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Wheels of Middle East Tyre Market “Set to Keep Turning in 2009”

According to the organiser of Automechanika Middle East, the exhibition’s host country retains a strong tyre industry despite the global slowdown. Dubai’s direct trade in tyres, it says, was valued at more than AED 6.6 billion (US $1.8 billion) in 2008, an increase of 12 per cent from 2007. And organiser EPOC Messe Frankfurt GmbH believes that “even with the economic downturn catching up, wheels of the tyre market in the UAE are set to keep turning in 2009” – and thus it has high hopes for the exhibition, which opens on May 31 and runs until June 2 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

29th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Team Maxxis Bike Victorious over Time Attack Impreza

Modified Live, an event held on the weekend of 25 April, 2009 at Oulton Park witnessed saw the Team Maxxis Yamaha YZF-R1 superbike pitched against a modified Subaru Impreza to answer an eternal question: which is faster, four wheels or two. Following an early downpour and a last minute change to the programme, which saw the original car – a Norris Design SWB Mitsubishi Evo – replaced by a Subaru Impreza, driven by 2009 Time Attack Pro Class Champion, Olly Clark, from Roger Clark Motorsport.

Under official timed trials, provided by Timing Solutions Limited, Clark was the first to take to the track. He drove his 2009 RCM 850bhp Impreza around three laps of the shorter Island circuit, recording 1:27:588 on his second. Unperturbed by the Impreza’s time, Team Maxxis rider Dave Johnson took to the circuit, and by the start of lap two, felt comfortable enough to open the throttle of the 185 bhp Superbike, finishing his second lap in a time of 1:25:566, 2.022 seconds faster than the RCM Impreza.

28th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Marangoni Sponsors Fast Show

Marangoni continued their 2009 brand support programme by taking title sponsorship of The Marangoni Fast Show at Santa Pod Raceway at the end of March.

This unique event is recognised in UK tuning and enthusiast circles as the first real opportunity of the year to show off and view some of the country’s most modified and tuned cars. It is a key event that is greatly supported by clubs and individuals from the length and breadth of Great Britain. The weekend weather was fantastically spring-like which added even more to the already huge crowd, estimated at well over 20,000 people.

28th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

French Borbet Facility Applies for Insolvency

For the past five years SRF S.A. in the eastern French town of Soultzmatt has belonged to wheel manufacturer the Borbet Group. With a capacity of only around 500,000 alloy wheels per year the factory was indisputably the smallest Borbet operated, and the facility has now applied for insolvency.

Company chief Peter Wilhelm Borbet has expressed his regret regarding the 154 employees affected by this action, however he noted the facility’s operation has been subsidised by Borbet ever since it came under the German firm’s ownership. Borbet added that, in view of the crisis affecting the automotive industry – which suppliers such as Borbet also cannot escape – the company was faced with no other alternative. Whether production will continue at the site is now an issue for the liquidator to decide, yet it seems likely that existing orders can be processed.

27th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Boasts 2009 Test-Topping UHP Products

When it comes to high and ultra high performance tyres, few would argue that Italian manufacturer Pirelli holds a position of distinction. The brand boasts original equipment contracts with many of the leading names in top end models from such manufacturers as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, Aston Martin, Maserati, Jaguar, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo, Porsche and BMW, with its latest contract coming on the new Bentley Continental GTC Speed, the car maker’s most powerful convertible ever. Its P Zero collection of tyres – and indeed the marketing campaigns behind the range – emphasise the glamorous, lifestyle-conscious leanings of the market, backing these up with a series of high-ranking results in the 2009 round of magazine summer tests (the P Zero pattern alone picked up wins in Gute Fahrt and Sport Auto, alongside a “very recommendable” rating in Auto Bild Sportscars).

27th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Ian Smith Appointed MD at NDI Tyre & Tube

Ian Smith has been appointed as the new managing director of West Midlands, UK company NDI Tyre & Tube Supplies – a subsidiary of Danish importer Nordisk Daek. Smith boasts a substantial amount of experience in the tyre industry, including a twenty-one year spell at Pirelli in departments dealing with manufacturing and development.

Smith is hoping to capitalise on the company’s position as a “multi-brand, multi-range tyres and wheels” wholesaler, suggesting that the appointment endows him with a “fantastic opportunity to further develop a company and realise its full potential across a number of different market sectors.” He took up the position on 2 March, 2009.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

TyreSafe Calls on Experienced Motorcyclists to Promote Tyre Safety

TyreSafe and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) are calling on experienced bikers to help promote tyre safety among motorcyclists. With increasing numbers of motorcyclists taking to the road this spring, TyreSafe and the IAM are advising experienced bikers and biking enthusiasts to help raise awareness of the importance of riding on safe tyres. During April’s Bike Tyre Safety Month, TyreSafe is reaching out to motorcyclists of all levels, including enthusiasts, with a reminder that correct tyre maintenance helps keep bikers safe on the road, and may ultimately save their life. As the improved weather conditions attract thousands of bikers to rallies and race meetings around the country, TyreSafe advises checking the pressure, tread depth and condition of tyres before setting off on long journeys.

