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Isle of Man TT victories for Dunlop, McGuinness and Plater

Public road racing plays an integral part in the development of Dunlop’s motorcycle tyres, and the British manufacturer’s ‘Race to Road’ philosophy is one that facilitates the delivery of the best race-derived technology to consumers. The recent Isle of Man TT race, an event considered by some to be the most notorious public road racing event in the world, is for Dunlop the perfect testing ground for the company’s tyres – and recent results suggest the manufacturer has passed the test with flying colours.

Following what proved to be one of the most competitive Isle of Man TT Senior races in recent memory, John McGuinness, aboard his Dunlop-shod Padgetts Manx Gas Racing Honda, emerged victorious once again. A year after attaining the first ever 130mph lap around the famous Mountain Course, McGuinness took to the top step of the podium for the 14th time. The result means that only public road racing legend Joey Dunlop, who took 26 wins, is more successful than McGuinness at the Isle of Man TT.

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Marangoni Licensed to Produce ContiTread Retreading Materials

Marangoni Group and Continental AG have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see Continental transfer the production and marketing of ContiTread pre-cure treads. “Marangoni and Continental have been working for years in various fields together successfully. This cooperation is another important and complementary facet,” said Eckhard Wilanek, Continental’s Managing Director of Fleet & Retread Business. No details of the financial side of the arrangement have been released, but both companies hope to benefit from faster growth in the global marketplace – Maragoni in the retreading segment and Continental in the new tyre business.

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

New Optima Range Generating Much Interest, Reports Bernaerts

For Bernaerts Tyres International, the Belgium based tyre distributor and wholesaler, Reifen Essen presented the first major opportunity for displaying the company’s latest brand. When T&A spoke to company sales manager Luc Claeys during the exhibition, it was evident this new range, Optima Tyres, is one Bernaerts is promoting with absolute confidence throughout its European markets, including the UK.

“The Optima range was launched late in 2007,” commented Mr. Claeys. “It is our own range, an exclusive private label. And when we say it is our own range, I should point out we aren’t simply purchasing overseas made tyres and selling them under the Optima name. The moulds used in production belong to us and were built to our own design and specifications with heavy investment.”

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Advanced ID Applauds NHTSA’s Tyre Ageing Advice

RFID developer Advanced ID Corporation has published a statement supporting the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) recent Consumer Advisory on the dangers of aged tyres. On 2 June NHTSA kicked off the summer driving season with a warning to motorists to check their tyres – including the spare – for signs of wear, under-inflation and age. The season’s heat, especially in hot climates, can take its toll on worn, old or improperly inflated tyres leading to tread separations, crashes and rollovers, the advisory said.

“We believe that NHTSA’s consumer advisory on tire safety is going to have a significant effect on the rubber manufacturers – this is the first time the US government has taken a public position on the issue,” said Dan Finch, President and CEO of Advanced ID. “Our global partners around the world are poised to begin implementation of tire tags for its many benefits, including the means to identify tyres in case of failure. All the tyre tag tests being conducted in numerous markets around the world – from Asia to Europe to Latin America – have been concluded or are near conclusion and, hopefully, the US will follow suit quickly before failures result in loss of life.”

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

India’s Tyre Output Growth Falls Short of Forecasts

Growth in India’s tyre production is likely to fall short of forecast results, with output levels hampered by dumped Chinese tyres and high manufacturing costs. According to Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) director general Rajiv Budhraja, in an interview with Reuters, these factors mean domestic manufacturers will remain under pressure in the short term.

The ATMA previously forecasted growth in 2008 to increase by 2 to 3 percentage points to about 12 or 13 per cent. According to Budhraja, however, “a steady, subdued growth” is now expected in place of this. “Fuel price is going to be a major dampener,” he added, referring to a recent state-ordained 10 per cent increase in the cost of fuel, the greatest price rise in more than a decade. He added that a drop in mileage covered by private vehicles would lead to a fall in demand for tyres in both the OE and replacement markets.

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin on Top in “Rolling Resistance” Tests

An independent testing organisation has found that the Michelin Energy Saver tyre “has a rolling resistance 20 per cent lower than its direct competitors.” Furthermore, the tyre was also found to have safety features comparable to more roll-resistant tyres; braking distances were found not to increase when using the Energy Saver.

The test centre TÜV SÜD Automotive researched the comparative performance of Michelin’s Energy Saver alongside tyres from six other major European manufacturers. Doubts about the grip and braking performance of the Energy Saver have been scotched by the tests, which add to the evidence gathered by the same organisation in September last year that the tyre has greater durability than its nearest rivals.

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

MAK Launches New Wheels

Italian wheel manufacturer MAK used the Essen show to launch a number of new additions to its product range.

The first of these is the Corsa, designed with young customers in mind, hence its sporty appearance and attractive price/quality ratio. The wheel’s 20 spokes give the Corsa a light and modern look; the spokes are slim and tapered and the wheel is presented in a finish known as Ice Titan – dark grey for the rims, high sheen diamond for the spokes.

The Corsa is available for four and five stud fitments, maximising the number of 15″ and above fitments for which the wheel is suitable. It comes in four sizes: 6.5J15″, 7J16″, 7J17″ and 8J17″.

New wheel number two is the MAK Veloce – the name means ‘fast’ – and it boasts a stylish, 10 coupled spoke design with a “satin” finish. The spokes curve slightly and the design of the wheel is graceful and open.

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Wolverhampton’s Iconic Goodyear Chimney Set to Tumble

The days of an iconic Wolverhampton landmark are drawing to a close. Preparation work has already begun for the demolition of the Goodyear chimney that for decades towered over a once bustling tyre manufacturing plant, and by late June or early July the imposing 150 foot high blue and yellow brick structure will exist only as a memory.

