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Extreme Maserati to Roar into Goodwood

This weekend Dunlop is presenting what the tyremaker calls “the most extreme Maserati of all time” at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The 755bhp, 204mph Maserati MC12 Corse was originally designed for the race track, but former German Touring Car (DTM) driver Hubert Haupt ordered his for the road – fitted with the latest Dunlop Sport Maxx GT tyres.

The MC12 Corse is a sister of the MC12 Competizione which won both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles in the 2006 FIA GT Championship. The Corse version accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 3.4 seconds and at 160mph its racing aerodynamic package delivers a massive downforce of 1,400kg.

10th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Porsche Tuner Sets New Conti Tyre Record

Continental’s UHP ContiSportContact Vmax has broken the 400 km/h barrier at tests held at the Papenburg circuit in Germany. Jan Fatthauer, head of the Porsche Tuners 9ff team, drove his GT9 to a speed of 409 km/h, setting a new record for both the tyre and the street legal 987 horsepower car. The test was also attended by Holger Berkmann, ContiSportContact Vmax development engineer from Continental Tuning.

The ContiSportContact Vmax, which is actually “only” approved for speeds of up to 360 km/h, was given clearance for higher speeds for the record attempt in the GT9; according to Holger Berkmann, after all, the tyre was expected to be able to withstand a higher load under controlled test conditions.

3rd July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Optitrac R+ OE for JCB Fastrac Models

Goodyear’s high speed Optitrac R+ farm radial tyre has been approved for fitment to the new 7000 series JCB Fastrac tractor. The specific tyres to be approved, says Goodyear, are the 540/75R28 Optitrac R+ front tyre and 650/75R38 Optitrac R+ rear tyre for the Fastrac 7170 and 7200, and the 600/70R30 Optitrac R+ front tyre and 650/85R38 Optitrac R+ rear tyre for the Fastrac 7230.

“We are very pleased that the high speed road and in-field performance of the new Optitrac R+ tyre has been recognized by JCB and approved for fitment to the new 7000 series Fastrac tractor,” said Eric Martin, OE manager farm and industrial tyres Europe.

25th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Unveils New V8 Series Tyre

Dunlop is set to improve the sustainability of tyres supplied for the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series by introducing a synthetic material into the polymer binding agent of the tyre compound, replacing the oil-based additive.

Dunlop’s V8 Supercar operations manager Kevin Fitzsimons explained to journalists that the change represents the only significant alteration to the tyre’s makeup since the company introduced its control tyre in 2002, and that the switch would not affect adversely the tyre’s level of performance.

17th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Extends TBWA Advertising Relationship to US

Michelin has announced the selection of the advertising agency TBWA\Chiat\Day New York to represent its Michelin brand passenger car and light truck replacement tyre business in the United States, effective immediately. TBWA currently represents Michelin’s passenger car and light truck replacement tire business in Europe and Asia, and the company has chosen to extend its partnership with the US agency network of TBWA to allow ‘greater global synergies for the brand’ including productivity, speed of operations and operational efficiency.

“TBWA will draw upon their experience with the Michelin brand in other countries,” said Claire Dorland Clauzel, senior vice president Michelin Communication & Brands, member of the Group Executive Council. “Our vision is to continually enhance the effectiveness of our communications and the addition of TBWA will help us achieve that goal,” added Scott Clark, COO, Michelin Americas Small Tires. “With this decision, we have a unique opportunity to expand the integration of our communications teams and energise a new, powerful agency team capable of reaching consumers in ground-breaking, creative ways to drive brand preference and purchase intent for the Michelin brand.”

13th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Cambridge Solar Car Runs on Michelin Motorbike Tyres

A group of Cambridge University students has been praying for plenty of sunshine – but not because they are on holiday. The team of four students are responsible for the first ever solar-powered journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Backed by a team of around 40 other students from the Cambridge University Eco Racing team (CUER), the drivers aim to inspire the public about environmental issues and sustainable technologies.

The solar car, Affinity, which has been given a special order to drive as a prototype vehicle, is thought to have a top speed of around 50-60mph and scheduled displays schools and other venues along the 934-mile route. And for those of us in the tyre trade, it is interesting to note that team are achieving their impressively low rolling resistance results on a set of Michelin M45 motorcycle tyres!

13th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

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

Bridgestone Outlines Plan to ‘Make Cars Green’

June 5 was World Environment Day, and Bridgestone chose the occasion to announce its action plan for “Make Cars Green”, an initiative that seeks to raise awareness of the need for greener motoring around the world. During a parliamentary conference in Wellington, New Zealand, host city for World Environment Day this year, Mr. Shoshi Arakawa, chairman of the Board, CEO and president of Bridgestone Corporation, and Mr. David Ward, director general of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Foundation, made the announcement that the Bridgestone Group will promote the initiative on a worldwide scale as a global partner of the FIA.

