Ireland’s winter was one of the wettest on record, leading to frustration for farmers, as conditions in their fields proved too treacherous to work in. The right agricultural tyres can help to overcome such issues, as a number of Irish contractors using Bridgestone and Firestone’s latest agricultural products have found.
2 January 2018 is a very special day in the history of Ulster Tyres. 40 years ago the company was founded by husband and wife team Joe and Brighid McGinley. Joe was a director for a local tyre company and seen the opportunities in the tyre trade. Tentatively they opened the business in 1978 beside Whitehouse Motors in Ballybofey.
Rod McGovern won overall victory in the Yokohama-backed, 2017 Seat Supercup Ireland Championship this weekend, having finished runner-up in the last two seasons. Driving for Mick Merrigan Motorsport, McGovern clinched the title at Kirkstown Motor Racing Circuit when he took a fourth place finish in round ten of the series, securing an unassailable lead with two races of the season still remaining.
The Irish Road Hauliers Association (IRHA) and Midland Tyres Services Ltd (MTS) have jointly announced their opposition to the proposed inclusion of truck tyres into the pending Environmental Disposal Levy (EDL) scheme. IRHA and MTS said their opposition has the “strong and universal support” of their members and customers.
According to the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA), the Republic of Ireland’s proposed tyre compliance scheme, which is due to come into effect on 1 October, will “seriously distort end of life tyre recovery and recycling efforts on the island of Ireland with knock-on-effects in the UK as a whole”.
Euro Car Parts has acquired the business of Team P R Reilly, a family-owned, automotive parts, accessories and bodyshop business based out of Dublin, Ireland, and that of paint and collision repair supply specialist Karkraft (N.I.) Limited of Belfast. The agreement expands Euro Car Parts’ operations across Ireland, with a key focus on enhancing product availability, further improving delivery times and expanding into new market sectors.
Westlake tyres has partnered with The Irish Drift Championship (IDC) 2017 and says it will “cooperate with drifters to bring amazing shows for all the visitors”.
“Westlake Tyres are pleased to partner the Irish Drift Championship for the 2017 season. The IDC has some of the best drivers from around the globe and they compete at the highest level. Westlake Europe plays a big role in marketing the brand for all our tyre products and aligning Westlake tyre with top championships gives us the perfect opportunity to show-case our motorsport range,” said Chris Carpenter, a partner of Westlake Tyres in Europe.
Michelin staff from Stoke-on-Trent have flown to the Republic of Ireland to train the Irish Police Service (An Garda Síochána) – teaching them about tyre safety and technology through a specially-developed course.
The in-depth programme also showed the Garda members how to identify when poor tyre maintenance could have contributed to accidents.
Wheel alignment equipment specialist Pro-Align has opened its inaugural facility in Ireland. Located in Plato Park, Dublin (just off the M50), the facility provides a new base for its sales, servicing and installation teams, and includes demonstration and training areas which allow the company to demonstrate the Hunter range of complete wheel servicing equipment to workshops.
Ireland’s Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has introduced a new rule that will see motorists in the Republic receive a fine and/or penalty points for driving a vehicle with defective or worn tyres. The Fixed Charge Notice rule came into effect yesterday and adds teeth to the existing rules on driving with defective or worn tyres; drivers will now be fined €80 and have two penalty points endorsed on their licence upon payment of the fine, or will be given four penalty points following conviction in court.
Garage equipment supplier Pro-Align will continue the development of its operations in Ireland with the opening of a new facility in Dublin. The new premises will provide demonstration and training facilities, enabling workshops to see and experience the Hunter range of complete wheel servicing equipment at first hand. A full alignment bay and wheel servicing area will be included, similar to its Towcester base in the UK, alongside a dedicated service area and warehousing.
Speke-based tyre wholesaler Kirkby Tyres has expanded its operations in Ireland with the appointment of new original equipment business development manager (Ireland). Sean Dougan joins the company following 20 years at Philip White Tyres, giving him “a wealth of experience in the industry,” Kirkby stated.
A multiple Irish superbike champion will run on Bridgestone rubber for the first time, following the recommendation of a friend and selfless fundraiser, who tragically passed away last year. Brian McCormack, an 11-time bike racing champion, is switching to Bridgestone tyres for the first time, after Aidan Lynam – who died in an accident during a charity bike ride for Down Syndrome Ireland in May – had pushed him to make the decision for many months. The 32 year-old Waterford star will change from a formula that has served him well for years, opting for the manufacturer’s Battlax V02 Slicks.
A South Kildare farmer is reportedly benefiting from minimum ground compaction after becoming the first to specify a combination of VF 710/60 R42 and VF 600/60 R30 Michelin XeoBib tyres on a Fendt Favorit 716 – believed to be the largest set of Michelin tyres ever fitted to this model of tractor in Ireland.
The Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2016 is now out, and 15 new One Star establishments and two new Two Star locations lurk within its pages. In addition, no less than 25 new Bib Gourmand awards can be found in this latest edition.
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