At its peak the Goodyear facility in Wolverhampton employed 7,000 people, but today this number has shrunk to 450, the remaining workers engaged in the production of retreads and compounds for use in other European Goodyear factories. The bulk of the factory site will be redeveloped into a residential area with 700 houses, shops, a park and a school. The first houses will be built in 2010.

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

New ECI Website Launched

Market-leader in independent tyre, accessory and equipment shows, ECI International has launched a newly overhauled website, eci-international.com.

The site features improved graphical presentation and the ability to navigate around the site with greater ease. Also available on the site is an array of information on ECI’s three forthcoming exhibitions: Tyrexpo Asia 2009 at the Singapore Expo Centre between 24-26 March 2009; Brityrex in Central Manchester (G-MEX) from 22-24 September 2009; and Tyrexpo Africa in Johannesburg during March 2010.

The company has also relocated its European office to Speldhurst Business Park in Kent.

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Federal Sponsors Formula Drift Schelley

In the USA, Taiwan-based Federal Tyres is sponsoring Henry Schelley in the Fifth annual Formula Drift Pro Championship. The seven–round competition, featuring courses in five different states across the country, began on 12 April on the Long Beach Grand Prix Street Course, where Shelley’s Mazda Rx-7 – fitted with Federal 595 Competition Series tyres – achieved a respectful 22nd placement from a field of more than 60 drift-modified vehicles.

Post-competition, Schelley praised Federal’s input into his performance: “The tyres seamlessly integrated with Mazda Rx-7 and simultaneously reported a sensitive road feedback which delivered the correct guidance in a split second so to make the track easy to navigate.” Federal hopes that Schelley’s performance will increase brand-awareness among the sold-out bleachers, filled with “racing buffs”, at each Drift Grand Prix course.

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Tyres Appoints Chief of Research & Technology

Peter Becker, former senior manager at Goodyear Dunlop Germany, has been appointed Chief, Research and Technology at Apollo Tyres Ltd. He has formally joined the company this month and will be leading Apollo Tyres’ initiatives in tyre technology, research and new product development, especially with regard to European market needs. Mr Becker will be based in Germany, where he will be responsible for establishing an R&D facility for Apollo Tyres. He will be working with Apollo’s research, technology and design teams across geographical locations in India, South Africa and Europe. The company has previously announced plans for a 200 million euro passenger car radial tyre manufacturing facility in Hungary.

According to a company statement, the appointment forms part of Apollo Tyres Ltd’s ongoing plans for the European market. Peter Becker commented: “I am excited by this opportunity and impressed by the possibilities the future holds with Apollo Tyres. I am positive that we will be able to bring out competitive products which address customer needs.”

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Le Mans is Michelin’s ‘Battleground’ – Henry-Biabaud

This weekend the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race takes place at the historic French circuit, and for ‘local’ manufacturer Michelin the event holds particular significance. According to Michelin motorsport director Frédéric Henry-Biabaud, the Le Mans race is Michelin’s “home battlefield” and losing at Le Mans is “out of the question.” But after securing ten consecutive victories, the motorsport director expresses every confidence that Michelin’s winning streak will continue.

It was a very good result for Michelin,” said Henry-Biabaud. “It was also an extremely memorable race thanks to the arrival of Peugeot to compete against Audi.” With the addition of Peugeot, Michelin now supplies more than 60 per cent of the field. “For us, that presented an additional challenge, as we needed to make sure that we supplied those two teams – as well as everybody else – with absolutely equal equipment. It was essential to be completely impartial with everybody.

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Starco Develops Specialist Trailer Tyre With GiTi

During Tyres & Accessories’ visit to Starco, the company unveiled the new KargoMax trailer tyre and announced a five-year exclusive OE agreement. According to GiTi Europe’s Richard Lyons, the KargoMax is the first time a tyre manufacturer and OEM supplier have cooperated on the development of a full range of trailer tyres aimed at the high speed trailer and touring caravan market.

What sets the KargoMax apart from other products in the trailer segment is its “mission-matched” development. Company representatives told Tyres & Accessories that design features include construction aimed at counteracting heat build-up; and specially designed sidewall enhancements to help combat the effects of ageing – something that is particularly relevant in this segment.

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bosch Reaches Sensor Milestone

Bosch invented and started production of automotive oxygen sensors in 1976. Ten years after its launch in the US, Bosch celebrated delivery of the 10 millionth oxygen sensor. By 1993, production hit 50 million, and reached 250 million in 2001, said Bosch. Currently, Borsch said it produces some 5,000 oxygen sensors per hour worldwide.

“The importance of oxygen sensors will further increase in the future. Continued intensification of emission limits, tight installation space conditions, ever-increasing fuel prices and stricter requirements for metering accuracy and durability continuously drive further developments at Bosch,” said Wolf-Henning Scheider, president of the gasoline systems division at Robert Bosch GmbH. (Tire Review/Akron)

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Grouptyre Adds to Sales and Marketing Team

Grouptyre has appointed Jason Clarke as sales director and Lucie Dalton as marketing and operations support manager. Jason Clarke will manage Grouptyre’s five-strong team of regional sales and national account managers and is also tasked with new business development. He is especially keen to explore initiatives with regional independents, dealership groups and national accounts.

Clarke has a Diploma in Business and Finance Studies and began his career in confectionery and garden equipment sales, but is a familiar tyre industry figure having spent the past 10 years with Cooper Avon Tyres. After joining Cooper Avon Tyres in 1998 as an area sales representative, he was promoted to regional sales manager for Wales and the Midlands and, following restructuring in 2006, took over as UK sales manager.

11th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors