Nankang has been named official tyre partner of Japfest – billed as ‘Europe’s biggest Japanese car show – and the Trax. modified and performance car event. Nankang Tyre UK will entertain the crowds at both shows with displays from Nankang-shod drift cars, and will also display the latest Nankang product range at its stand.
Kumho Tyre Australia has become the new naming rights sponsor for the Australian Junior Rally Challenge, further expanding the company’s backing of the ECB Australian Rally Championship. Kumho is already the championship’s official tyre supplier. Announcing the company’s participation as naming rights sponsor, Kumho Tyre Australia’s national marketing and training manager, David Basha, said “Kumho believes in the future of the Australian Rally Championship and backing the Junior Challenge is all about nurturing the future stars of the sport who will help build interest in the championship overall.
The Australian Open has begun in Melbourne, and for the fourth year in a row Maxxis is on board as an official sponsor. It is also the ‘official tyre’ of the Australian Open. Under the terms of its sponsorship deal Maxxis signage is present in Rod Laver Arena (centre court), and the tyre maker is entitled to use the Australian Open logo in marketing materials and promotional activities.
Pirelli will be an official “motorcycle tyre” sponsor of US championship the Monster Energy AMA Supercross for the 2014 to 2016 seasons and sole tyre supplier for the Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX and BTO Sports-KTM teams. By signing a multi-year agreement with championship promoter Feld Motor Sports to be an official sponsor and through its support of riders Josh Grant, Justin Brayton, Andrew Short and Matt Goerke, the Italian tyre maker hopes to enhance its brand profile in the North American market.
Cooper Tire will be the official tyre of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) for the 2013-2014 season. The newly-announced partnership will see the tyre maker gain a “strong presence” at several CHL national series; Cooper says the partnership supports the company’s brand expansion into the Canadian market and is a “logical extension” of its Canadian market focus.
Pirelli has signed an extension to its supply of the Mini Challenge. The tyre supplier, which has original equipment deals to supply its P Zero and Cinturato tyres to the road-going Mini Countryman and Mini Cooper S, will supply both the Cooper class and the turbo-charged John Cooper Works class throughout 2014, the series’ 13th year. The series organiser said it had agreed to place controls on tyre usage in conjunction with the tyre supplier, with the aim of keeping down the cost of competing.
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) has selected Goodyear as ‘official tyre’ of the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing. Gary Melliere, general manager of Sponsorships at Goodyear North America, describes the partnership between the teams and the tyre maker as “a natural fit for the Goodyear brand and its superior performing tyres”.
Jorge Lorenzo’s victory at the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi means the Yamaha Factory Racing rider has set up an intriguing final round in Valencia, where the championship leader, Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez will seek to fend off Lorenzo’s challenge. Marquez finished second in Japan, limiting the extent to which Lorenzo could close the gap at the top; a similar finish in the last of three rounds held in both riders’ home nation would present Marquez with the title. Shinichi Yamashita, general manager of MotoGP supplier Bridgestone’s Motorsport Tyre Development Department, said he was happy with the performance of the manufacturer’s softer allocation this year, despite the lack of time to practice due to rain.
Avon Tyres witnessed a strong end to the 2013 Time Attack series at Brands Hatch, as two titles and an all-time Time Attack lap record were claimed on its tyres. Avon became an official tyre supplier to the increasingly popular Time Attack series at the start of 2013, supplying its acclaimed ZZR road-legal circuit tyres and full competition slicks to entrants.
Cooper Tire has replaced Firestone as the official tyre supplier to the US-based Indy Lights Series from 2014, making Cooper the official tyre of the entire Mazda Road to Indy ladder. The agreement will initially run for five years, with an option to extend beyond the end of the 2018 season.
It was announced today that Apollo Tyres is now Manchester United’s Official Tyre Partner in the UK and India. Tyres & Accessories was present at the deal’s signing at the club’s Aon Training Complex in Carrington and will report full details; the basics are that the three-year agreement will, amongst other things, see the two parties participate in a “joint community commitment to encourage healthy lifestyles and develop sporting skills in young people.”
Competing in its 125th anniversary year, Dunlop tyres have had another successful week at the Isle of Man TT. 14 out of 15 podium places used its tyres and three lap records were set in the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock classes respectively.
The first Isle of Man TT Supersport race once again saw Dunlop riders take 1st, 2nd and 3rd places on the podium – with Michael Dunlop continuing his winning streak using the latest road legal Dunlop D212 GP PRO tyres that were launched earlier this year. Michael Dunlop was joined by his brother on the podium, with William Dunlop taking third place and Bruce Anstey coming in second, 10 seconds behind Michael.
World Champion Italian cyclist Ivan Basso was at the Kenda Tyres booth at Autopromotec on 24 May. Between 10:00 and 12 noon the cycling star signed autographs and met with fans. The tyre conection is that Kenda tyres is currently the official tyre sponsor of the Cannondale Pro Cycling team based in Milan, Italy.
Dunlop Motorsport has announced the appointment of Jason Dee as manager, Motorcycle Motorsport Europe. He replaces Steve Male, who announced his retirement from Dunlop Motorsport after 43 years’ service. Dee has worked at Dunlop for 16 years, most recently being responsible for the Motorsport Sales and Operating Process and Supply Chain functions. He will be based at the company's Motorsport Technical Centre at Fort Dunlop, Birmingham, England.
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