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Dunlop Nigeria to Borrow Funds for Modernisation

The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) Bank for Investment and Development has granted Dunlop Nigeria PLC a loan of US$8 million. The company was scheduled to sign a loan agreement at the ECOWAS Commission in the Nigerian capital city Abuja on November 23.

“The loan will enable Dunlop to partially finance the modernisation of some existing installations in its factory and procure new moulds for the manufacture of a greater range of products to meet the needs of the local market,” read a statement released by ECOWAS, a regional grouping comprised of 15 African member nations. Dunlop Nigeria will repay the loan over a five-year period.

23rd November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Eibach Extends Partnership with BTCC champions VX Racing

Suspension specialist Eibach UK has extended its technical partnership with Vauxhall’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship works team VX Racing following its successful 2007 season. Eibach supplied the team with performance springs and is proud of the contribution the springs’ immediate response, reduced body roll, increased stability and enhanced cornering ability made towards clinching the Drivers and Manufacturers Championships.

The extended deal was brokered by Triple Eight Race Engineering (888), the Greatworth-based organisation responsible for Vauxhall’s motorsport operations, which was highly pleased with Eibach’s contribution to the race-winning Vauxhall Vectra. “Eibach is the perfect partner for VX Racing,” said 888’s Commercial and Marketing Director Franck Marie. “Without doubt, Eibach has been an integral part of our success in 2007.

22nd November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Most Extreme Maserati to Wear Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT

It is considered the most extreme Maserati of all time – with 755 horsepower under the bonnet and a maximum speed of 202 mph – and it is designed exclusively for the racetrack. Now, Hubert Haupt, entrepreneur and former driver in Germany’s Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters racing series, has become the first driver to put a Maserati MC 12 Versione Corse through its paces on a regular street.

Haupt drove the MC 12 on a series of test laps on Italy’s Adria Raceway, and later secured the first-ever approval to drive the car on public roads. Taking charge of this level of power and race technology out amongst other drivers is no small responsibility, so Haupt selected tyres he was confident would handle his MC 12 well – the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT, in dimensions of 315/30 ZR 19 on the front axle and 325/35 ZR 19 (106Y) XL on the rear.

19th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Sumitomo Company to Purchase US Sporting Goods Maker

SRI Sports Ltd., a division of the Sumitomo Rubber Group, has announced that it will acquire the US company Cleveland Golf Co. for US$132.5 million. The Japanese sporting goods maker will buy all outstanding shares in the California based company, the fifth-ranking maker of golf clubs in the United States, from Quiksilver Inc. SRI Sports hopes to complete the share acquisition procedures by the year-end. Through the acquisition, SRI Sports, which makes Dunlop brand golf and tennis goods, is aiming to expand its business in the United States.

13th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop Names New Supply Chain VP for EU and EEMEA

Goodyear Dunlop has announced the appointment of Robert Scholte as vice president of supply chain for the company’s EU and EEMEA regions. Scholte joins the company from Nestle Purina Petcare where, for the past 3 years, he has been European Supply chain director. The appointment is effective 1 January 2008.

In a joint statement, Arthur de Bok, president EU, and Jarro Kaplan, president, EEMEA, said: “This appointment follows our recent announcement of the new supply chain organization across both regions. Robert joins us with an outstanding background, covering all the supply chain elements….he has held senior positions with responsibilities for raw materials, manufacturing, logistics, through to the final delivery of products to customers. We have underlined the strategic importance of this position and have found an individual who will work with all areas of the company to provide the most effective supply chain to our customers.“

5th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Takes 15th Consecutive 250cc World Championship Title

Jorge Lorenzo’s podium finish in the 250cc Race at the Malaysian GP on October 20 not only sealed his second consecutive World Championship title, but also brought Dunlop their 15th consecutive title in the 250cc category, whilst Hiroshi Aoyama’s win for KTM extended their unbroken sequence of 250cc GP wins to 186. Ten riders (Harada, Biaggi, Capirossi, Rossi, Jacque, Kato, Melandri, Poggiali, Pedrosa and Lorenzo) have contributed to this sequence of World Championship titles, whilst 30 different riders have stood worn their Dunlop winners caps on the top step of the podium since Max Biaggi started this unbroken chain of race wins at Suzuka in April 1996.

Despite what the manufacturer sees as a lack of competition in this class from other tyre manufacturers in recent years, Dunlop has continued to push forward with tyre development. During the year new race lap records have been established at nearly every circuit where racing took place in dry conditions, as riders reaped the benefits of a new front profile, introduced at the beginning of 2007, whilst its multi-compound rear tyres – first introduced to 250 GP at the end of 2005 – have continuously been improved and are now available worldwide as part of Dunlop’s standard range. Dunlop usually offers riders on factory machines a choice of three front and three rear dry specifications at each race.

26th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Falken Unveil Low Petroleum Tyre

Sumitomo subsidiary Dunlop Falken Tyres Ltd has lifted the lid on a new, almost entirely non-petroleum tyre at the Tokyo Motor Show. Known as the “Enasave 97”, the new tyre is 97 per cent comprised of non-petroleum natural materials.

The proportion of petroleum materials used in the new tyre was able to be significantly cut through the use of materials other than synthetic rubber for its sidewall and airtight inner liner. Owing to the molecular structure of natural rubber, creating an airtight skin using this product is more difficult than with synthetic rubber, therefore a change in its structural composition was required before being deemed suitable for use.

26th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Climbing the Ladder

In every sport a handful of championships typically bask in the lion’s share of media coverage and public attention, and motorsport is no exception to this phenomenon. Mention motor racing and most people will automatically think Formula One, WRC or one of the leading touring car events. Top drivers at this competitive level enjoy the status of being the Wayne Rooneys of their chosen series, and in terms of sponsorship can do very well indeed in their chosen profession.

