Autosport Show 2010
Maxxis International is to launch its latest generation high performance tyre at Autosport International, as well as showcasing the motorsport vehicles it supports. The new tyre, the VS01, which is an updated version of the MAS2, ensures that Maxxis’ range of tyres covers the latest performance car marques, making it one of the most desired high performance tyres at the moment.
Autosport 2013 generated an estimated £1.07 billion worth of new business within the motorsport and performance engineering industries. According to the show’s organisers what they call Europe’s largest dedicated motorsport trade show was this year also the most valuable.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has told Autosport.com he’s proud the team “had the balls” to stand by the criticisms it leveled against the performance of Pirelli’s 2013 Formula One tyres. The negative feedback from Red Bull Racing and company chief Dietrich Mateschitz regarding the tyres’ rapid degradation earlier in the season was dismissed by some competitors as complaints prompted by the team’s own struggles with the tyres – but Horner thinks other teams felt as Red Bull did, only they chose to be less forthright.
Jorge Lorenzo took his Yamaha to a second successive MotoGP victory on Sunday, as tyre management came into play in sweltering conditions at the Circuit de Catalunya. Several riders crashed out as a result of reduced front-end grip, and Lorenzo spoke of the challenge provided by the conditions: “Today was the hottest race this year and physically it was very hard.” He later suggested to Autosport.com that the front tyre may have been “too soft”, while adding that the riders were requesting harder compounds from tyre supplier, Bridgestone. Shinji Aoki, manager of Bridgestone Motorsport’s Tyre Development Department, pointed out that all works riders had chosen to use the softer rear slick, which he said had performed well given the harsh conditions.
With a product range encompassing a good range of high and ultra high performance fitments at an economical price-point, Taiwanese manufacturer Nankang’s potential in the UK market has always been clear. However, the brand’s UK representatives believe that its profile and perceived brand positioning in the country could be raised in line with its European activities. Committing to achieve these goals, the brand’s dis-tributor in the UK, Westlands Ltd, has taken up the new name Nankang Tyre UK, and joint managing directors Steve Smith and Scott Graham will head up the project.
Maxxis launched its latest 4×4 product, the Trepador Competition at Autosport 2013. The tyre, designed to improve control on difficult terrain, has a multi-stage staggered shoulder pattern and nylon belt reinforced construction, and is designed to offer dealers the possibility of good margins. Maxxis invited specialist 4×4 tyre dealer Jerry Hunt of SETYRES in Portsmouth to join the manufacturer, and he declared himself impressed with the brand and new product.
Exhaust manufacturer Milltek used the occasion of Autosport International to reveal the car in which its team will compete during the 2013 UK Time Attack Championship. Having won the 2012 Club Classes with a Nissan GT-R in the hands of driver Richard Marshall, the Milltek team will return to its VW Group roots with a prepared VW Golf GTI Mk6, as it goes head to head with the reigning Club Pro 2WD class champion, Bo Nielsen in his Astra VXR Coupe.
Building on a pre-existing relationship with series organiser Motorsport Vision Racing (MSVR), tyre manufacturer Yokohama has announced a deal that sees it become the first tyre supplier to the new Formula 4 series. Both car and tyres were unveiled in parallel with the official announcement of the news at this year's Autosport Show.
One of Britain’s present F1 talents, Paul Di Resta made his Autosport debut during the course of the 2012 event. This year he is one of a number of motorsport driving stars to visit the event.
The 23rd Autosport International has opened its doors at the NEC, Birmingham. The show runs from 10-13 January 2013. Purportedly Europe’s largest motorsport trade show, Autosport International attracts some of the industry’s biggest companies. And from a tyre point of view this means the likes of Pirelli, Dunlop, Yokohama and Maxxis amongst others this year.
Yokohama HPT Ltd, the UK distributor for the Japanese tyre brand, as well as TSW replacement alloy wheels and marque-specific alloy wheels for BMW, Mercedes and Porsche, will exhibit at this week's Autosport International show at the Birmingham NEC. The company says the focal point of its stand will be the race-specification Aerial Atom, designed for the one-make Atom Cup race series and using Yokohama control tyres.
Maxxis returns to the Autosport International show (10-13 January, 2013) where it will not only be showing off its latest products, but will also be highlighting the brand’s motorsport links – not least with a drifting demonstration by Team Japspeed, winners of the constructor’s title in the 2012 Maxxis British Drift Championship.
The two winners of this year’s Tyrepress.com competition have been decided. Peter Poyntz-Roberts, a Bridgestone UK consumer sales key account manager, and James Lomax from Bury, North Manchester will receive a pair of tickets each to Autosport International 2013 at the Birmingham NEC on 12 or 13 January. The prize will be posted in the first week of January 2013. Thank you to the many readers of Tyrepress.com and Tyres & Accessories who entered the competition and congratulations to both winners. We hope all visitors to the NEC enjoy what will undoubtedly be another great show.
Pirelli has confirmed it will appear at the annual Autosport International Show in Birmingham where the Italian tyre manufacturer will showcase a motorsport-focused display that includes the new Pirelli Star Driver Citroen DS3 R3.
Perhaps Pirelli’s 2012 tyres pushed Jenson’s buttons a little. Autosport.com shares that the McLaren driver, who finished this season in fifth place, believes Pirelli needs to make the F1 playing field “a bit more fair” by focusing on widening the operating window of its 2013 tyre compounds.
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