The new Michelin X One XDN 2 Grip is the first tyre with a tread design and architecture that incorporates all three elements of “Michelin Durable Technologies” —an array of technological solutions developed by Michelin that includes patented Double Wave sipes, Raindrop sipes and InfiniCoil technology. Available in 495/45 R 22.5, the Michelin X One XDN 2 Grip is a wide single tyre designed to replace twins on the truck’s drive axle.
All roads lead to the Snetterton race track in Norfolk for the inaugural round of the Dunlop ‘Great & British’ Festival series. Spectators will see drivers of Radical, Ginetta and Mini race cars battle it out in the opening round of their respective championships.
The Dunlop ‘Great & British’ festival brings the respective championships together under one banner and highlights from each round will be shown on Sky Sports TV. The event gets underway on Saturday morning, the first wheels turning at 9:00 am with the day dedicated almost entirely to qualifying and the first race of the meeting, starting at 5:00 pm.
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. launched the new Dunlop SP WinterSport 3D, a winter high performance tyre, during its dealer meeting in Nashville. The SP WinterSport will be available in 22 sizes for the 2006-2007 winter season, Goodyear officials said. The new tyre features what the tyremaker calls “3D sipes,” designed to “enhance grip for performance and ultra-performance sports cars,” the company said.
At the end of November a group of 12 tyre dealers from throughout the country flew to Dubai to take part in the BFGoodrich Grip Challenge, a five-day event driving Mitsubishi Pajero T1s across the desert and up into the mountains of the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring Oman.
Officials in Kent County, Michigan, have offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of whoever has been dumping scrap tyres along its roads and those of three other counties.
So far almost 10,000 dumped tyres have been collected in the four counties, with collection and disposal costs running into thousands of Dollars.
Tyre Collections Services (TCS) have suffered what local firefighters have described as a “huge” fire. Fire crews took more than 24 hours to get the fire under control after witnesses reported seeing a plumes of smoke coming from the company’s Bull Lane, Moxley, Wednesbury site.
Commenting on the fire, TCS Managing Director, Mark Hetherington said: “Of course this is a real blow to our imminent operations and it is too early to say just how much damage the fire has inflicted on the site. However some tyres were rescued from the affected area and it is our hopeful intention to remain trading in whatever format is possible.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Mining Engineering magazine reported that one of the world’s largest mining companies said it may have to reduce copper production because of a shortage of large truck tyres. An executive of Corporacion Nacional del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) said demand for truck tyres currently exceeds supply. Guillermo Vero, Codelco Norte’s vice president of mining and metallurgy, said the shortage involves tyres for 300-ton haul trucks.
The Transport Research Laboratory is trialling a project to turn roads into collectors of energy. In summer, the sun’s heat absorbed by the road’s surface is collected by water circulating through pipes installed below the surface and retained in insulated heat stores in the ground. The heat will remain stored ready for recovery in the winter. The trial is being carried out on a road near Toddington Services (M1 Junction 12) and will last two years.
Kenda Tires has completed the long-term test of its latest snow tyre. According to the company, the Polar Trax KR19 is designed to supply the grip and traction on the ice, snow, and wet road conditions. The new product will now be launched into the European market.
Kenda reports that it has produced its latest offering with winter road conditions in mind. The Polar Trax features what the company called a “premium twine construction” and drainage grooves for more efficient water clearance. Handling ability is said to have been enhanced by a special silica compound, which Kenda claims is an essential element when it comes to preventing aquaplaning. The tyre’s zigzag sipes also provide traction and grip to cope with the winter roads.
Continental is to supply the new BMW M5 Limousine and the M6 Coupé. The German automotive supplier will provide both its MK60 E5 brake system and ContiSportContact 2 tyres. “Once again, BMW is placing its trust in our know-how and expertise for its top sporty models, following the current M3 and M3 CSL models. We’re very pleased about this,” said Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann, president of Continental Automotive Systems and member of the Continental AG Executive Board.
ATS Euromaster is urging fleet managers to prepare their drivers for winter by placing orders for cold weather tyres before the end of July to ensure stock availability and delivery before the winter season sets in.
The retailer’s interest coincides with the UK tyre industry’s recent commitment to create a cold weather tyre market in the UK, as opposed to a winter tyre market.
Pirelli tyres have been chosen as original equipment on the BMW M6, the German manufacturer’s new Luxury Sports Coupé, presented this week to the international press, exclusively shod with the ultra-high-performance P Zero Corsa System.
The poor quality of American roads cost vehicle owners an extra $52 billion in annual repair, according to Market Analysis, a quarterly market research newsletter published by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). According to the Tire Review report, poor road conditions may also play a role in nearly 30 per cent of traffic fatalities, MEMA has found.
Hawleys Tyres, of Sheffield, has joined the Bridgestone UK First Stop network of independent tyre dealerships. Established by Martin Hawley (grandfather of the current owner), in 1910, the company claims to be the oldest independent tyre dealership in the UK. The company will now receive marketing and public relations support, an exclusive tyre brand, and First Stop and Bridgestone branding on signage and work wear.
After a long summer soaking and autumn that is showing little sign of being different, demand for wet weather tyres is “soaring,” according to automotive retail chain, Hi-Q.
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