9th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

F1 Tyre Warmer Ban Delay Rejected

Bridgestone, the official supplier of tyres to Formula One, is refusing to buckle under pressure from teams and drivers over the introduction of a tyre warmer ban next season.

It is currently permitted for Formula One teams to keep tyres warm with the use of specially-manufactured blankets, and drivers have expressed a great deal of concern at the implications of a ban on the use of the product. Citing not only concerns over the speed differential between cold and hot slicks, Williams driver Nico Rosberg was quoted by autosport.com as stating, “It’s not racing, it’s survival”, calling into question the safety of the proposed ban.

6th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Viking Customers Like User-Friendly Web Site

Viking International customers are reported to be pleased with the new upgraded online ordering system launched last year. Huw Lewis Tyres, a Viking International customer for a number of years, commented: “The new site is an excellent selling aid. Customers’ transactions can be completed without having to leave the office. I can immediately see stock availability and offer customers an instant quotation plus guarantee next day delivery.”

16th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Additional Hero Atlanta AR01 Sizes

Hero has extended the size range it offers for its Atlanta AR01 tyre line. The company announced five new sizes including 14 and 17-inch fitments and T to W speed ratings. The new sizes are: 175/70R14, 195/65R15, 205/65R16, 215/60R16 and 215/55ZR17. The line up will be introduced to a greater breadth of fitments at later stage. The Hero Atlanta line already covers a range of sizes for wheel diameters of 13 to 17 inches and aspect ratios from 70 series down to 55 series – 28 sizes in total.

12th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

HiQ Offers Touring Car Tyre Fitting Opportunity

HiQ recently gave a tyre fitter from Derby the chance to showcase his skills to drivers of the British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park. Dave Parker, a mobile tyre technician with HiQ, worked trackside changing tyres for Matt Neal, Darren Turner, and all the stars of Britain’s premier motor racing series.

The 30-year-old will join the Dunlop Motorsport team after HiQ bosses singled him out on account of his quick-change skills. The fast fitter, based at HiQ’s Abbey Street store, vowed to teach Dunlop Motorsport a thing or two about tyre changes as well.

6th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Semperit Releases New Speed-Life Range

The release of the directional tread Speed-Life in March has given the Semperit product portfolio a high performance summer tyre for the medium price range category. The manufacturer states that the main considerations adhered to in the design of the new tyre were safety and low rolling resistance, and Semperit is pleased with the results of its development work: Braking distance, compared with that of its predecessor, has been reduced by up to nine per cent, and it reports that handling, rolling resistance and comfort have also benefited.

Designed for powerful vehicles, the Speed-Life features a symmetrical, directionally-orientated tread pattern with four circumferential tread grooves. Explaining the design, Stephan Herbst, developer of the new Speed-Life, commented: “The solid, powerful central rib ensures safe driving stability and best steering response to slight course corrections and when travelling at higher speeds.” The balanced longitudinal and lateral stiffness of the inner tread ribs to the right and left of it, plus the rows of lugs in the shoulder intersected by lateral grooves, are intended to provide a good steering response to medium steering angles and precise handling on winding roads. “The interlinked tread lugs in the outer shoulder are a further benefit in terms of handling,” Herbst added. “They ensure reliable handling even when driving at the limit.”

1st May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

High Speed from Matador

The Hectorra MP 45 and MP 46 Hectorra 2 continue to keep Matador well represented in the high performance tyre segment.

Available in W and Y speed ratings, aspect ratios from 55 series down to 30 series and for wheels from 16 to 18-inch, the MP 45’s asymmetric tread pattern gives the tyre a sporty look, as well as contributing to good handling in the wet and on dry roads. ‘W’ speed rated tyres are also available with an extra load capacity.

The MP 46 Hectorra 2 is the second generation summer high speed asymmetric tread tyres produced by the Slovakian manufacturer, and the final sizes to complete the Hectorra 2 range are expected to come to market during summer 2008. Like the MP 45, the Hectorra 2 features an asymmetric tread and Matador reports it delivers excellent braking properties and reliable manoeuvrability on wet as well as dry surfaces, along with high resistance to aquaplaning. The MP 46 Hectorra 2 is available in V and Y speed rated sizes for rim diameters between 16 and 20-inch.

30th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Summer Performance from Cooper

Summer is again upon us and there is arguably no better time of the year to appreciate vehicle handling and performance. At the top of Cooper Tire’s ultra high performance range is a summer tyre designed to do just that – provide strong cornering ability and steering response along with optimum wet and dry traction and high-speed capability.

The Cooper Zeon 2XS only comes in W and Y speed ratings, confirmation of the tyre’s serious performance intentions, and features a directional tread with a central rib for crisper steering response and angled channels for water evacuation from the tread contact area. Cooper reports the tyre offers unparalleled levels of predictability when approaching the limits of the tyre’s grip, providing drivers with ample warning that it is time to slow down and creating greater confidence in the capability of their tyres.

29th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors