Lee Hoggett, aka DJ String, was the winner of a £20,000 Hyundai Coupe in a nationwide competition organised by Kumho. Kumho UK managing director, Steve Tidmarsh, presented the prize at the Huntingdon Performance Tyres of Godmanchester – the ECSTA centre where Lee Hoggett originally entered the draw. The car, a top-of-the-range 2.7 litre V6 model was fitted with 18 inch Mille Miglia EV-R alloy wheels.
Dunlop’s appearance at the Autosport show saw the company launch a new 22 inch SP Sport Maxx size and promote its 2005 Race Academy. There was even the opportunity to virtually compete, with a race simulator. The motivation behind all this? In order to increase its exposure amongst the key “lifestyle” target audience.
The Autosport show was the first time that Dunlop has exhibited the 22 inch version of its SP Sport Maxx tyre in the UK. Developed in association with tuning companies that build modified BMW and Mercedes machinery, the company says the new tyres are designed to complement the existing product range which begins with a more humble 16 inch fitment. The SP Sport Maxx will now be available in 265/35R22, 285/30R22 and 305/30R22 sizes.
Manufacturers prepare for strong competition
The Russian tyre market has become more and more competitive. A market that “consumes” more than 1 million cars just 10 years after the collapse of its communist regime (2003: 1,046,000 cars) was never going to be neglected for long.
Russian manufacturers were formerly state-owned companies and because of this have a considerable amount of work to do to prepare for the Western competitors that will come to Russia with premium tyre imports, off take agreements and newly-built factories.
A bilingual supplement looks at the Russian market
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced that it established a Yokohama Design Center (YDC) inside the head office building of the Minato-ku, Tokyo-based company. The YDC is intensively equipped with advanced information technologies, workshop functions and audiovisual equipment so that it can contribute to the improvement of passenger-tyre appearance and the reduction of product development lead-time at the company.
The rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has warned tyre manufacturers that a break down in margins maybe on the horizon. The advice follows gleaming profits and figures from a number of manufacturers. S&P singles out Continental and Cooper for praise about their cost structures, adding that even the companies it considers to be well organised still risk being stung by raw material costs, which are responsible for 20 to 30 per cent of the turnover. S&P says it is concerned that due to tough competition it could become difficult to pass rising raw material costs on to the customers, and therefore margins would be under threat.
The search continues to find the top British garage technician of the automotive aftermarket. There is less than one month left to nominate candidates for the award and judges are looking for a technician with the right skills, knowledge and attitude to approach any job.
Woman magazine, is to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign by running a competition in association with National Tyres and Autocare. The competition will five readers the opportunity to win a limited edition pink Smart car, worth £8000, and raise money for charity at the same time.
Max Power London is back, offering a weekend of modified motors, stunt driving action and in-car-entertainment. On the 27th and 28th November thousands of car enthusiasts will be making their way to the Dockland’s ExCeL Centre to catch a glimpse of the six best modified motors in the world that will be on display at this year’s show.
Models including Victoria Sivlstedt, Lucy Pinder, Michelle Marsh and Kerri Parker will also be there to meet fans and autograph pictures.
Max Power London will be open from 9.00am – 06.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Tyres & Accessories has five pairs of tickets to give away. If you fancy winning a pair of free tickets along with a copy of the show DVD then answer this question…
What is the maximum speed category, in mph/kmh, of a V rated tyre?
Email your answers to info@77.237.250.82. Mark MAX POWER clearly in the subject header of your emails, and include your full contact details. The competition deadline is the 15th November.
A second win for Markko Märtin has clinched both runner-up honours for Ford-Michelin in the 2004 Manufacturers’ World Championship and has promoted the Estonian to within three points of Petter Solberg in the competition for the silver medal in the Drivers’ classification.
Max Power London is back, offering a weekend of modified motors, stunt driving action and in-car-entertainment. On the 27th and 28th November thousands of car enthusiasts will be making their way to the Dockland’s ExCeL Centre to catch a glimpse of the six best modified motors in the world that will be on display at this year’s show.
For a chance to win tickets click ‘more’
The EU Commission has given Continental the okay for its proposed takeover of Phoenix. “Therefore, there is nothing in the way of a merger of these two historic German companies anymore and we will find ourselves well positioned to deal with the worldwide competition,“ said Continental executive board chairman, Manfred Wennemer.
Hayes Lemmerz International has announced that it received an honourable mention in the 2005 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contributions to Excellence) Award Competition for its Flex Wheel.
Triumph Motorcycles has chosen the Michelin Pilot Power as the sole OE fitment for its 2005 Speed Triple.
The tyre was chosen as the best option for the 1050cc machine following extensive tests. It is described as combining “aggressive streetfighter looks” with “high quality chassis components.”
Jackie Mead, PA to the general manager of Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Ltd, has won the inaugural Smart Secretary/PA of the Year Award.
Subaru team driver Petter Solberg, has won the Rally of Italy keeping alive his hopes of defending the world rally championship title.
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