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Dunlop may end tyre manufacturing at Fort Dunlop in 2014

Despite an illustrious history dating back to 1917, 30 May could mark the end of an era for Dunlop as officials confirmed that its motorsports tyre manufacturing operation will have to find a new home away from the historic Fort Dunlop site from 2014 if their new landlord doesn't lease it back to them again. According to the landlord, Canmoor, the site has been sold to neighbouring Jaguar Land Rover. Therefore it looks likely that Dunlop Aircraft Tyres (a completely separate company from Goodyear Dunlop) will be the only tyre manufacturing operation remaining in Birmingham after the end of the current lease. Dunlop's annual motorsport tyre output is currently believed to be around 200,000 units. 180 manufacturing staff are employed there along with roughly 120 tyre testing, sales and marketing personnel.

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  1. Dunlop: Motorsport tyre production is leaving Birmingham
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  3. Dunlop motorsport and more [UK] market shifts?
  4. Fort Dunlop to cease motorsport tyre production in September
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Pirelli clarifies position on Mercedes test, new 2013 tyres

Pirelli has rebuffed claims that its recent 1,000km test in Spain gave the Mercedes team, with whose 2013 vehicle and drivers the test was completed, any unfair sporting advantage over other teams. Speaking in a conference call with the press this afternoon, Motorsport director, Paul Hembery explained that the purpose of this test was to continue preliminary development for Pirelli’s potential 2014 tyres, though the manufacturer has yet to sign a deal to continue its supply. Hembery also clarified that the company has been allowed to test development tyres with available teams since March 2012, when it wrote to all the F1 teams to inform them of this position. These tests are conducted blind, meaning that only Pirelli can access the data drawn from the laps. Hembery also confirmed some details of the new tyres for use in 2013. The two new tyres are to be available for all teams to test in the Friday practice sessions in Canada, and it is anticipated that the full grid will support their introduction at Silverstone following these sessions. The tyres, Hembery said, are Pirelli technicians’ resolution to the delamination issues witnessed so far this season, and were developed in the laboratory rather than via track testing.

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  1. Pirelli rules out new tyre for Silverstone as Vettel canters to Canada win
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  4. British Grand Prix a “second home race” for F1 supplier Pirelli
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Re-focusing on Cooper: T&A interviews Jeff Schumaker

At the start of 2013, Jeff Schumaker took over as managing director of Cooper Tire Europe moving to the company’s Melksham headquarters in order to take up the role. But Schumaker’s appointment wasn’t a UK debut, but rather a return to the country and to familiar faces. Schumaker’s first stint in the UK took place roughly a decade ago in 2002/2003 when he was mentored by then MD Ron Shield and worked alongside his immediate predecessor in Melksham, Julian Baldwin, who was then marketing and motorsports director. Roughly four months after Schumaker took up the reigns at Cooper Tire Europe, Tyres & Accessories visited the company’s Melksham headquarters to see what direction the company is taking following the most recent change of leadership.

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Rosberg wins in Monaco with one-stop strategy

Nico Rosberg won his first race for Mercedes this year, ahead of Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, who extended his championship lead. The German was in front from start to finish, starting on the P Zero Red supersoft tyre and then switching to the P Zero Yellow soft during a safety car period. An accident on lap 45 brought out the red flag and under the current rules the drivers were allowed to change tyres during the stoppage. Rosberg completed the race on the supersoft tyre, following yet another safety car period with 15 laps to go. Pirelli had predicted a one-stop strategy, and this proved to be the case for most of the field, excluding the re-start. Monaco is generally one of the easiest races on the tyres, partially as a result of well rubberised roads and lower speeds than specialist track races.

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  1. Pirelli Concludes First F1 Test, Next in Barhrain
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Division and indecision over Pirelli F1 tyres

Pirelli’s decision to make wholesale changes to its range of P Zero Formula One tyres, as well as the sole tyre supplier’s future in the series, are hanging in the balance going into this weekend’s Monaco grand prix. The tyre maker appeared ready to go ahead with a plan to supply altered tyres from June – thought to be a mix between the features of the current rubber and last year’s model – but behind-the-scenes negotiations have followed that announcement.

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  4. Pirelli begins its F1 adventure
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Treadsetters to distribute Falken TBR tyres

Tyre wholesaler, Treadsetters has signed a new distribution partnership with Falken. The brand, which is seeking ways of expanding its commercial tyre activity in the UK, will supply truck and bus tyres to the Telford-based distributor.

