Pirelli has announced that it has shortlisted eight of its 83 Performance Centres (PPCs) across the UK for the PPC of the year accolade.
In order to earn the coveted PPC accreditation, each of the dealerships undergoes a thorough auditing process, repeated twice a year to maintain the high standards, and are graded according to their score, from silver through to platinum.
Toyo Tire U.S.A. has announced it will continue as the official tyre of NASA. For those scratching their heads at this point, the NASA Toyo is connected to is the National Auto Sport Association rather than the space agency; continuing a relationship that began in 2002 when the Proxes Ra1 was first chosen as the spec tyre for select racing classes, Toyo has renewed its agreement with NASA through 2015. In addition, Toyo Tires returns as the title sponsor of the NASA Championships.
Car parts distributor CES (UK) has held a classic car event on the streets of its hometown Chester. Car enthusiasts and shoppers were able to view a spectacular display of cars from the CES-sponsored Winter Challenge Rally lining the city centre. More than 70 cars were on show ahead of the four day rally to Monte Carlo, while their drivers, dressed in period costume, answered questions from the gathered crowds. CES says the rally was a great opportunity to showcase its brand and give a little boost to the local economy.
Leading India tyre and rubber industry associations Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) and the All-India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) have asked for immediate suspension of futures trading in rubber following allegations of speculation in the futures market playing havoc with physical markets.
National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA) figures for October show that average values of used cars sold at auction decreased from £4,718 to £4,558, a 4 per cent decrease. Values for fleet cars recorded a 6 per cent decrease. Year-on-year, the average price of cars at auction has increased just 0.1 per cent from £4,554 a year ago to £4,558 this year.
Thanks to a recent promotion run by County Tyres and Continental, motorist Danny Henkus from Chudleigh in Devon has won a long weekend to Barcelona including £200 spending money. The promotion, which required customers to purchase Continental tyres, ran at all County Tyre retail branches between August and September and Dany Henkus bought his tyres and entered the competition at the Exeter branch of County Tyres.
Trelleborg has decided to postpone its Capital Markets Day, originally scheduled for November 30, 2011, until next year. The company says it will announce a new date for the event at a later stage.
Bridgestone and McConechy’s tyre dealerships are running “Re-inventing the Wheel” drawing competition in schools across Scotland. Pupils from schools in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Kirkcaldy are drawing their ideas of how they could reuse tyres from their family cars after they are no longer road safe. Each of the four schools: Sighthill Primary, Giffnock Primary, Merkinch Primary and Torbain Primary are paired with a local McConechy’s dealership.
Next year, Michelin will introduce three new track-oriented motorcycle tyre ranges: The Power Cup, a replacement for the Power One Competition, and the Power Slick and Power Rain to replace the company’s current slick and rain line-ups.
It’s said to have required “much deliberating, cogitating and digesting,” yet the shortlist for HiQ's national grid girl competition is now ready. The fast fitter says this year’s competition received an overwhelming response from grid girl wannabes all over the UK. According to HiQ marketing manager Geraldine McGovern, the company was “overwhelmed with entries and it was a tough decision shortlisting the final ten.”
Marangoni tyres helped Simone Faggioli rout the field at Ilirska Bistrica in Slovenia to record the best time in both heats of the race, winning the FIA Hill Climb European Championship with one race still remaining. Faggioli drove his Osella FA30-Zytek with Marangoni Zeta Linea racing tyres to a fourth championship victory, making him one of the legends of the sport. Marangoni said Faggioli’s victory and domination of hill climb races over recent years is “confirmation of the exceptional work done by the engineers and technicians at the Italian company’s research & development department”.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley have reported their “surprise” at Goodyear’s performance in the second quarter of the financial year. The reason they gave for being caught unaware by the US tyre maker’s 24 per cent increase in sales (to US$5.6 billion) and 66.7 per cent rise in net profit (to $40 million) is that “it came in a quarter of weak shipments and rising raw material headwinds.” Despite unit demand being slightly down, Goodyear’s price/mix of $552 million “comfortably beat” Morgan Stanley’s estimate of $450 million and segment operating income for its North American Tire business was $137 million with a margin of 5.7 per cent, which Morgan Stanley notes is the highest level in a decade and in line with the company’s medium-term target.
Snap-on has announced that it will sponsor WorldSkills London 2011, a world-leading vocational training event to be held at the ExCel centre in London from 5-8 October. Chris Behan, Snap-on Equipment’s general manager, comments: “We’re pleased to be supporting Snap-on’s sponsorship of WorldSkills London 2011, which will give contestants from across the globe the chance to put their skills to the test on the latest wheel alignment equipment. I believe that WorldSkills will provide our young people with an unrivalled opportunity to gain inspiration and insight into the vast range of worthwhile skill-based careers available in the motor industry and beyond.”
Despite receiving no lack of talent, HiQ says those wishing to become the fast fit network’s official ‘Grid Girl’ still have a chance. If you are suitably qualified – to be in with a chance you must be at least 18 years old and, presumably, female – entries are still being taken at the hiqonline.co.uk website until August 30.
Casey Stoner clinched his sixth victory at Brno on Sunday following an early battle with teammate Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo. Pedrosa crashed out of the lead on the third lap, leaving the remaining two steps of the podium to be fought over by Andrea Dovizioso, who finished second, and Marco Simoncelli who secured his first podium in the premier class. Every rider on the grid used the softer option rear tyre for the race, and almost all riders used the harder option front. The only riders who didn’t were Suzuki’s Álvaro Bautista, who was chasing down Valentino Rossi for sixth position when he crashed out, and Lorenzo, who led early on before crossing the finish line fourth ahead of his Yamaha teammate Ben Spies.
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