Silverstone [United Rubber (PVT) Ltd.]
Michelin will actively support the GreenFleet drive-day event at Silverstone 11 April. The company says the event will demonstrate the value of its new Primacy HP tyres which are said to deliver “at least 25 per cent more miles than equivalent competitors’ products and the huge fuel saving benefits of its Energy low rolling resistance tyre range.”
The Dunlop Race Academy is pulling up to the starting grid once again as the 2006 contest opens to applicants. Over 8000 people applied to enter last year and Dunlop is expecting even more this time round as budding racing stars compete to race in a televised championship race at Donington, before jetting off to Monaco to sample the life of a racing driver.
Seven regional finalists will be chosen to undergo training at Donington from experts such as Le Mans 24 Hour racing driver, Calum Lockie, as they endeavour to learn the skills needed to be a star on the track.
Pro-Align has moved into new premises at ‘The Old Orchard’, Towcester. Set in the heart of Northamptonshire countryside (a mile or two from the Silverstone Circuit), the barn conversion-style building provides offices, training facilities, service workshops and warehousing.
Paul Beaurain, Pro-Align’s MD told Tyres & Accessories: “We are delighted with the new site, it is beyond all our expectations and provides a very pleasant working environment for the team. With the site being located centrally between the M1 & M40, access for customers and the Pro-Align team alike is very good.”
In the last 12 months Goodyear Dunlop UK has embarked on a multi-million pound TV advertising campaign, rejuvenated its Dunlop brand and made a number of key personnel changes. However, the most recent news is that Goodyear Dunlop is planning a “significant investment programme” for its Hi-Q retail network.
Silverstone Competition Tyres (distributed by Regional Export Tyre Services PTY Ltd in South Africa) have got off to a strong start in the African race and rally scene. The manufacturer reports that it is in the “evaluation stage” with Formula Ford and VW Silvercup challenges. And has concluded negotiations with the SA Northern Region Rally Commission to introduce “The Silverstone Rally Challenge 2006” which will run concurrently with the Regional Championship.
The final three contestants of the Dunlop Race Academy 2 will go head to head at Silverstone on 24th August for the chance to compete in the Dunlop Driver’s Cup; the final round in the highly competitive Ginetta Championship where they will share the track with experienced racers.
Alec Berry from County Durham, Simon Shaw from Warrington and Luke Debono-Wilson from Essex, who will represent the North East, North West and South East were chosen from over 8,000 entrants. Seven regional winners competed at Donington race track to make this final three and were scored by the Dunlop Race Academy judges as they completed a full day of driver coaching and evaluation, fitness and media tests on the Donington Grand Prix circuit.
FIA president, Max Mosley, is considering introducing turbo boosters into Formula 1, The Guardian has reported. According to the newspaper, Mr Mosely is in discussion with “several of the car makers.” The idea is to introduce energy retention systems, like those used in hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius.
McLaren driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, has won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Montoya reportedly told his McLaren team he was going to win the Grand Prix and beat Fernando Alonso before the race started. According to race commentators he did both in style.
Dunlop Motorsport has confirmed that is has signed a deal with EERC (European Endurance Racing Club). The agreement will see the manufacturer act as sole tyre supplier to the Britcar and Production S1 series including the Willhire 5 HR and Silverstone 24 hour events until 2008. In addition the Birmingham based Motorsport operation is committing to support the championship with team incentives and marketing activities. Dunlop is the sole tyre supplier and has been involved with the championship since its inception.
Silverstone Bhd has expanded its range of premier tyres to remain competitive in the market, according to managing director Phang Wai Yeen.
“We have been paying lot of attention to research and development since our inception in 1990 and that is why we have been making headway in the luxury and motor sport segments,” Mr Phang said during a visit by Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin to the company’s plant in Kamunting, near Taiping.
Beissbarth’s wheel aligner technology continues to be the top choice for motor sport, says Beissbarth UK, announcing that the ML8R Easy Wheel Aligner has been selected by the RML team for one of their busiest seasons.
The Chevrolet Lacetti WTC will tackle rounds three and four of the 2005 World Touring Car Championship in Magny-Cours, France. In Magny-Cours, the team will be closely watched by Nick Reilly, CEO of GM Daewoo Auto & Technology in South Korea. “We’ll do our best to put up a good show for the boss,” said Mark Busfield, project manager, Chevrolet WTCC, “we are now looking at qualifying in the top 15.”
British driver Richard Westbrook clinched victory for the Lechner Racing School Team at the season’s opening round of the Porsche Michelin Supercup in Bahrain.
According to race commentary Westbrook started the 12-lap race from pole position and though he lost the sprint to the first corner against Christian Menzel of Germany he regained the lead in the seventh lap.
Westbrook is only the second British driver since Kelvin Burt in 1994 at Silverstone to win a Porsche Michelin Supercup race.
The Dunlop Race Academy is back and will again offer driving enthusiasts the chance to race at Silverstone in a televised championship race.
Pulp and paper producer Lion Forest Industries Bhd (LionFIB) has proposed to acquire Silverstone Bhd, which manufactures tyres, The Star, Malaysia, has reported. Both Lion Forest and Silverstone Bhd are members of the Lion group.
In a statement given to Bursa Malaysia yesterday, Lion Forest said that wholly-owned subsidiary, Quay Class Ltd, had entered into an agreement with Silverstone Corp Bhd to acquire the entire equity in Silverstone Bhd for a total of 225 million ringgits (£31.31 million), to be paid for through a combination of cash and new Lion Forest shares. Silverstone Bhd is currently wholly owned by its holding company, Silverstone Corp, which is listed on Bursa Malaysia.
Lion Rubber Industries, a subsidiary of Silverstone Corporation, is proposing to sell its entire 55 per cent stake in Dong Feng Lion Tyre Co Ltd (DFLT) to Dong Feng Tyre Group (DF Tyre) in a deal valued at roughly £31.32 million. The Edge news service has also reported that the company terminated an earlier proposal to sell 10 per cent of DFLT to Beijing Jing Cheng Zhanye Bio-Technology Co Ltd.
The deal will reportedly help DF Tyre settle an inter-company loan and finance its plans to push internationally. Lion Group only recently orchestrated a joint venture agreement with China’s Shandong LuHe Group Co Ltd to make Silverstone-brand tyres in China for the Chinese market.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
