Bridgestone Continues Red Tyre Rule Campaign
Bridgestone is still firmly in favour of the proposed new tyre rule that would see Formula One teams using both hard and soft compounds during the 2007 grand prix season.
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Heidfeld: F1 Control Tyre Means Less Overtaking
MotorsportBMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld has told motorsport reporters that overtaking will be more difficult when F1 runs solely on Bridgestone tyres next season. “Overtaking always used to be difficult in Formula One and I think its going to remain difficult,” he said, adding: “When you’ve got different tyres, it’s more probable that the cars will take different turns at different speeds. In consideration of this fact, I expect the overtaking to become slightly more difficult.” The new F1 season is set to get underway in Australia in March, with the competitive difference of the tyres being eradicated by the fact that all 22 drivers will be running on the same rubber.
Bridgestone Restructures F1 Group
MotorsportHisao Suganuma, the technical manager of Bridgestone’s Formula One tyre group will return to work at the Japanese’ manufacturers motorsport group in Japan in 2007 as part of the company’s staff rotation programme. Suganuma was appointed as F1 technical manager in 2001 and was a key figure in Ferrari’s four F1 world championship victories from 2001-2004. In 2007 Bridgestone will be the sole tyre supplier in Formula One and has appointed Kees van der Grint and Jun Matsuzaki as joint technical managers in view of the increased workload.
A Change At Bridgestone Racing?
Product NewsWebsites dedicated to motor racing are suggesting that there may soon be a change of personnel in the Bridgestone Formula 1 team, with Kees Van der Grint coming more to the fore. Van der Grint has extensive experience in the car design and motorsports arena, in karting, Formula 3 and Formula 3000 before moving up to Formula 1. His recent assignment with Bridgestone has involved close liaison with Michael Schumacher, who is retiring at the end of the 2006 season.
Forthcoming Rules On Motorsport Tyres Published
Product NewsThe World Motor Sport Council met in Barcelona recently and, in the subsequent press release issued by the Federation Internationale de L’Automobile (FIA), there were a couple of references to tyres in future Formula 1 and World Rally Championship events.
Union Counters, Goodyear and USW Remain Far Apart
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) As promised, the United Steelworkers offered its counter to a master contract proposal laid out by Goodyear last week. The counterproposal was issued late on 15 September, and industry observers note that they were considerably different than the tyremaker’s offer, leading to concern that the two sides remain far, far apart. The union’s plan calls for protected status for all Goodyear plants, wage and benefit increases, and protection of retiree benefits, while Goodyear offered protected status to all but two of its plants, cuts overall employment by 10 per cent, and seeks cuts in wages, benefits and retiree benefits.
Charity-minded Dealer Finds Formula for Success
Product NewsFirst Stop dealer, Steve Andrews, has discovered a new winning formula after using a race-ready Williams racing car to impress visitors at a local festival. Andrews, owner of Steve Andrews Tyres, St Austell, booked the car, used during last year’s Formula One World Championship, as a showpiece for an evening of live music and fireworks at the Charlestown Regatta in Cornwall. And it certainly made an impact, attracting huge crowds and helping to raise more than £1,200 for local causes.
US Grand Prix to Remain at Indianapolis
Product NewsTony George, the owner of Indianapolis race track, has agreed to extend his deal with Formula 1. This means the US Grand Prix will return to the Indy course, despite the 2005 USGP tyre debacle. Some observers saw the race’s future as doubtful following the well-publicised failure of Michelin tyres at the 2005 race. However, according to itv.com, F1’s successful return in 2006, with attendance figures rising above 100,000, triggered renewed interest in America. The website also published speculation that Bernie Ecclestone is considering a second US race “possibly through the streets of Las Vegas.”
John Bean Sponsors Jonny Milner Rally Team
Product NewsAlignment system manufacturer, John Bean has announced its sponsorship of the Jonny Milner Rally Team. Jonny is twice winner of the British Rally Championship winning the event in 2002 and 2003. This year Jonny is driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX and currently leads Group N Lancer Evolution Challenge following an excellent win at the Isle of Man Rally.
Honda F1 and BMW Lifted by Maywood
MotorsportMaywood Equipment Group has supplied the Honda Formula One team, based in Brackley, Northamptonshire, with a floor-to-floor platform lift (The Move 30) for the team’s wind tunnel complex. The Move 30 is a high-rise elevator type vehicle lift with a travel range of 1.8 to 12 metres and a capacity of three tonnes. In addition to taking cars from one floor to another it is also ideal for basement or roof parking. At Honda the lift takes vehicles from the ground level to the wind tunnel on the first floor and then up to the museum on the second floor.
Michelin Pleased that USGP Class Action is Thrown Out
Product NewsMichelin has admitted that it is pleased a class action case brought against itself, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Formula One was thrown out of court. The case was brought following last June’s now infamous US Grand Prix. “Michelin is very pleased with [US District Judge Sarah Evans Barker’s] decision dismissing the entire class action lawsuit,” pitpass.com quoted Michael Fanning, vice president, corporate affairs Michelin North America as saying.
“Schumacher in Threat to Quit F1” – Report
MotorsportMichael Schumacher has threatened to quit Formula One at the end of the year, according to an exclusive report in the UK newspaper, Sunday People. The article says that the seven times world champion has warned he will walk away from Ferrari if tyre manufactures Bridgestone don’t listen to him.
Bridgestone Competition Finalist Reports on Spanish GP
Product NewsBridgestone e-reporter finalist Donna Law, from Merton, London, is the youngest and only female Bridgestone e-reporter finalist in 2006. In the second phase of the pan-European competition for young sports journalists, Donna Law attended the Spanish Grand Prix as a roving reporter in the GP2 series paddock.
Cooper Names Formula D Drivers
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has selected its team of drifters for the Need for Speed Formula Drift (Formula D) drifting series. Casper ”Da Ghost” Canul and Matt Vassallo and Rob Fleming from Team Enjuku will lead the drifting team. Cooper will supply the drivers with Cooper Zeon 2XS, Zeon ZPT and Zeon Sport A/S tires.
Fast Fit Hat Trick
Product NewsFormula One Autocentres’ has heralded the start of its ongoing expansion plans by officially launching three new state-of-the-art Centres in Doncaster, Harrow and Chesterfield. Formula One Autocentres investment programme will see the fast-fit chain increase its network of centres to 43 nationwide. Continued expansion throughout 2006 will see a further seven new Autocentres Centres opened.
