Tyre energy to power vehicle electronics
Solar panels and wind turbines move aside, there’s a new source of electricity in town. It’s none other than the trusty tyre.
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Falken celebrates 20 years at the Nürburgring
Falken Tyres celebrated 20 years at the Nürburgring with sponsorship of the ADAC TOTAL 24-Hour Race (N24), held on 22-23 June 2019. The Sumitomo Rubber Industries brand’s team, run by Sven Schnabl, now fields two cars at the event, and in the VLN Endurance Championship. The UK’s Peter Dumbreck and Swiss driver Alexandre Imperatori drove the BMW M6 GT3 alongside BMW factory drivers Stef Dusseldorp and Jens Klingmann to claim an excellent sixth place finish, having started 31st on the grid, while the new Porsche 911 GT3R, driven by Austrian duo Martin Ragginger and Klaus Bachler supported by Porsche factory drivers Dirk Werner and Jörg Bergmeister, finished the race in 21st, having suffered an off that put paid to its chances of a top-ten finish. Falken also supplied racing tyres to Subaru Tecnica International’s WRX STI. Tyres & Accessories took the opportunity to catch up with Falken Tyre Europe’s new chief operating officer and president, Markus Bögner, on what is probably the rising company’s most important weekend of the year.
2018 a ‘turning point’ for Falken – Bögner
Markus Bögner, COO and president, Falken Tyre Europe, has told Tyres & Accessories that the brand reached a “turning point” in 2018, marked by “strong sales in an increasingly competitive market, with volumes exceeding expectations.” He said that the “Falken brand has become a genuine player in the premium tyre field, with OE sales continuing to grow over the past two to three years, particularly with premium manufacturers.
Falken celebrating 20 years at Nürburgring
Falken Tyres is marking 20 years at the Nürburgring with sponsorship of the ADAC TOTAL 24-Hour Race (22-23 June 2019). The Sumitomo Rubber Industries brand is hosting more than 400 tyre retailers and almost 50 journalists from all key European markets at the “Grüne Hölle”, the oldest and most famous part of the Nürburgring racetrack.
Tyre makers ready for Nürburgring 24-Hour Race
It’s 24-Hour Race time. Falken Tyres is returning to the Nürburgring this weekend with a tried and tested line-up, while Yokohama Rubber and Giti Tire are each supplying tyres to four cars competing in the 47th Nürburgring 24-Hour Race (ADAC Total 24h-Rennen). Dunlop has a major presence and says it is well prepared for the race, which it views as the “third chapter” in its “June motorsport trilogy” after the Isle of Man TT and Le Mans 24h. Michelin reports that “nine of the ten fastest teams” will race on its tyres.
Falken OE on Jeep Gladiator in US
Following Falken Tires’ recent selection as an original equipment (OE) supplier for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Falken tyres will also be OE on the 2020
Jeep Gladiator mid-sized pickup truck.
Falken Azenis FK510 wins Porsche Macan approval
Falken has won original equipment approval from Porsche, demonstrating the increasing premiumisation of the Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ brand. Falken is supplying the current generation of the Porsche Macan with the SUV version of the Falken Azenis FK510 in sizes 235/60R18 and 255/55R18. The tyres are rated W for speed (up to 270 km/h) and have load indexes of 103 and 105 respectively.
Falken hybrid and electric vehicle tech on show at E-Mobility Days Munich
Falken has showcased its latest technology to support alternatively fuelled vehicles, led by its new Ecorun AA tyre for hybrids, at the inaugural E-Mobility Days Munich event (3-4 May 2019). The two-day programme of activities included specialist lectures on electric mobility, the opportunity to test drive electric vehicles and visit the laboratories of Bundeswehr University, where alternative drive technologies are being researched. Falken also sponsored the event.
Falken supports Audi Nines skiing, snowboarding event in Austria
Falken Tyres will support the Audi Nines international freeskiing and snowboarding event as its presenting partner when the event returns in Sölden and Obergurgl-Hochgurgl. Austria. Falken will host twenty corporate guests at the exhilarating snow weekend.
Falken working with DriveTribe
Falken has signed a cooperation agreement with DriveTribe, the online automotive platform founded by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. The partnership is for a period of three months and Falken says content is king, with the main focus being on content production. While Falken provides the motorsports and test platforms, Richard Hammond is producing a range of material for the DriveTribe channels.
Falken and Micheldever extend regional advertising
Falken Tyre and Micheldever Tyre Services have extended a regional advertising campaign to bolster UK awareness of the Falken brand.
Falken Motorsports concludes 2019 shakedown ahead of Nürburgring return
Falken Motorsports has completed a shakedown of its 2019 race cars at Portugal’s Autodromo Internacional Algarve ahead of the 2019 VLN Endurance Championship, which begins on 23 March 2019. This season the team will introduce the new 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 R, with the test marking the first running for the new chassis as well as the new larger 300/680R18 Falken tyres fitted to the front axle to provide additional grip. The rear axle is fitted with 310/710R18 tyres, which are the same as the team’s previous model.
Falken Motorsports introduces new Porsche 911 for 2019
Falken Motorsports has introduced a new Porsche 911 GT3 R for the start of the 2019 motorsport season. The new Porsche will compete alongside the team’s BMW M6 GT3 at the Nürburgring, continuing the Japanese tyre brand’s 20-year commitment to the legendary Nordschleife with racing cars from two premium car manufacturers.
Falken specialist Walsall Wood Tyre & Service promotes tyre safety
Walsall Wood Tyre & Service, a Falken Tyre specialist based on Hall Lane Industrial Estate, Walsall, held a tyre safety check in December at The Fairlawns Hotel and Spa, in Aldridge, for all staff and patrons. The event at the award-winning independent hotel was the first in a series of safety initiatives within Walsall Wood’s local community.
Falken OE on Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Sumitomo Rubber reports that it has begun supplying Falken Ziex ZE001 A/S tyres to Subaru for its Crosstrek Hybrid model in the USA. This plug-in SUV model goes on sale in America this winter.