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Yokohama a technical partner for latest Gran Turismo

Many tyre makers are involved in motorsport activities, and a racetrack presence can indeed do wonders for a brand’s public profile. Yokohama Rubber has announced its participation in a technical partnership with a difference – it recently became the first tyre manufacturer to serve as official technical partner to the popular ‘Gran Turismo’ series of motor racing video games. Yokohama lent its expertise to the latest version, Gran Turismo 6.

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Falken to take on Nordschleife in 14th Nürburgring 24 Hours

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The Falken Motorsports team has its sights on a top 10 ranking as it makes its way to the starting grid for its 14th Nürburgring 24 Hours. The team will take an upgraded Porsche 911 GT3 R to compete against a field of over 200 entrants. Falken is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, adopting the motto: “30 Years of Performance”.

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Maxxis appoints online content developer

Maxxis International has appointed Jas Ghata-Aura to the new position of online content developer. Maxxis says the appointment forms part of its heightening focus on digital communications. The tyre manufacturer, driven by the belief that online and social media platforms are fast becoming the most effective ways of communicating directly with consumers, has emphasised new media channels in growing its brand already and boasts a strong existing following on its social media channels as a result. It is hoped Ghata-Aura’s appointment will help to strengthen and build Maxxis’ presence, which in turn will give more existing and potential customers the opportunity to interact with the brand and its assets on a daily basis.

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Pirelli bows to F1 pressure with ‘new range’ to debut in Canada

Pirelli has announced that it will provide Formula One with a “new range” of tyres, starting at the Canadian Grand Prix on 7-9 June. The new tyres are described as a cross between the 2012 and 2013 models, and Pirelli has restated its hope to provide tyres that allow teams to make “two to three” pit stops per race. The change has followed mounting pressure from certain teams, the most prominent being Championship-leading Red Bull. Most recently Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz added his dissenting voice to team principal, Christian Horner in claiming that F1 is “nothing to do with racing any more”. His comments followed the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, where the harsher conditions led to many drivers taking four pit stops. The revised construction of the new tyres is designed to dial back the focus on short-term performance in order to increase reliability. The current P Zero F1 range will make its final appearance at the Monaco Grand Prix on 24-26 May.

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'We don't make concessions to 1 or 2 teams' – Paul Hembery interviewed

Before the Spanish Grand Prix, Paul Hembery spoke with Detlef Vogt, an editor with Tyres & Accessories’ sister magazine Neue Reifenzeitung. In this interview, the Motorsport director spoke in more detail about Pirelli’s Formula One tyre philosophy, the controversy that is quickly becoming a yearly tradition of the company’s supply tenure, and why the company is “not in the sport to be thanked or loved”.

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'Too many' pit stops at Spanish Grand Prix – Pirelli

Yet again Formula One is awash with dark whispers about the quality of the tyres provided by Pirelli. This past weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, won in style by home favourite Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), witnessed 79 pit stops with the majority of drivers – including Alonso – opting to take four. Pirelli’s current strategy for Formula One is to produce tyres designed for two-three stops over the course of the race. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus), who is having arguably the most impressive season so far sitting in second place in the Drivers’ Championship, was the most successful of the six drivers to remain within these guidelines, finishing second within 10 seconds of Alonso.

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  4. Webber prevails in Silverstone tactical challenge
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Toyo supporting BAMA race series

Toyo Tires has announced its support of the British Army Motorsport Association (BAMA) through the supply of discount tyres to Army racers throughout the season. Toyo will also provide prizes for successful competitors and set-up advice.

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Pirelli celebrates 50 years of Lamborghini supply

It’s now half a century since Pirelli first teamed up with Lamborghini, and celebrations to mark the golden anniversary began with a press conference at the Pirelli Foundation on 7 May, at which Pirelli chief technical officer Maurizio Boiocchi stated “we look forward to another 50 years together with Lamborghini.” The festivities will progress to Lamborghini’s headquarters in Sant’Agata, taking in Forte dei Marmi, Rome and Bologna along the way.

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Hankook extends DTM tyre partnership

Hankook and European touring car racing series DTM have signed an extension to their official tyre supplier deal, extending the partnership until at least 2016. DTM’s organisers have been sufficiently satisfied by the development of Hankook’s Ventus line of motorsport tyres to sign the deal ahead of schedule, while the Korean tyre manufacturer is keen to sustain the brand value and premium brand status it derives in part from this deal. Hankook added an all new option tyre specification this season, which it president & chief marketing officer/chief corporate management officer at believes allows the company to demonstrate the brand’s performance on premium brand vehicles.

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