If you thought that UK tyre maintenance awareness levels were poor, spare a thought for the Jamaican tyre business. TransJamaican Highway, recently reported that since the opening of Highway 2000 (a four to six lane toll road that bisects the Island) in 2003, the majority of accidents were attributable to poor vehicular maintenance and the failure of drivers to obey the prescribed speed limit.
Next year will see Continental launch ContiCrossContact Winter, a new 4×4 SUV winter tyre with asymmetrical tread design. Development of this tyre has been focused on safe driving properties on typical winter roads, superb handling in the dry, and a high resistance to aquaplaning. Starting in the autumn of 2006, the ContiCrossContact Winter tyre will gradually replace the company’s well-proven Conti4x4WinterContact.
Following on from the success of the MPH show, the Fulda Exelero feature in a Drift Team demonstration run by Collins Autosport Ltd at the forthcoming Race of Champions at the Stade de France in Paris.
The Race of Champions pitches the best circuit racers against the best off road drivers in the world to determine who is the fastest. Using identical equipment and track, drivers can prove themselves based on their talent alone and a packed Stade de France will see the winner rewarded with the title “The Champion of Champions.”
Pneumatic impact wrenches such as those typically used for commercial wheel bolting could prove to be a health hazard if used for more than a few minutes a day, says a new assessment.
ATS Euromaster is tapping into the new wave of mobile phone commerce by providing an SMS service to keep fleet drivers moving.
Motorists can now text “tyres” to 82025 to locate their nearest ATS Euromaster service centre and will receive details such as the depot’s address, contact details and the exact straight-line distance from the position of the mobile phone. Though free, users will be charged the standard texting rate set out by their service provider.
Michelin motorsport director, Pierre Dupasquier has bowed out from international motorsport following the company’s 100th pole position and another Grand Prix win. Whilst always likely to be a Michelin pole – the French brand has taken 18 of the 19 top spots in qualifying this season – the 100th such achievement was a fitting way for Dupasquier to leave the F1 paddock, having presided over the company’s return to F1.
Bosch, in collaboration with Michelin, has enhanced some of the traditional functions of its Electronic Stability Program, adapting them to work in conjunction with run-flat tyre technologies. The new cluster of enhanced ESP functions is called “Run-Flat Stability Control” (RFS). RFS contributes to maintaining the maximum level of driving safety and mobility even after a loss of tyre pressure.
Michelin has partnered with Cornilleau, the world’s leading manufacturer of table tennis bats, to produce what the companies say is the world’s first range of composite table tennis bats. The move reflects Michelin’s further involvement in the production of leisure products. Interestingly the co-produced bats will feature the French tyre manufacturer’s Bibendum logo.
Cornilleau is reported to have approached Michelin because of its technical expertise in terms of mastering rubber compounds and composite materials. According to a joint-statement released by Michelin and Cornilleau, the two companies worked together for more than 18 months, focussing on the development of a new surface material. The partners claim that the “unique elastomer” surface they have devised offers: “optimum performance in terms of elasticity which gives the player additional speed, power and control.
Hofmann Megaplan has introduced a new addition to its wheel service range with the launch of the ‘Tradesman’ machine for alloy wheel refurbishment and repair.
The megamount ‘Tradesman’ is the result of a joint development project with wheel refurbishment specialist Wheel Clinic. Based on a conventional tyre changer chassis, the unit enables rims up to 24 inch diameter to be clamped and rotated at the necessary speed for grinding and polishing. A full starter kit of grinding and polishing wheels is supplied with the unit and ongoing consumables are available directly from Wheel Clinic.
The high-speed Monza Grand Prix circuit will test tyres to the limit, tyre suppliers Bridgestone and Michelin have reported. “Being the fastest circuit on the F1 calendar, the Monza GP is always a fast and furious race. The cars reach around 350km/h in four different places and in the approach to the first chicane, they are actually reaching close to 360km/h,” said Bridgestone F1 technical manager, Hisao Suganuma, adding:
The Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 and Pilot MXM4 tyres have been selected as OE fitments on the Honda Civic Si, Michelin North America has announced.
Both tyres will be size 215/45R17. The Pilot Exalto PE2 tyre carries a W speed rating, and the Pilot MXM4 has a V speed rating.
The NTDA is to run a nationwide series of health and safety “talk-ins” designed to help members get up to speed on new recommendations and legislation affecting tyre retails premises.Supported by the Health and Safety executive and local authorities, the meetings will feature presentations from local inspectors on what to expect when premises are visited by HSE inspectors, as well as detailed information on the new recommendations on manual handling.
According to Cooper Tires 4×4 tyre sales have increased by a staggering 151 per cent in the last five years. In 2004, there were 1.25 million 4×4 tyres sold throughout the UK, a jump from 825,000 in 2000.
Factors such as 4×4 fashions and the increasing number of “Chelsea tractors” in town and city centers are thought to have influenced this growth. Other trends such as the replacement of standard manufacturer fitted wheels and tyres with larger sizes are also affecting the market.
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) has added the Blizzak Revo1 to its line of winter tyres. Designed for severe ice or snow conditions and allow a solid grip on wet and dry roads, said BFNAT, the Revo1 features “tube multicell” compound that has embedded particles to improve grip, a cross-rib surface for ice traction, and zig-zag siping for traction and water and slush dispersion. The Blizzak Revo1 is available in 11 Q-speed rated sizes, and has a non-directional tread design for 65- and 60-series sizes and a directional tread for 55- and 45-series sizes.
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is preparing for the winter months ahead with size additions to the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 RFT, Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25, Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3 and Winterforce tyre lines.
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