circuit Bailey and Schulz (TFF Sport Aston Martin) scored a third win out of four this season in the lead GTO class ahead of Arwyn Williams/Aaron Scott (JMH Automotive Ferrari 458 GT3).
Continue ReadingFalken ‘official tyre manufacturer’ of Coventry Motofest
After low-key involvement in 2014, Falken Tyre has confirmed a higher level of participation at this year’s Coventry Motofest – the company will serve as ‘official tyre manufacturer’ at the show, which takes place between 29 and 31 May. Coventry Motofest was inaugurated last year and is a free, family-focused motoring festival that combines live racing, demonstrations, static displays and live music. As previously announced, Falken’s UK drift team will strut its stuff on Coventry’s iconic ring road during the three-day event. The official Coventry Motofest pace car will also wear Falken tyres.
Continue ReadingCooper reports ‘electrifying’ World RX season opener
The FIA World Rallycross Championship entered its second year in Montalegre, Portugal on 24 April, with the series again supplied by Cooper Tire. The manufacturer has also agreed to supply exclusively the supporting RX Lites grid in 2015. The World RX season opener began with a total of 52 cars, including 21 supercars with 600 brake horsepower, going head-to-head in Portugal.
Continue ReadingDunlop anticipates Geomax test in Spain Motorcross World Championship
Dunlop heads to Spain with its 11 riders for the sixth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship on Sunday. The Talavera de la Reina track is hard pack and last year saw Steven Frossard take a race victory on the Kawasaki using Dunlop’s hard terrain Geomax MX52 front and medium terrain Geomax MX32 rear.
Continue ReadingSky Insurance sponsors Evo 2015 track events
Sky Insurance has once again teamed up with Evo Magazine. This time it’s to sponsor the 2015 Evo Track Events at the Bedford Autodrome. In association with Evo Magazine, Sky Insurance is giving away car spaces to a few lucky prize winners who will get the chance to drive their car around the Bedford Autodrome, one of the UK’s most renowned race tracks. The Bedford Autodrome has over 5 miles of track for car enthusiasts to put their foot on the accelerator. It’s also the only circuit in the UK which you drive around anti-clockwise!
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