Based in Japan, Bridgestone Corporation is the world’s largest tyre and rubber company.
An announcement was made on July 15 that Bridgestone would serve as title sponsor to the Russian Football Union’s (RFU) Russian Cup during the 2011-12 season. However Bridgestone reported on July 19 that on the same day as this first announcement was made, the RFU revealed its selection of a company other than Bridgestone as the event’s title sponsor.
Bridgestone has announced a proposed revision to its tyre allocation procedure and selected tyre compounds for the remaining races of the 2011 MotoGP season, effective from the Czech Republic Grand Prix. The supplier worked with the Safety Commission – on which riders, FIM, IRTA and Dorna are represented – to decide on the proposal in response to rider feedback. Bridgestone has in the last 18 months developed and introduced its extra soft compound in 2010 and selected softer tyre compounds for the Catalunya, British, Dutch, Italian and German Grands Prix so far this year. The US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca next weekend will see softer rear slicks introduced to attempt to improve warm-up performance, especially as the morning sessions can be cool.
Pirelli has announced that it’s Milan headquarters will host the Formula One Teams’ Association Fans Forum event. The forum will take place at 17:00 on Wednesday 7 September, just before the Italian Grand Prix, with some of the leading drivers and team principals in attendance. Pirelli confirms Stefano Domenicali, Nico Rosberg, Jarno Trulli and the tyre supplier’s motorsport director Paul Hembery will be present.
Following recent positive reviews in the consumer press, Maxxis has announced that it is showcasing its latest range of motorcycle tyres, including its new sports touring radial, the MA-3DS Supermaxx Diamond, in a special supplement in leading consumer motorcycling magazine MCN.
For the first time, run-flat fitments have been added to Bridgestone’s replacement market portfolio in Japan. The first run-flat made available to aftermarket consumers in the tyre maker’s home market is the Potenza S001 RFT, introduced in four sizes on July 1. Run-flat variants of the Potenza S001 had their public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March; according to Bridgestone, European replacement market customers will be able to purchase the Potenza S001 RFT as of August, with global market availability to follow.
Title sponsorship for a major Russian football event will feature a familiar name this year – on July 15 Bridgestone Corporation announced the Bridgestone brand will serve as title sponsor of the Russian Football Union’s Russian Cup during the 2011-12 season. The nationwide football tournament will be officially titled the “Bridgestone –Russian Cup” will continue until May 2012. Premier league teams, who compete in the event alongside first division, second division and amateur clubs, begin their participation with the 1/16 finals that begin on July 17. The tournament’s winner will represent Russia in the UEFA Europa League.
Bridgestone UK’s training department has announced the addition of a fourth element to its Retail Business Development training programme. Dealer Selecta Tyre has been the first to engage with the new module, believing Bridgestone to “[understand] the tyre retail business better than any other external management training company we have been involved with in the past,” according to sales director Nick Henshall: “Selecta Tyre is growing as a business and as such we recognise that our retail managers are of vital importance to us continuing to achieve our future company strategies and goals.
The latest new motorcycle and scooter figures show year-on-year sales were down 3.8 per cent compared with 2010 and down 2.1 per cent year-to-date. However scooter sales were up 16.5 per cent in June, whilst larger bike registrations fell by almost 11 per cent. The year-to-date figures show that Scooter sales have increased by 15.9 per cent but larger bike sales have decreased 8.4 per cent.
Pirelli may be top tyre dog in Formula One these days, but Bridgestone’s 14 years as supplier to the championship have not been forgotten. Those wishing to recall the Japanese manufacturer’s Formula One glory days may well be interested in entering into Bridgestone Europe’s F1 Heritage Contest – a celebration of 14 years, 11 Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships, 175 race victories, 168 poles and 170 fastest laps.
The Commercial Vehicle Show LLP has announced plan for another full CV Show to be held at the NEC, Birmingham, from 24-26 April 2012. The announcement follows positive feedback from the 2011 CV Show which attracted over 16,000 people. The CV Show LLP also announced the appointment of Crystal Communications to manage the organisation of the Show, including sales, marketing and operations.
In an article published July 7, Bloomberg Business reports that Continental Tire the Americas spends around 15 per cent of its annual marketing budget influencing a group that holds significant clout with US consumers – tyre salespeople. Every year Conti invests around US$1 million inviting some 950 tyre salespeople to its proving ground in Uvalde, Texas in order to familiarise them with the company’s product and give them a good time into the bargain. And the tyre maker says these events pay off.
A Bridgestone survey derived from 38,000 tyre safety checks carried out by Bridgestone in nine European countries suggests that 71 per cent of motorists are driving on under-inflated tyres. Almost 12 per cent are also worn down below the EU legal minimum of 1.6 mm tread depth. “These figures are particularly alarming at this time of year,” says Des Collins, vice president European Communications Office, Bridgestone Europe, “as families set off on long journeys with heavily-loaded cars. It is important for the safety of motorists that they check their tyres before leaving.”
Linglong tyres have been described as the “dark horse” of tyre testing after finishing fourth in a study conducted by Finnish firm Test World Oy. The firm’s tyres reportedly left the experience test drivers of with a good impression “especially in aspects of driving behaviour on wet roads.” According to a news item on Linglong’s website, Test World’s 2011 Summer tyre test examined more than 12 brands including tyres from Goodyear, Continental and Bridgestone. Linglong entered its Green-Max product into the test.
Lassa tyres, produced by Brisa Bridgestone Sabancı Tyre Manufacturing and Trading Inc, (Turkey’s largest tyre producer and Europe’s seventh largest producer), exhibited its range of products at Autopromotec.
The biology of tree frogs could provide innovative solutions to tyre design problems, according to a Scottish academic. "Tree frog feet may provide a design for self-cleaning sticky surfaces, which could be useful for…tyre performance and even long lasting adhesives," said researcher, Niall Crawford at the University of Glasgow.
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