But just as quality football also can be found in divisions below the Premier League, placing a focus solely upon the big name motorsport championships is to miss out on the opportunity to both witness a spectacle every bit as – and sometimes more – exciting than the high profile series events, and to follow the progression of racing’s most talented drivers through the various championships.

26th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Celebrity Tattoo Artist ‘Makes Her Mark’ with Dunlop

Fancy wearing your favourite tyre tread pattern as body art for the rest of your life? Don’t laugh, the world of tattoos and that of tyres are, unlikely as it may seem, coming together at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. One of the most highly regarded female tattoo artists in the US is joining Dunlop Tire to deliver the ‘Maxxed Out Awards’ on October 31. The Maxxed Out Award categories to be announced include imported and domestic performance cars for the street, race-prepped vehicles, VIP-style saloons, the best wheel and tyre combination, and the overall Maxxed Out award, given to the most spectacular creation wearing Dunlop tyres.

Gary Medalis, general manager for Dunlop Tires, said Von D’s appearance in the Dunlop booth takes the brand’s efforts to a new level. “While we’ve successfully promoted our brand with tattoos at SEMA the past two years, we feel Kat Von D will drive excitement around Dunlop tattoos to an even higher level.”

24th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Production Gathers Momentum at Dunlop India as New Workers Hired

Production facilities at Dunlop India’s Sahaganj plant have been operating seven days a week since October 14, evidence the company is on its way to fulfilling recently announced plans to increase production to 90 tonnes per day by the end of October. “We would like to see Dunlop operating 24 hours a day and seven days a week,” said Dunlop India chairman Pawan Ruia. “This is a step towards making the Sahaganj unit a cost-effective, high quality manufacturer of tyres and industrial products. Very soon, Sahaganj will surpass all its previous records in production and productivity.”

17th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Control Tyre Almost Certain for British Superbikes

It appears that at least one motorcycle championship will definitely change to a single tyre supplier for 2008. The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board of Great Britain (MCRCB) has been evaluating the feasibility of the competition with a single tyre supplier since September, and after much dialogue with riders and their teams, as well as with tyre companies, has elected to proceed with its plans for a switch to a single brand for both the Superbike and Supersport classes next year.

The two main contenders for the job are Dunlop and Pirelli, with the Italian manufacturer considered to have an edge on Dunlop in terms of experience in managing the type of logistics that would be involved. However Dunlop, who currently supplies the majority of the Superbike class teams and around half the Supersport teams with its products, is by no means in a weak position.

16th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Giovanardi Takes BTCC Championship by the Slimmest of Margins

A second place finish in the BTCC season finale has seen Fabrizio Giovanardi crowned this year’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Champion. The final race at Hampshire’s Thruxton circuit, which ended two laps early following an accident involving Mike Jordan in the Team Eurotech Honda, saw Giovanardi pull ahead of his nearest rival in the points stakes, Seat driver Jason Plato. Victories for Giovanardi in the day’s first two races saw Plato’s nine point lead in the championship evaporate, and by the end of proceedings on October 14 Giovanardi had 300 points under his belt, a winning margin of just three.

Italy’s Giovanardi, driving for Vauxhall, is the 32nd different driver to take out the championship since the BTCC was first formed in 1958, and the Vauxhall team had double reason to celebrate. This season, the first in which it has fielded the Vectra, saw it regain the BTCC’s Manufacturer’s crown from arch-rival Seat, winning by 637 points to 623. But it is the Spanish make’s Seat Sport UK squad that has won the Teams’ title. Elsewhere, Colin Turkington was crowned the Independent Drivers’ Champion while his Team RAC BMW squad has taken the Independent Teams’ honours.

15th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Ranked 5th in J.D. Power Survey

Hankook Tire recently announced that it has ranked fifth in the mass market/non-luxury segment of J.D. Power’s ‘2007 OE Tire Customer Satisfaction Study’. The manufacturer attributes this respectable placing to the company’s increasing focus on quality service and production, and its consistent investment of approximately five per cent of annual revenue into R&D.

Hankook Tire scored 810 out of 1,000 points, outperforming Bridgestone, Dunlop, Yokohama and Continental. The study measures overall customer satisfaction with their original equipment tyres, examining five key factors: wearability, appearance, traction/grip, ride and handling. Rankings are based on owner experiences with their tyres during the first year of ownership. Hankook Tire jumped its rank for third consecutive year; escalating from tenth in 2004 to eighth in 2005, sixth in 2006 and fifth in this year.

12th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Direzza Benchmark in Autocar Test

This year Autocar chose the Dunlop Direzza DZ02 a benchmark tyre for its detailed tyre test. According to Dunlop the tyre was chosen of its position as a leading road legal track tyre – and because it holds the lap record for road legal tyres at the infamous Nuerburgring Nordschliefe.

The Direzza was fitted to a Ford Mondeo TDCi to prove what kind of advantage a bespoke road legal track tyre could offer in the dry. The test team, led by Autocar’s Keith Howard claimed: “In the dry the Dunlop Direzza was much quicker through corners than any of the other tyres, in many cases needing a higher gear. Through the two fast S-Bends the difference was about 7mph. It was equally impressive under braking, stopping on average 2.6 metres shorter than the best conventional road tyre.”

11th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Reach 50,000 Tyre Milestone at Bathurst 1000

Dunlop proudly supplied its 50,000th tyre to the V8 Supercar Championship Series at the most prestigious race on the Australian motorsport calendar. Dunlop reached their 50,000th tyre milestone after beating rival manufacturers to win its third consecutive contract to supply its highly-acclaimed control tyre to teams participating in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series. Since 2002, Dunlop has been the sole tyre supplier to the Championship, providing and servicing more than 9,000 tyres per year.

10th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors