speed Archives - Page 18 of 34 - Tyrepress

Posts

Double Event for Kumho MSA British Rallycross at Pembrey

The Kumho Tyres MSA British Rallycross Championship moves to Pembrey in South Wales on May 3 and 4 for a crucial double-header that forms the second and third rounds of the championship. Title holder Ollie O’Donovan won the first round of the championship and holds a three-point lead at the head of the championship tables entering rounds two and three. Last year proved to be a bogey track for O’Donovan, technical problems costing him places in both of the championship’s visits to the fast Welsh track.

“I think I had quite an easy run in the first round but I’m not expecting it to be like that at Pembrey as there’s a long run from the start to the first corner and that doesn’t really suit my car as much as some others,” said O’Donovan, who added that his plan is to race hard right from the start. “I think everyone will be conscious that there’s a need to get the cars through two full days, but I’d rather go for it right from the start and take my win on Saturday than hang back and take a place and then perhaps miss out on Sunday too. The two drivers I’d be most concerned about are Steve Hill and Liam Doran, but I’ll take each day as it comes.”

25th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Previews Upcoming New Braking System

Continental plans to launch a new-generation electronic brake system in 2011. Named the MK100, this new system will centre around a modular product family possessing a range of functions that can be scaled to suit whatever functionality and level of performance is required, from a motorcycle ABS system with or without an integral braking function right up to high-end ESC electronic stability control designs with powerful, low-pulsation pump variants. Conti believes this design concept will produce added functional value even for price-driven, entry-level versions of the system.

The MK100 ESC system even in its basic form is said to provide precise, comfortable and gentle control interventions, and the system can be readily extended in terms of functionality and performance. The range of safety and assistance functions that, depending on what a vehicle manufacturer specifies, can be incorporated into the MK100 ESC extends from Active Rollover Protection (ARP) via Trailer Stability Assist (TSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Full Speed Range ACC (FSA) through to complex, autonomous overlay functions for stabilising the vehicle. The MK100 also makes servicing much simpler, says Conti – the braking system is permanently monitored by the electronics, which will automatically detect and configure any components that have been exchanged. There is thus no further need for time-consuming calibration procedures, thereby adding to the system’s robustness and reducing time spent in the workshop.

22nd April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan Tests New 63-Inch Tyre

Titan International subsidiary Titan Tire Corporation reports it has begun testing its new 63-inch tyre on the company’s newly constructed 24-foot bull wheel. The first 63-inch tyre, built in February 2008, is approximately just over four metres in total diameter and weighs approximately 5.45 tonnes. Titan will test the 63-inch tyre on the bull wheel, loaded with up to 226 tonnes at a speed of up to 45 miles per hour, and this testing will confirm the tyre’s casing and its heat characteristics. Ten days of testing is equivalent to a year of field use, and will allow Titan to know how it will perform before volume production begins.

“There were many who doubted Titan’s ability to produce and test this tyre,” said Titan Chairman and CEO Maurice M. Taylor Jr. “Never underestimate a small entrepreneurial company. This tyre has surpassed all of Titan’s expectations.”

21st April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Nankang Launches NS-20

Nankang Rubber Tire Corp. Ltd. has launched the Noble Sport NS-20 ultra-high performance tyre. According to the company, it is designed to deliver “the perfect balance of comfort and technical performance,” and is intended for fitment on luxury performance saloons. The Noble Sport NS-20 is available in a range of 16 to 20 inch diameter sizes, covering H, V, W, Y and Z speed ratings (for speeds in excess of 210 km/h to 300 km/h).

16th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyres Help Marathon Runners ‘Tread’ Across the Finish Line

The 27th running of the London Marathon on April 13 saw approximately 46,500 participants cover the 26 miles 385 yards between Blackheath and St. James’s Park – including six wearing footwear offering good rolling resistance and a speed rating way in excess of anything actually attained on the day. The six men, Maasai warriors, chose to compete in shoes made from recycled car tyres and held together with iron nails.

14th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

World’s Fastest Production Car Takes Record on Michelin Tyres

Shelby SuperCars’ Ultimate Aero, fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tyres, has set a new record of 256.18mph. This, according to Michelin, meant the “Ultimate Aero” is set to be officially recognised as the world’s fastest production car. The SSC Ultimate Aero was clocked at 15mph quicker than the previous titleholder, the Koenigsegg CCR and quicker than the Bugatti Veyron’s unofficial speed claim of 252.55mph. This is the first time that an American manufacturer has held this world title since the iconic Ford GT40 way back in 1967.

Michelin has been the tyre technical partner of Shelby SuperCars since the project was founded by Jerod Shelby seven years ago and has contributed technical advice on suspension design and set up for the Ultimate Aero. The Pilot Sport PS2 tyres fitted for the trial had to withstand speeds up to 257mph on the closed undulating country roads used for the test in Washington State – apparently with little to no wear.

11th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Enters Second Year of XRRA Rock Racing

2008 will see Maxxis maintain its title sponsorship of the Xtreme Rock Racing (XRRA) Series for a second year. The Maxxis XRRA Series is covered extensively on cable’s Speed network and started this March with the first race in the western division, followed by the eastern division opener in April. US finals are scheduled for September, while the series also has international perspective – the German Championship runs between April and October.

“I believe that we are starting to see the industry recognising the series as the Maxxis XRRA. With the factory support we receive, not to mention the individual event support of Creighton King, we believe this is a great opportunity to capitalise on our momentum coming out of 2007. With this momentum and branding, 2008 is certain to outpace any previous race season,” said Jodi Weaver, president of XRRA. Brad Williams of Maxxis’s automotive department added: “Maxxis is very excited to sponsor XRRA for a second great year. The XRRA team is outstanding and we’re delighted to be working with them.”

20th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

PCL to Unveil Accura Mobile Nitrogen Inflation Unit at Essen

PCL will be headlining its appearance at this year’s Essen show with the launch of its Accura Mobile portable Nitrogen (N2) tyre inflation cart. Featuring the same high level accuracy as the rest of PCL’s Accura range, the mobile features N2 “convert and purge” and “top-up” facilities and can be used with either an N2 bottle or generator. It includes six hose outlets for high speed on site or off site multi tyre inflation.

PCL told Tyres & Accessories that the launch comes at an exciting time for PCL, as the company expands its European distributor base, strengthening the growing network already in place. The nationwide move towards quality and accuracy in the field of tyre inflation offers distributors a higher income stream while offering the market products developed for these new requirements. PCL are appearing on booth 1.0-114.

20th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone and FIA Announce Joint Environmental Campaign

A collaborative effort between Bridgestone Corporation and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to reduce the environmental impact of motoring is now underway. The campaign is called “Make Cars Green”, and Bridgestone, as a global partner of the FIA, will support and promote this campaign on a worldwide basis, working with national automobile clubs to promote more environmentally friendly and fuel efficient driving behaviour.

The Make Cars Green campaign will communicate “10 points for greener motoring*” throughout the world to encourage drivers to “think green” when they drive. Bridgestone will announce specific details of its programmes in June, 2008, however the fundamental 10 points are as follows:

20th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone China Opens Test Facility

On March 14 a ceremony was held to officially mark the opening of Bridgestone China’s new tyre testing facility in Yixing City, Jiangsu Province. More than 100 people attended this significant occasion for the tyre major’s Chinese operations, including Hideki Yokoyama, vice president and officer for Product Planning and Business Development, numerous municipal and city officials and media representatives.

At the opening ceremony Mr. Yokoyama commented that the new Bridgestone (China) Tire Assessment & Development Co., Ltd. test facility would further strengthen the development of Bridgestone’s tyre production and sales in China, and thus contribute to the development of China’s automotive industry.

20th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Champion Names New VP

Champion Laboratories has added Mary Blair to its team as vice president of global procurement. Brought in to execute Champ Labs’ corporate initiatives and goals, Blair, in her new position, will be responsible for leading all procurement activities into one centrally-led body while reducing spending, generating greater speed and improving processes and relationships with key supplier partners in the Company’s worldwide supply chain. Blair will lead worldwide procurement with a more strategic focus.

14th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Chicago Pneumatic Products Tackle Heath and Safety Issues

Hand and arm vibration and repetitive stress injuries are a major issue within the industry; this can be observed through personal injury claims, and in recent years, the importance placed on the health and safety of workers has drastically increased. This is the reason why professionals and tool manufacturers alike must tackle the matter together.

Chicago Pneumatic reports that CP products are introduced to the market with four guiding principals in mind: Ergonomics, Efficiency and Quality whilst also being much kinder to the Environment – E3Q as the company puts it in short. In 2007, CP product launches showed this commitment to E3Q:

13th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

BBC Criticised for Cost of Hammond Puncture Investigation

Some 18 months after Richard Hammond’s nearly lethal high speed puncture, a prominent taxpayers’ association has hit out at the BBC for spending more than £43,000 of TV licence payers’ money investigating the crash, only to discover that a nail in the tyre was probably the culprit. The Daily Mail obtained details of the costs incurred through the Freedom of Information Act on March 9, and its disclosure has prompted a spokesman for the TaxPayers’ Alliance to comment: “it’s bizarre that the BBC should spend so much investigating the health-and-safety reasons behind a Top Gear crash. For the amount they paid, they found out very little.”

10th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Launches New Soft Compound Tyre

The latest product from Toyo Tires is the new Proxes R888 SG Soft compound racing tyre, which has been specifically designed for use at Sprint/Hill climb or Short Tarmac speed events. Built on the immensely successful R888 casing design, this new tyre features a super soft compound mix for extra grip, short heat build up and super responsive steering.

7th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan Sales Hit Record, Loss Still Posted

Titan International’s 2007 sales were up 23 per cent compared to the year prior, but the company yielded a net loss of US$7.2 million for the year. Sales for 2007 reached a record $837 million, up 23 per cent compared to 2006’s sales of $679.5 million. Those results were buoyed by record fourth quarter sales of $204.9 million, said Titan. The profit drop compared to a net positive profit of $5.1 million in 2006.

Titan said the sales boost was primarily due to expanded agricultural and OTR tyre offerings, including the addition of General branded OTR tyres to its portfolio. Titan’s year-end cash balance was $58.3 million, up some $25 million from $33.4 million at year-end 2006, and Titan’s long-term debt balance sat at $200 million at the end of 2007, down $91.3 million from the year prior.

3rd March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors