The launch of Avon Tyres’ latest sports touring motorcycle tyre aimed at the hypersport market, the Storm 3D X-M, took place near the brand’s Melksham, Wiltshire manufacturing base at Castle Combe in May. The Cooper-owned brand says it has since been reaping the plaudits for the new tyre, tested out by two-wheel specialist journalists on the fast and bumpy circuit.
In the wake of Pirelli’s decision to provide a new range of tyres to Formula One after the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, the series’ chief, Bernie Ecclestone has defended the manufacturer’s approach. While stopping short of praising the four early 2013 season P Zero compounds, Ecclestone noted the difficulties inherent in the task he gave Pirelli – to make tyres to last less than half a race. He explained that different driving styles, cars, circuits and operating temperatures make it difficult to provide a tyre that fits this specification.
The first four races of this year’s Formula One season have been invariably followed by murmuring about the tyres used, most recently from Red Bull Racing, who despite a Vettel victory in Bahrain called for Pirelli to change its tyres for the remainder of the season. But in an interview with Reuters, Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery claimed that the “vast majority” of teams implore the tyre maker not to change anything.
In a test reminiscent of a stunt pulled by Top Gear’s original Stig, but fortunately with a different end result, double Superbike World Champion and four-time 250cc World Champion Max Biaggi tested the braking qualities of Pirelli’s new Angel GT motorcycle tyre on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
As winter drags on, the subject of potholes has been much in the news and a recent report from UK online motoring magazine Motortrades Insight makes gloomy reading – it reports that potholes are potentially damaging the finances of Britain’s hard-working, cash-strapped drivers – motorists who are being forced into balancing their finances to pay for additional car maintenance and repairs. Worse still is the potential hazard of trying to avoid them with drivers literally dicing with death on a daily basis.
A recent survey revealed two thirds of motorists have found themselves in a dangerous situation – swerving to avoid a pothole. Drivers in the West Midlands have been worst hit with 76 per cent swerving or braking suddenly to avoid the thousands of crumbling roads with estimates of 2.2 million potholes.
Starting from 2016, antilock braking systems (ABS) will be introduced as standard equipment for an increasing number of motorcycles in the EU. At the beginning of March, the European Union passed legislation to this effect, with the objective of further reducing traffic accident figures. In 2011 alone, around 5,000 motorcyclists were killed on Europe's roads. "A standard-fit ABS can prevent more than one-quarter of all motorcycle accidents with personal injuries," is how Gerhard Steiger, president of the Bosch Chassis Systems Control division, sums up the findings of a Bosch accident study.
It probably won’t surprise the average motorist at all to hear the findings of a report commissioned by Kwik Fit – the number of vehicles hitting potholes has increased 143 per cent in the last two years. The studies carried out by ICM Research in January 2011 and then in March 2013 indicate that nearly 39 per cent of motorists, some 13 million people, collided with a pothole in the past 12 months, compared with 5.7 million in 2011.
From 1 January 2013 the QH Brake Discs range of 2,000 standard, high carbon and black discs will be packaged as single parts, adding convenience and flexibility to this very popular product. Category manager Jon Haywood explains why the change of packing policy has been implemented:
If we need technology to warn us about the obvious, then maybe it’s better to eliminate us from the equation completely – in the same week it announced plans to introduce technology that warns drivers they’re travelling the wrong way on motorways, Continental reports it has received an Autonomous Vehicle Testing License’ from the US state of Nevada. If all goes to plan, Continental technology could be present in driverless cars, which never mistake the motorway exit for the on-ramp, within as little as eight years.
Pirelli approaches the final round of the Formula One season with the championship yet to be decided, thanks to eight different winners from the season so far – seven of them coming in the first seven races. Just like last year, the last race of the season will be held at the legendary Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo, and Pirelli has nominated the P Zero Silver hard tyre and P Zero White medium tyre for the title decider. The teams will also have two extra sets of next year’s prototype tyres at their disposal for Friday’s free practice sessions, in order to give them an idea of the characteristics of the 2013 tyres.
Brembo has made a significant change to its aftermarket marketing adopting a new packaging concept. The packaging includes the faces of employees, marking a departure from the all-red box, which for more than ten years has been the face of Brembo in the Aftermarket. The message the company says it is trying to promote is that “Brembo believes in its products, and is not shy about saying so.”
Recent rises in fuel costs may hit the revenues of tyre, brakes and automotive spares suppliers, according to Moody's Investors Service comments published today (7 November 2012). According to the report, the potential loss of revenue is “credit negative” for rated automotive spare parts suppliers.
The biggest downside risk from a 5 per cent aftermarket contraction in Europe is seen at brake manufacturer TMD friction, which could feel a 3 per cent hit to its revenues in this scenario and Michelin which is expected to see revenues drop 1.8 per cent if this were to happen. However it is not just an aftermarket problem, Moody's expects that higher fuel prices could also affect suppliers that focus on automotive manufacturers.
Businesses and company car drivers wishing to become better informed about fleet tyre safety can now do so at a new dedicated section on TyreSafe’s www.tyresafe.org website.
We’re often accused of spending too much time either watching films or surfing online, so it is heartening that TyreSafe has provided a good reason to do both. The association has launched a short film for businesses that explains how they can significantly reduce their fuel bills and ensure safer driving by correctly maintaining the tyres on their fleet vehicles. The film can be viewed at the www.tyresafe.org website.
Yokohama HPT has expanded the size ranges of its Mugello and Rivage wheels in the UK. Sized from 17-20”, both wheels are available in staggered fitments to suit a wide range of cars. The Mugello is suited particularly to those requiring wider rims at the rear and is available in Hyper Silver or Matt Black. The Rivage can be specified in either Hyper Silver or Gloss Black with milled edges to the spokes.
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