Birmingham-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres halted new and retread tyre production during the week commencing 15 November after identifying a “potentially sub-standard rubber” supply. According to the Birmingham Mail, managers at the Castle Bromwich plant suspended manufacturing for three days following a “potential issue” with the raw material.
More than three weeks have passed since a lock-out began at Dunlop India’s Sahaganj factory, and the tyres appear to be spinning on negotiations for resuming production. The Press Trust of India reports that union representatives have voiced opposition to bipartite talks with Dunlop India, while the company is awaiting West Bengal state government approval of three-party talks and the government is waiting for Dunlop India to re-open the plant before attempting further negotiations.
Dunlop India Ltd has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange of its decision to suspend operations at the company’s Sahaganj factory. In a lengthy letter outlining the various problems the company has faced at this factory since acquiring the tyre manufacturing business in 2005, Sahaganj plant manager M A Khan said it is no longer “possible to keep the factory open, continue to make payment of unproductive wages to idle workers and take risk for the safety and security of [the] plant and its employees.”
Perodua and wheel and design house Wolfrace have teamed up to create the new Myvi Wolfrace Design Concept. The car combines classic Myvi specification with the striking styling of Wolfrace to produce a car that aims to be both affordable and fashionable.
Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East Paul Goggins has reiterated his full support for Motor Wheel Service’s commercial vehicle wheel safety campaign and promised to maintain pressure on the Department for Transport. MWS, which is headquartered in the MP’s constituency, raised concerns about the lack of examination expertise applied to second hand and take-off wheels that are entering the UK CV aftermarket. Its belief that the problem could be increasing due to financial pressures and a lack of regulation for this market was discussed in a Private Members’ Debate in March 2011, for which Goggins was awarded Parliamentarian of the Month, by road safety charity Brake and Direct Line.
CES (UK) representatives say the parts distributor has seen “a significant increase” in its braking business over the past 5 years, now accounting for over a fifth of its parts related sales. It offers a three tier range, comprising: original equipment, original equipment matching quality and a value range. The company says that brakes’ centrality to motoring safety means that motorists generally seek the reassurance of original equipment matching quality parts, which it says is reflected in its sales. Another factor that has become important to the distributor in driving sales is its emphasis on training, and information evenings.
The tight and twisty Hungaroring on the outskirts of Budapest will offer an increased hot weather challenge to Pirelli’s soft and super soft tyres in the Hungarian Grand Prix. The circuit’s infrequent use makes the surface dusty and slippery that Pirelli expect will offer more grip as the weekend progresses and rubber is laid down. The slippery surface is the reason for the supplier’s choice of its PZero Yellow and PZero Red tyres, with 16 tight corners and a low average speed making the circuit better suited to the softer tyres. The high temperatures are likely to represent a conservation challenge, especially since this is the first time the supersoft Red compound will be used in very warm weather.
Website AlignMyCar.co.uk has explained the value of four wheel alignment to families driving to their summer holiday destination, in terms of safety and costs. Drivers of misaligned vehicles see tyre wear increase in rapidity, fuel bills rise and potential dangerous distractions such as vehicle pull or a crooked steering wheel. “Many families will be preparing for an intensive period of motoring during the summer months, and having a four wheel alignment check can help to ensure it is as carefree and economical as possible,” explains Paul Beaurain, whose distribution company Pro-Align is behind the wheel alignment website.
The all-new Chrysler flagship, the 2011 Chrysler 300, is now on sale in the US, and UK sales are tipped to start in spring 2012. The 300 is shipped in four model specifications – Touring, Limited, 300C and 300C AWD – and Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations reports its Firestone-brand FR710 tyre has been selected as standard original equipment on the more upmarket Limited and 300C versions. Another Firestone tyre, the Firehawk GT, will be optional original equipment for the same models.
The Maxxis British Drift Championship recently got underway again following a six month break, and the title sponsor says the series continues to grow in popularity and is now bigger than ever. In order to give smaller teams and individual drivers the chance to maximise their resources the championship format has been tweaked and the 84 drivers competing this year have been split into three categories – Semi-Pro, Pro and Super-Pro – based on their driving skills and drift experience. Following the opening round of the 2011 series at Donington, Maxxis says it was delighted to see Mark Luney and SAT/Cosworth – one of its sponsored teams using the Maxxis MA-Z1 Drift tyre – take victory in the new Super-Pro class.
Scottish driver David Bogie has extended his lead at the top of the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship drivers’ standings with his second win out of three rounds on the Pirelli International Rally in Carlisle on the weekend of April 29 and 30. Now leading the pack by seven points, the 23-year-old from Dumfries has performed consistently well throughout this season, taking first on Rallye Sunseeker in February and second on the Bulldog International Rally North Wales last month.
The speed rating of agricultural implement wheels and tyres has traditionally often been limited to 40 km/h, a limit reflecting the restrictions historically imposed on general agricultural tractors not equipped with suspension. This absence of a suspension system was a deliberate design feature that optimised field performance, and the known limitations – the affect upon stability, ride and road holding at increased speeds – were in past times not considered economically important.
Falken has released a statement from its finance and admin director T. Ikeuchi, reporting that its Shirakawa factory has “stopped daily manufacturing operations due to the immediate black out, and because the factory building and equipments installed have been found partly damaged. Ikeuchi also stated that the company is “investigating the extent of the damages”, intending to recommence production as soon as possible. In addition, Ikeuchi said that all “Sumitomo Rubber Industries group employees and their families have been confirmed uninjured”.
A report from road maintenance campaign website Potholes.co.uk suggests that the UK’s ongoing pothole epidemic, caused jointly by harsh seasonal weather and government spending cuts, could result in a £2.68 million per day cost to the country’s motorists. The website describes the condition of Britain’s roads as approaching “Third World” standard as a consequence of allowing them to fall into disrepair.
Xavier Foj is one of the most experienced Dakar racers with this year marking is twentieth time, as he and co-driver Pablo Jaton steered their Cooper Tires-shod Toyota Land Cruiser safely through what Foj called “almost unbearable” conditions. The Toyota Cooper Tires team’s lead vehicle claimed 19th position overall in this year’s gruelling Dakar race.
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