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Porsche Tuner Sets New Conti Tyre Record

Continental’s UHP ContiSportContact Vmax has broken the 400 km/h barrier at tests held at the Papenburg circuit in Germany. Jan Fatthauer, head of the Porsche Tuners 9ff team, drove his GT9 to a speed of 409 km/h, setting a new record for both the tyre and the street legal 987 horsepower car. The test was also attended by Holger Berkmann, ContiSportContact Vmax development engineer from Continental Tuning.

The ContiSportContact Vmax, which is actually “only” approved for speeds of up to 360 km/h, was given clearance for higher speeds for the record attempt in the GT9; according to Holger Berkmann, after all, the tyre was expected to be able to withstand a higher load under controlled test conditions.

3rd July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho On Top at Jim Clark Rally

Kumho notched up another rally success at the Jim Clark event held on the weekend of May 23-25. The rally, which Kumho describes as effectively being five events in one, ended with the first four places in the National event held by Kumho shod vehicles. Finishing in the top four spots were:

David Kynaston/Andy Russell (Audi A3 Quattro)
Andy Fenwick/Lee Tindall (Skoda Octavia WRC)
David Mann/Alun Cook (Subaru Impreza WRC)
Alistair Thorburn/Paul McGuire (Subaru Impreza)

Andy Fenwick and Lee Tindall, who returned to the Kumho fold this year after a season on rival rubber, were also the outright victors of the Reivers event.

2nd June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Motaquip: Poor Quality Wheel Bearings ‘Threaten UK Aftermarket’

Low cost and counterfeit wheel bearings are pouring into the UK market, posing a direct threat to motorists, Motaquip has warned. Motaquip, one of the UK’s leading aftermarket suppliers, singled out Far Eastern suppliers of low cost wheel bearing kits for criticism saying: they fail to meet Original Equipment (OE) or matching quality specification.

The non-OE wheel bearings issue surrounds Far Eastern wheel bearing kit imports which feature ball bearings rather than the newer taper roller technology. Increasingly complex modern vehicles require that safety critical parts such as wheel bearing kits meet Original Equipment (OE) or matching quality specification. In order to reduce costs, parts sourced from the Far East often use fewer balls than the OE part, which leaves them vulnerable to breakage, disintegration, collapse or locking when in use – with potentially devastating consequences.

8th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Latest TSW Alloy Wheels Now in UK

Three new TSW wheels products have hit the shelves in the UK, reports nationwide distributor Yokohama HPT Ltd – and more are on their way. The new wheels, called the Croft, Indy 500 and Jarama, all build on the company’s reputation for design and quality and, adds Yokohama HPT, pay more than a passing homage to some of the iconic motorsport venues from around the world.

The Croft, named after England’s northern race circuit, is a full-mesh design and brings an aggressive circuit look and feel to the roads. The spokes run from the edge of the mounting flange to the very outside of the wheel rim, offering a true motorsport feel. The wheel comes in gun metal with a mirror cut lip or chrome and is available in a range of sizes, from 8×17 to 10×20-inch, and is well-suited for staggered fitments.

1st May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin ‘Ready for Le Mans’

Michelin scored another win in the Le Mans Series at the weekend, with taking the Peugeot-Total-Michelin team the chequered flag in Monza. The cars, driven by, Stéphane Sarrazin and Pedro Lamy, ended up winning after what company representatives described as “a real ding-dong battle with the No. 2 Audi [of] Mike Rockenfeller at the wheel.” The No. 17 Pescarolo (Tinseau / Primate) finished third.

For Michelin, the Monza race proved to be the perfect testing ground to validate tyres in preparation for the Le Mans 24 Hours. Matthieu Bonardel, Director of Four-wheel Competition commented: “Firstly, we want to wish a speedy recovery to Stéphane Ortelli from the Oreca team, who suffered an incredible “off” today and we hope to see him on the circuits again soon. With regards tyres, this race was by no means easy. The Monza circuit is highly specific and the evolution of the track today was quite strong. While there was a definite phenomenon of understeer in all categories during practice, it was not the case in the race…The only disappointment for us was because we failed to find a solution to double-stint and gain time. We tried both with medium and hard compounds, but we soon found that the mediums lost on performance over time, while the hards didn’t have the performance to start with.

28th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear OE For 2009 North American Toyota Models

According to Goodyear, a “variety” of its tyres have been selected for OE fitment on several models of the 2009 Corolla and Matrix. These North American market selections represent some of the first OE fitments of Goodyear’s Eagle F1 All Season tyre, launched last July. The 2009 Corolla and Matrix will come standard with the following tyres, depending on the specific vehicle model: P195/65R15 Eagle LS-2; P205/55R16 Eagle RS-A; P215/45R17 Eagle RS-A; and P215/45R18 Eagle F1 All Season.

31st March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

New Avon ZV5 a First Glimpse at Cooper Tire’s European Know-How

Cooper Tire’s European Technical Centre in Melksham, opened a little over a year ago, has borne its first fruit – the all-new Avon Tyres ZV5 range. This new tyre, intended as a replacement for the ZV3, is aimed at the saloon car market and will be offered in numerous sizes to fit a range of vehicles as diverse as the VW Polo through to the Ford Mondeo and Audi A4.

The asymmetric tread pattern used on the ZV5 incorporates elements that emphasise handling in dry conditions, such as the broad open slots of the tyre’s shoulders, and in the wet, like the wide circumferential grooves intended to minimise the opportunity for aquaplaning. The tread blocks and siping have also been designed to slice through thin films of water, further enhancing braking performance. Steering response compared to that of the ZV3 has been sharpened through the addition of a stiffer lower sidewall layer.

10th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho revamps V710, Adds LX Platinum

Kumho is making some improvements to its championship-winning Ecsta V710 and is adding eight more sizes to the tyre’s lineup. First introduced in 2004, the V710 is Kumho’s top-of-the-line DOT competition tyre. The tyre has won more than 75 SCCA Solo National Championships in the last four years, as well as dozens of divisional Club Racing championships, the company said.

“Even though the V710 has continued to fare well in competition and in independent comparison tests by magazines such as Grassroots Motorsports, we knew it was time for some changes,” said Rudy Consolacion, Kumho motorsports manager. “We raised the bar when we introduced the V710 three years ago, and with the changes we’re making we’ll raise the bar again.”

15th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Dueler OE for New Generation Toyota SUV

In 2007 and 2008 Toyota is launching in numerous global markets the next generation model of its Highlander 4×4, and Bridgestone has announced that in North America the smaller sibling of the Landcruiser will come fitted with Dueler H/L 400 tyres as original equipment. The 270 hp 3.5 litre V6 powered vehicle is available in three versions: The entry level Base will be sold with P245/65R17 105S size tyres, while the Highlander Sport and Limited, both supplied with 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, will be fitted with the P245/55R19 103S.

The Dueler H/L – the “H/L” being short for ‘highway luxury’ – 400 has a directional all-season tread pattern for wet and dry traction. The tyre is also fitted as OE to the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Mazda CX-9 and Acura MDX in North American markets. While the H/L 400 is not sold on this side of the Atlantic, similar models in the Dueler family, such as the H/L 683, are available in the UK.

14th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

VAG Approval For Beissbarth Tyre Changer

Beissbarth has received approval from the VAG group – comprising Audi, VW, Seat and Skoda – for its MS67 tyre changer.

The MS67 was launched last year and has been an instant success says Beissbarth UK’s managing director Philip Hodges: “We are delighted with this latest accolade for the MS67. Customers have been quick to spot the huge benefits of this model, designed to meet the ever-present health and safety regulations, and provide a fast and efficient service for technicians and customers.”

11th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Interstate Tyres On Show in Kuwait

Interstate Tires are to participate at the prestigious Kuwait Automobile exhibition. From November 28 to December 4, 2007 Interstate Tires will display the company’s complete range of tyres. The Middle East is fast growing market and, according to Theo de Vries Interstate Tires are very popular in “various” Gulf states. Furthermore Interstate Tires is approved and licensed to be used in the official dealer organizations of Volkswagen, Audi, Ford and Mazda. “You can find Interstate Tires in the main hall, next to Audi and Spijker cars,” company president Theo de Vries told Tyres & Acceessories.

28th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Showcases Winter SUV Tyres at Eurotunnel

A set of Michelin’s Latitude Alpin cold weather tyres was on display at the Eurotunnel Terminal at Folkestone, Kent recently as part of Eurotunnel’s ski tour promotions programme. A set of 255/55 R18 Michelin Latitude Alpin HP Extra Load cold weather tyres was fitted to an Audi Q7 3.6 FSI Quattro SE and displayed inside the terminal for just under a week. The display was completed by top of the range Salomon skis and snowboards mounted on a Thule Ski & Snowboard Xtender carrier.

Michelin’s Latitude Alpin HP cold weather tyres are designed for high performance 4×4 vehicles and are recommended by several of the main vehicle manufacturers.

27th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Dealers Enjoy Track Day

Falken recently invited 40 of its top performing dealers from around the country to spend the day at Palmer Sport at the Bedford Autodrome. The unique track day involved driving and racing cars ranging from Caterhams to single seater Formula cars and off-roading.

The day began with Renault Clio Cup Racers and Porsche 911. The pocket rocket Clio’s minimal weight and maximum power made for a hair raising way to start the day while the growling power of the 911 certainly woke some people up!

19th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook’s Icebear Performs in European Tyre Tests

Hankook’s winter tyres have impressed the German automobile press. The Icebear W440, for example, has received good results in “auto motor und sport” (Issue 21/2007; tested size: 205/55 R 16 H) winter tyre test. The Hankook winter tyre impressed with a low noise level prompting the “auto motor und sport” testers to give the Icebear W440 their recommendation: “…The Hankook Icebear W440 is proof that you do not always have to opt for the expensive premium tyre. The tyre’s balanced performance and attributes position the Icebear W440 right in the premium tyre segment…”.

The Icebear W440 has also received a recommendation in the big winter tyre comparison test conducted by the automobile clubs ADAC (Germany), OEAMTC (Austria) and TCS (Switzerland). The Hankook winter tyre was tested in the popular dimension 205/55 R 16 H on a front-wheel drive Opel Astra. As a result the testers gave a “recommendable” verdict. The W440 is available in the speed indexes Q (-160 km/h) to H (-210 km/h) in the dimensions 135/80 R 13 to 205/55 R 16, partially with Extra-Load specifications. Naturally the Hankook Icebear W440 bears, if you can excuse the pun, both M+S- and snowflake-markings.

28th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Viking Stocks New Range of Varta Batteries

This battery season sees the launch of a new range of batteries supplied by Varta. With over six million cars in the 6-9 year old UK car parc and a further seven million in the 3-6 year sector, this new range is designed to help Viking International’s customers more effectively meet end user expectations. All Varta batteries incorporate the latest Calcium-Silver technology, adopted by top car manufacturers to enhance battery life by as much as 20 per cent. The range includes the Varta Black Dynamic, the Blue Dynamic, and the new Silver Dynamic, accepted as an OE fitment for Audi, BMW, Citroen, Ford, Peugeot, Saab and Volvo.

5th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors