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Yokohama Reports Strong Start to 2009 Redline Time Attack Series

Three first-places finishes reflected a successful start for Yokohama Tire Corporation’s sponsorship of the 2009 Redline Time Attack series during the March 28-29 season-opener at Buttonwillow Raceway in the US state of California. The series, which features purpose-built 600-horsepower race cars and highly tuned street-legal vehicles, awards points and names winners based on which driver achieves the fastest lap time during competition. Winners in Yokohama Tire-shod cars included:

Billy Johnson, Unlimited RWD Class, FX Motorsports Acura NSX (on Yokohama Advan A005 slicks), 1:45.516, a new RWD and Unlimited RWD record and besting defending champion and this year’s runner up by more than 2 seconds (1:47.992).

1st April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Preparing for 24 Hours of Le Mans

The pre-race trials held on March 31 and April 1 for the 24 Hours of Le Mans will enable the Michelin Power Research Team to continue preparing for the celebrated motorcycle race and choose the correct tyres for its race entry. The Michelin Power Research Team’s blue No. 63 Honda CBR 1000, ridden by William Costes, Hugo Marchand and Josep Monge, is intended to serve as a research laboratory that allows Michelin to pursue its tyre development in real racing conditions.

31st March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone E-reporter Navarro to Commentate for 2009 F1 Season

Bridgestone has announced that Guillaume Navarro, winner of the 2008 Bridgestone e-reporter competition, will serve as a commentator at the be commentating on the FIA Formula One World Championship for RMC Sport radio (Radio Monte Carlo) for the full 2009 season. At the opening round of this year’s Formula One Season, held in Australia between 27-29 March, Navarro will officially be behind the microphone for the first time as part of the commentary team for RMC Sport Radio, France’s leading sport radio station.

26th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Enters FIM World Endurance Championship

The FIM World Endurance Championship will this year, for the first time, be contested by a bike wearing Michelin colours. The French manufacturer states that the entry of the motorcycle, under the ‘Michelin Power Research Team’ name, breaks new ground in the company’s competition history.

The team’s blue Honda CBR 1000 RR will carry the number 63 – the number given to France’s Puy de Dôme region or ‘department’ (the home to Michelin’s headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand) – and will be shared by test drivers William Costes, Hugo Marchand and Josep Monge. The Michelin Power Research Team bike will be prepared and run by Honda dealer Jean-François Daffix and his team, which is based in Aubière near Clermont-Ferrand.

25th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Power One Delivers Road and Race Performance

Technology developed through Michelin’s participation in motorcycle racing has been integrated into its new Power One range, reports the French manufacturer, resulting in a line-up of hypersport tyres that are – depending on the variant chosen – fine-tuned for road, track day or dedicated racing use.

Every component of the Power One, from architecture to tread design, represents the state-of-the-art in high-performance motorcycle tyres, comments Michelin. The range, recently introduced at a worldwide press launch at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve racetrack near Portimão in Portugal’s Algarve region, is available in two key sub-categories in order to enable riders to select a tyre most suited to his riding style, motorcycle and intended use.

24th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Named Fleet News Top Fleet Industry Supplier

Kwik-Fit has beaten a string of companies responsible for delivering a range of solutions to Britain’s multi-billion pound fleet industry to be named Fleet Supplier of the Year by Fleet News. While Kwik-Fit Fleet has been a regular winner of the Best Fast-Fit Company title at the annual awards ceremony, which for more than two decades has been hosted by the fleet industry weekly newspaper, this is the first time that the company has beaten off competition from other sectors – including the likes of AA Business Services and RAC Fleet – to win the top supplier accolade.

The Fleet Supplier of the Year Award is designed to identify the organisation which has gone the extra mile in providing exceptional service to fleet customers and has ‘stand out’ service levels, products and staff and a commitment to providing the best products or services. The award was presented at a ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on March 18 and follows Kwik-Fit Fleet being named the nation’s top fast-fit company for an impressive 16 years in succession in the annual BusinessCar Awards announced earlier this year.

23rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Audi, Corvette Claim Victories in Michelin Green X Challenge

Proving their race cars to be both faster and greener than the competition, Audi and Corvette scored the prototype and GT race wins respectively while winning the first Michelin Green X Challenge awards at the Twelve Hours of Sebring, the opening event of the 2009 American Le Mans Series season. Making its first race appearance, the low sulphur diesel powered Audi R15 TDI prevailed in an epic 12-hour battle against archrivals from Peugeot to claim the race victory while also using less energy. The pairs of cars from the two teams exchanged the lead 23 times in the 12-hour race that produced new records for race distance and average speed.

23rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Unipart Automotive Launches Apprentice Scheme

In the wake of Gordon Brown’s announcement to increase the number of apprenticeships for 16 to 18-year-olds, Unipart Automotive is launching an apprentice scheme across its Unipart Car Care Centre network from September 2009. Funded by the Learning & Skills Council, the programme will enable apprentices to benefit from skills training and continuous professional development, ensuring motorists receive the highest standards of service from the independent garage sector.

The three-year training course will provide successful students with both ATA and NVQ Level 3 qualifications. Apprentices will go through a strict selection process to ensure the most promising candidates are selected. In addition to the structured programme, those who are chosen for the Unipart course will also learn about the importance of using OE matching quality parts, garage accreditation and customer service, as well as elements of the industry renowned Unipart Way to give them tools to help with the day to day running of a workshop. With on-the-job training at Unipart Car Care Centres, the apprentices will be provided with Unipart-branded clothing, protective equipment and specific tools along the way.

20th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook MLB Campaign Debuts at World Baseball Classic

Hankook will kick off its 2009 consumer broadcast advertising campaign, scoring brand impressions during the 2009 World Baseball Classic, which is expected to reach more than 11.4 million viewers in the United States alone. Hankook’s virtual home plate signage will appear in half inning rotations during 33 televised games during the international competition as broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, MLB Network, ESPN Deportes and internationally on ESPN Star Network. Hankook TV commercials will be broadcast during the 16 tournament games on the new MLB Network as well as on all 39 ESPN Star broadcasts in Asia. Hankook will also have unique 3D signage at L.A. Dodger stadium during the WBC Finals games airing on ESPN and ESPN Deportes March 21-23.

“With the upcoming start of the 2009 Major League Baseball season, we saw a natural fit with the WBC broadcasts as the interest in this unique international competition continues to grow.” said Bill Bainbridge, director of brand communications for Hankook Tire America Corp. “Through our virtual signage and commercials during the WBC games, we are able to utilize a unique global platform to effectively present the Hankook brand to millions of baseball enthusiasts.” (Tire Review/Akron)

10th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho Official US Series Tyre

Kumho has been named the official tyre of the new Traxxas Off Road Championship (TORC) Series. In addition, Kumho will supply tyres to Scott Douglas in the Pro 4 class and to Chad Hord in Pro Lite class of the short course off-road racing series.

“We’re looking forward to continuing our participation in short course off-road racing,” said Rudy Consolacion, Kumho Tire USA’s motorsport manager. “This will be our ninth year of competition, and we’ll once again run with some of the best in the business. Scott and Chad have both won short course off-road championships and prove the performance, toughness and durability of our light truck tyres every time they take the green flag.” (Tire Review/Akron)

5th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Reports an Increasing 4×4 Marketplace Share

Ongoing advertising within leading consumer off-road magazines, a strong presence at major off-road events and encouraging results in tyre comparison tests are all factors Maxxis says is helping the brand increase its share of the 4×4 marketplace. The Maxxis range, which Maxxis International UK boasts is one of the largest line-ups of off-road, on/off-road and road going 4×4 tyres available in the UK, includes products for numerous specific applications. Amongst this line-up is the largest complete range to fit 16-inch Land Rover Rims, plus a series of extreme tyres and patterns purpose-designed to tackle muddy conditions.

Speaking of tough conditions, Maxxis reports that its 4×4 tyres are under evaluation by volunteer organisation 4×4 Response Wales, which is part of a nationwide network providing logistical support to the emergency services, local authorities and GPs in the event of severe weather conditions and emergency situations.

26th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Champion Drifter Joins Team Toyo

Toyo Tire USA announced today that Drifting World Champion Rhys Millen has become the newest member of Team Toyo. Millen will compete for the Formula Drift championship in a 550-horsepower, 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe equipped with extreme performance Toyo Proxes R1 tyres. In addition to the Formula Drift series, Millen plans to compete with the car in the Pikes Peak Hillclimb as well as Redline Time Attack events.

Since its release in 2007, the Proxes R1R has won two Formula Drift championships, the D1 GP championship and the Street Touring S class championship during the 2008 SCCA Solo National Championships as well as many time attack competitions.

12th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Reports an Increasing 4×4 Marketplace Share

Ongoing advertising within leading consumer off-road magazines, a strong presence at major off-road events and encouraging results in tyre comparison tests are all factors Maxxis says is helping the brand increase its share of the 4×4 marketplace. The Maxxis range, which Maxxis International UK boasts is one of the largest line-ups of off-road, on/off-road and road going 4×4 tyres available in the UK, includes products for numerous specific applications. Amongst this line-up is the largest complete range to fit 16-inch Land Rover Rims, plus a series of extreme tyres and patterns purpose-designed to tackle muddy conditions.

11th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Launches American Le Mans Green X Challenge

Michelin announced today that it would become the title sponsor of the “Michelin Green X Challenge,” supporting its stated commitment to a cleaner, more fuel-efficient race series. Beginning at the 2009 ALMS season opener in Sebring, the award will be presented at each race to one prototype and one GT team demonstrating the best overall performance, fuel efficiency and least environmental impact throughout the length of the race.

“Stretching fuel in competition wins races. Lowering fuel consumption for consumers stretches wallets at a time when saving money and saving the planet are both top concerns,” said Scott Clark, COO, Michelin Americas Small Tires. “Providing support to the American Le Mans Series through the ‘Michelin Green X Challenge’ is a natural fit for us and together with our partners, we can help encourage teams and manufacturers to demonstrate a cleaner, more fuel-efficient way to race, while maintaining performance and the spirit of competition.”

3rd February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

How Does This Grab You?

General Tire was introducing a new logo and marketing campaign for its Grabber light truck and SUV tyre, using the slogan “unbridled fury”, so said Kenny Sergeant, of Speedfreaks, on General Tire’s stand at the Sema show.

Sergeant reminded visitors of the success that Grabber has enjoyed in off-road motorsports and General is bringing the same proven off-road competition technology to the light truck market with the introduction of the new DOT legal General Grabber.

A tough, three-ply reinforced body construction and a race-proven Duragen tread compound stand up to the rigours of off-road, as well as, highway conditions. General Grabber’s optimised tread design and multiple tread edges work to deliver great side bite and lateral traction – especially in off-road conditions. Puncture resistant sidewalls and a specially-designed rim protection rib assure the tyre can stand up to any terrain.

30th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors