Kumho Tire USA officially unveiled its new Ecsta XS KU36, an ultra-high performance radial designed for both track and street performance. The tyre was introduced to select media yesterday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
Thule has added a line of snow chains to its UK vehicle accessories range. Produced in Thule’s Italian manufacturing facility, the extensive range of snow chains will be available from selected recognised dealers from October. The UK launch coincides with a reported rise in demand across Europe and the UK for high quality snow chains.
Peter Barker, UK general manager, commented: “For Thule, the manufacture and distribution of snow chains is a welcome addition to our sports and leisure equipment transportation range. Snow chains are a vital part of ski-drive holidays and are required by law in many destinations. We have seen a demand for a high quality chain by our customers, and are confident the Thule snow chains will not disappoint with their quick and easy application and durable, superior materials.”
The K-Summit snow chain is a key model in the range. With a patented rachet system the chain is designed to fit over 250 wheel sizes, with just eight chain lengths, mounting to the wheel in three steps. Once fitted, the ratchet system centres itself as you drive. The K-Summit has zero clearance, which means no part of it touches the inner side of the tyre, so it can be used on cars with limited space around the wheel arch.
Carlisle Companies has opened Carlisle Tire and Wheel Europe BV a distribution centre and sales office strategically located in Zevenaar, Netherlands. According to the company the move is designed to provide better, faster service to Europe. Writing in an official statement detailing the opening , Garry Dietz Sr. (director of European Business Development at Carlisle) said: “The establishment of Carlisle Tire and Wheel Europe BV adds yet another stronghold…This addition to Carlisle’s portfolio of global companies will stimulate even greater operational synergies in the delivery of product and service to our customers, everywhere.”
Vredestein has become the first tyre-maker to offer a 25-series winter tyre for people who want to drive their high-performance car in the winter time.
Alcoa’s Wheel and Transportation Products business has introduced the "CalcuLighter". Found at http://www.alcoa.com/calculighter, the CalcuLighter is an on-line tool for truck fleet and owner-operators that is designed to provide exact financial data comparing steel and aluminium wheel alternatives. Designed primarily for US based users, site visitors can quickly compare steel duals versus aluminium duals or wide base wheels, or aluminium duals compared to wide base, simply by entering a few specifics regarding their own operational needs.
Starting with the European Grand Prix, Bridgestone has introduced new recyclable tin weights into its Formula One and GP2 Series wheel and tyre balancing process. The use of tin as balance weights, comments Bridgestone, is believed to have a lower environmental impact than the previously utilised lead weights. Over the course of a season the company uses almost a tonne of wheel balance weights.
Tyres are often the most overlooked part of a vehicle, and in many cases more action is required when it comes to preparing trucks for poor weather conditions. To aid with this, the Industrial Tyre Association (ITA) has shared expert cost saving and safety tips to prepare the industrial sector for winter. ITA vice chair Clive Green has provided these tips as part of the association’s tyre selection standards to help minimise accidents and reduce unnecessary breakdowns:
Wolfrace has introduced a Black/Polished finish for its popular Asia-Tec Triad alloy wheel. The split, five-spoke design of the Triad has made it one of the most successful wheels in the Asia-Tec range over the past three years. The latest addition gives the Triad a high-quality, gloss black finish with highly-polished spoke and rim surfaces […]
Norwegian rally ace Andreas Mikkelsen has completed a successful test in the Hankook Opel Corsa ahead of the Barum Czech Rally Zlin, to be held later this month. The 20 year old headed to the UK for his first taste of the Hankook-liveried car that is contesting selected rallies this year ahead of a full assault on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in 2010.
A metal commodities trader from Wakefield has been crowned the 2009 Avon Tyres British GT4 champion after clinching the title at Silverstone on August 16. Jody Firth, who races a 500bhp Ginetta G50 for Team WFR in the UK’s premier sportscar championship, now has an unassailable lead in the GT4 class, leading team-mate Nigel Moore by nine points with one round remaining. With the pair certain to share the car in the final round, Moore can only receive the same points as Firth and the gap between the two will thus remain the same.
Six pupils from schools across the country have beaten off stiff competition to win prizes in a national art competition to design the car of the future.
Brake Engineering is a UK pioneer in the field of brake caliper remanufacture, and in its 28 years of business the company has grown to become a major UK and international distributor of brake discs, wheel cylinders, brake pads and shoes, fitting kits, brake caliper repair kits, and remanufactured drive shafts. To assist its distributors in these difficult times, Brake Engineering has come up with a range of ready made promotions that it calls ‘Promo Basics’. The company reports that the Promo Basics promotions – which include rewards such as free newspapers, snacks and drinks – won’t break the bank
In order to witness the benefits of wheel alignment in action, Goodyear recently invited Tyres & Accessories to see a demonstration of tractor wheel alignment technology at Harper Adams University College in Shropshire. Over the years Goodyear Dunlop has developed a long-term partnership with Harper Adams and is therefore able to use this leading agricultural educational establishment’s specialist facilities (which include an off-road test track and specialised covered and open test ploughing fields) from time to time with which the company.
During the demonstration Jason Hoare, part of the technical support/sales team within Goodyear UK’s agricultural tyre department, stressed that being just 14 millimetres out of alignment (a measurement that is dwarfed by the size of your average tractor – and that has been known to be found on brand new vehicles) can reduce tyre life by 33 per cent and absorb nearly six horse power when travelling at 50 km/h.
Alcoa has launched a new 17.5 x 6.75 trailer wheel with 10 bolt holes on a 225 mm PCD. The wheel is comes in sizes 245/70 R 17.5 and 235/75 R 17.5 and will be available in Europe from mid-August. It is suitable for: low deck trailers for transport of heavy and oversized vehicles and loads; trailers and semi-trailers for volume transport; special trailers for transport of passenger cars.
Italian Wheel Designers Finichi has announced the availability of one of its best-selling designs, the Firenze, in a 20-inch fitment. Upon releasing news of the latest fitment, Finichi commented that the Firenze has already established itself as one this season’s ‘must-haves’, thanks to its ‘aggressive split spoke design and deep stainless steel lip’. The manufacturer adds that the wheel’s pseudo split-rim bolts add the final finishing flourish.
Applications include most core Japanese fitments, including 300ZX, 350Z, Evo, Supra and Skyline on the 5 x 114.3 PCD, plus most BMW fitments on 5 x 120. Width wise, both 10.5 and 9-inch can be ordered for the all-important ‘staggered’ look. Prices start at £238.40 + VAT for the 9-inch width.
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