24th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcoa Wheels Selected for Lightweight Lamborghini

When Alcoa spoke of plans to extend its passenger car OEM supply in late 2008, it didn’t just have run of the mill vehicles in mind – on April 23 it announced the selection of Alcoa Auto Wheels to supply lightweight wheels for the Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce (SV). The forged aluminium wheels to be supplied, says Alcoa, reduce un-sprung weight and contribute to the SV shedding 100 kilograms as compared with the standard Murciélago.

23rd April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Jantsa Looking for Customers in Southeast Asia

Since its establishment in 1977, Turkish wheel manufacturer Jantsa has constantly worked towards building up and expanding its export business. Today its wheels are exported to over 80 countries worldwide, Jantsa export area manager Europe Omar Oztan told Tyres & Accessories. In fact, three out of every four wheels produced by Jantsa is destined for export. A region of increasing interest for the Turkish company is Southeast Asia. For this reason the company decided this year to once again exhibit at Tyrexpo Asia.

20th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

US Senate Votes to Ban Lead Weights

In the US, The Olympian is reporting that Washington’s state Senate on Tuesday voted to ban the installation of lead tyre weights by 2011. Dealers will be required to use alternatives like zinc or a steel alloy. The amended bill now goes back to the House, which is expected to approve it. It then goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire to be signed into law.

“The Asian and European car makers have used alternative wheel weights for years now,” said Rep. Tom Campbell, R-Roy, the prime sponsor of House Bill 1033. “We are just catching up to them.” Lead is highly toxic, Campbell says, and it only makes sense to use less hazardous alternatives. It has been linked to brain damage and other nervous system damage, particularly in young children. (Tire Review/Akron)

17th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Offering a SMART Solution to Dents and Scratches

A good set of tyres can perhaps minimise the risk of accumulating dents, scratched bumpers or scuffed alloy wheels, but most motorists are unable to avoid ‘battle damage’ entirely. To take care of these inevitable dings and scratches, Kwik-Fit Fleet is expanding its one-stop shop service portfolio through the launch of a SMART (Small to Medium Area Repair Technology) service. At present this facility is being trialled at six Kwik-Fit locations – and the company believes it is the first time a fast-fit company has moved into offering SMART repairs.

16th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

The Sky’s the Limit

Kings Road Tyres, in conjunction with Michelin, has helped a team of British explorers carry out an unlikely journey from London to Timbuktu – not by plane or train, but by flying car. The Parajet Skycar is a road legal version of an off road buggy that can be set up to either drive wheels when on the road or power a rear mounted propeller when it takes to the skies. In flight a large fabric wing gives the Skycar lift whilst the propeller provides the necessary forward thrust.

The Parajet Skycar set off from London at the end of January and travelled down through France and Spain before flying the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco in North Africa. From Morocco the team travelled through the disputed lands of Western Sahara, into Mauritania and across the Sahara to Timbuktu in Mali.

16th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

STL Notes Growing Interest in Rolling Resistance Reduction

Ohio, US based Standards Testing Laboratories (STL), the world’s largest independent testing facility for tyres, wheels and related automotive components, presented an overview on wheel testing during the 2009 Tire Industry Conference, held in South Carolina between April 1 and 3. The company’s director of technology, Guy Edington, examined various types of wheel testing – from rotary and radial fatigue to impact tests – during the conference, focusing on commonly used Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test methods. He also discussed wheel history and manufacturing methods as well as changing industry standards.

15th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kei Racing Aiming New Tachi Wheel at Modified Market

Kei Racing has released a new wheel design aimed at the “modified market.” The Tachi (pronounced Tar-Chee), is said to be named after a deadly instrument favoured as the weapon of choice for many Samurai warriors in feudal Japan so, say company representatives, “it’s highly appropriate for Kei’s cutting-edge wheel technology and design.”

The new Japanese design features a matt-gunmetal finish and uses a strong and a simple 10 spoke design to offer good looks with wide calliper clearance for brake cooling. Size wise, there’s something for everyone, with 15 x 6.5, 17 x 7 and 18 x 7.5 all available in a huge array of 4 and 5 stud patterns, covering nearly all core Jap, Tuner and Euro cars. The 15-inch variant is set to retail at just £86.69 each. While the 17 and 18-inch wheels come with £122.50 and £150.34 price tags respectively.

14th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Vanstyle Encourages Van Owners to “Tame the Beast”

We’ve been bombarded with a multitude of Trinny & Susannah style homely to comely shows and home renovation programmes along the lines of ‘Changing Rooms’, but to date vans have been largely left out of this makeover mania. One UK company – Vanstyle – intends to change all this. While it won’t be coming to a television near you any time soon, the company is calling upon all van, SUV and truck drivers to join its campaign to give the nation’s vans the once-over with new wheels and accessories.

Ultimately every van or truck driver chooses his or her vehicle for its functionality, and this naturally shouldn’t be overlooked at makeover time. But Vanstyle says this “doesn’t mean the beast can’t be tamed”. In other words, why not make your machine look good?

8th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors