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SEMA goes hip-hop?

Last year 105,000 people attended the SEMA show. This time around the association expects to have attracted a similar number, roughly half of which are likely to be national or international buyers. According to the association, “early analysis of show activity and reports from members suggests a significant increase in buyer participation and business.” The success of the show has obviously been influenced by the large amounts of publicity that it generates. Tyres & Accessories reviews some of the highlights of a show that has all the glitz and glamour one would expect from an exhibition held in Las Vegas.

Cashing in on the hip-hop culture and its associated appetite for vehicle modification, the SEMA show’s organisers were keen to point out that “car enthusiast celebrities” Snoop Dogg and Usher were present. Not to mention the television production companies responsible for a new generation of fly-on-the-wall automotive tuning programmes including Overhaulin and Pimp My Ride. The show’s organisers also noted the presence of celebrities with just a little less street cred, namely Jay Leno and Hulk Hogan, not to mention motorsport luminaries like Mario Andretti.

In recent times, a number of manufacturers have tried to cash in on the novelty value of both tuning and the lucrative street-culture attached to it. Pirelli tyres, for example make regular appearances on MTV’s Pimp My Ride. The Italian manufacturer’s products have also successfully managed to find their way into the lyrics of various rappers and an association with one of the world’s most famous basketball players.

According to those behind the specialist equipment extravaganza, “the SEMA show has become a magnet for anyone connected with the automotive culture.” And this is exactly what the they want to market the show as, a show that is all things to all people. In the organisers’ words: “Only at the SEMA Show can you find: a classic roadster alongside the newest in off-road racing and performance technologies; a place where Shaquille O’Neal’s DUB-customised Cadillac Escalade competes for attention with the hot new Dodge Magnum or Chrysler 300C alongside Jay Leno’s totally unique Oldsmobile Toronado.”

During SEMA 2004, tyre manufacturers were keen to make sure their products were the centre of attention, with some going to greater lengths than others to ensure that this was the case.

5th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

The Aftermarket Show 2005

The Aftermarket Show will open its doors to tyre industry visitors at the NEC from 13 to 16 January next year. Organiser, Haymarket Exhibitions, believes that the show will be both relevant and appealing to all sectors of the industry.

“The tyre section of the show is sponsored by the TIC, and the NTDA is again taking a stand; this is an exhibition that the tyre and fast fit market is keen and willing to support,” says Haymarket’s group sales manager Giles Brown.

Exhibitors such as Vredestein, Nordisk, Rage, Eurosport, Autopart and equipment suppliers like Supertracker, Tecalamit and Mace Industries will all be returning for a second successive year.

The last show was the first to combine all elements of an aftermarket industry, elements that had previously been exhibited as separate entities within Autosport International. The move is also an attempt to emphasise the combination of business and pleasure, and the automotive exhibition takes place over a full weekend for the first time. More than 90,000 people, including almost 25,000 from the automotive trades, attended the NEC for the two shows in 2004.

Although the focus is on the consumer, brands such as Dunlop, Pirelli, Uniroyal, Yokohama, Kumho and Silverstone will all be displaying their latest motorsport and high performance ranges to visitors. Fulda will also be present and is sponsoring the Live Action Arena at Autosport International as part of its campaign to launch its ultra-high performance car tyres in the UK.

5th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Fulda Showcase at Autosport International

The new “Exelero” will be launched on the Fulda stand at Autosport International 2005 at the NEC in Birmingham. According to the tyre manufacturer which is also title sponsor of the live action of the show scheduled for 13-16 January 2005 this new ultra-high-performance tyre features shorter breaking distances on wet roads, safe handling and low noise. The tyre has also been tested and certified by TÜV, Germany’s independent test institute. As well as the Exelero launch, there will be additional activity on the stand including the Fulda 4X4 range and Fulda’s passenger car tyre showcase. There will also be on display the Fulda Challenge RAV4. On 29 January our UK representatives, Richard Jackson and Emmie Gribble, will fly to the Yukon Territory in Canada to compete in the Fulda Challenge – the ultimate endurance event. Both will be on the Fulda stand on Thursday 13 January.

3rd January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Names Future Director of Motorsport

Following the news that Pierre Dupasquier will retire in 2006, Michelin has announced that Frédéric Henry-Biabaud, the current deputy director, will replace Mr Dupasquier at the end of the 2005 season. At the same time the tyre manufacturer gave further details of personnel changes within its motorsport group.

The motorsport group is made up of five departments. The leadership of the group’s rallying, motorcycling, endurance racing and rally raids divisions will remain the same. Michelin’s Formula 1 division, however, will have a new head. Following the departure of Pascal Vasselon, bound for a new position in America, Nick Shorrock will take over responsibility from January 2005. Patrick Cohen will assist him as a technical manager.

Commenting on the recent decisions, Motorsport Director Pierre Dupasquier said: “I am very happy to see that we are putting teams into place early enough to whom I can pass the torch, therefore guaranteeing the quality of service that we owe all our partners and the continuity of Michelin in racing.”

10th December 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Offers Global ADVAN-tage

Japanese based tyre manufacturer, Yokohama has officially launched its Advan brand. In an effort unify its global image, the company will now adopt one name for its premium products instead of the regional variations that currently exist. According to Yokohama, the newly launched brand reflects the company’s “highest performance” and “highest quality” image. The Advan name will adorn all of the company’s new global high performance products. At the same time as launching this new product concept, the company also released two new Advan branded products, the Advan Sport and Advan ST.

8th December 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

New Dunlop Website

Dunlop Tyres have published a new website which features articles of motorsports greatest charcters, including Sir Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell and Sir Stirling Moss. The ‘Drivers Know’ site also provides features on the jazz generation, as well as new design technology looking at Dunlop’s RunFlat tyres and the ultra-high performance tyre, SP Sport Maxx.

Visitors to the site will also get a chance to take a break at Café Dunlop. Here there are reviews on great reads for the passionate driver, the best driving films ever made and the ideal musical accompaniment to the perfect drive. Take a look at the design icons gallery or enter the forum for your say. There are also competitions to win your dream drive or the chance to win the ultimate jazz collection.

Commenting on their most recent part of the company’s publicity drive, Geraldine McGovern, Dunlop brand manager said: “The blend of articles and features on the site were all provided by people in the know. The intelligent premium content from motorsport to lifestyle features delivers Dunlop’s Drivers Know proposition online”

29th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Europe’s Evanescent Motorsport Culture

Motorsport isn’t just about speedy overtaking manoeuvres and exciting finishes. Instead a major part of its attraction is owed to the people that live for motorsports and who – if missing – would make the event that bit less interesting. Without doubt one of these people is Pierre Dupasquier. For 30 years the Michelin motorsport director has been generally regarded as the driving force behind the French tyre manufacturer’s involvement. In addition, he is one of the few who, although not a driver himself, is allowed to comment on races on TV. Tyres & Accessories had the opportunity to meet the passionate 67 year old Frenchman and talk about the coming season.

To download this article as a PDF file, click here.

26th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Top Technician 2005

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.

23rd November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Fulda to Showcase UHP tyre to UK Market

Fulda will be launching its new UHP tyre at Autosport International early next year. The company has already announced that it is to be the title sponsor of the live action arena at the show during the 13-16 January 2005, and will be using the opportunity to promote its new tyre.

23rd November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Autosport Backs MIA Awards

The Motorsport Industry Association has confirmed that its annual Industry Awards dinner will be held at Autosport International in January next year. The show and its organisers will also sponsor the Export Achievement Award.

The dinner will be held in the grounds of the NEC on the first evening of the show, Thursday 13th January 2005. Awards will be presented across seven categories; business of the year, teamwork, small business of the year, export achievement, rally business of the year, technology and innovation, and service to the industry.

Over 600 executives from the motorsport and high performance engineering sector are expected to attend the event, which will also include an address from speaker Stuart Turner.

23rd November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Decisions in the World of Formula 1

With Formula one’s team submission deadline looming, the future of the Jaguar team hung in the balance. That was until today, when Austrian owned drinks company, Red Bull, stepped in and rescued Jaguar from motorsport extinction. The new Red Bull Racing team’s tyre choice remains unclear.

At the same time as selling the Jaguar team, Ford has also sold engine manufacturer and Formula 1 supplier, Cosworth, to Mr Kevin Volkhoven, known for his associsiton with the Champcar series. Cosworth will supply Red Bull Racing with engines, while Minardi will receive identically constructed engines. Minardi however, will use old Cosworth engines for the first four races of next season. Jordan, a team that also had a question mark over which manufacturer would supply its engines, will now be supplied by Toyota.

15th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper to Supply New Motorsport Series

Cooper will supply the A1 Grand Prix, a new FIA approved motorsport series, which will begin in September 2005. The three-year agreement requires Cooper to produce slicks and treaded rain tyres for the series championship, which the company describes as “the World Cup of motorsport.”

8th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Has the Last Word in Brazil

After a distinctly variable season, Michelin has ended the Formula 1 year on a high note. The BMW William’s Juan Pablo Montoya said a fond farewell to the team by winning the Brazillian Grand Prix.

25th October 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

New Tyre for 2005 BTCC

Dunlop has launched a new tyre for the BTCC in 2005. The tyre will be made from the same compound and in the same size as those currently in use but will feature a stronger construction.

15th October 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone After Michelin Teams

Online motorsport news services are reporting that Williams, Renault and Toyota are all linked possible moves from Michelin to Bridgestone next season. According to the website Bridgestone has approached all six Michelin-shod Formula 1 teams, including McLaren, Jaguar and BAR. Williams, Renault and Toyota are believed to have responded with requests fore more information, according to British media sources. The source said Bridgestone wants at least one carmaker-backed Michelin team to switch camps and thus contribute to development of next year’s Formula 1 product.

New rules in 2005, requiring a Formula One tyre to have a longer life, will mean that the quality, and quantity, of this winter’s development will be even more crucial to success.

6th October 2004/by Tyrepress Editors