Tyre News

UK Motorists Unlikely to Check for Tyre Age Problems
Maxxis Motocross Teams Make their Mark
Britains Bumpiest Road Named and Shamed
Successful Lone Wolf Crew Hails "Ultimate" Cooper Tyres
Maxxis Signs Lucrative Premiership Advertising Deals
Cooper Tire Bolts on to Lightning GT for Motor Show Debut
Vacu-Lug eBay Charity auction for Transaid Week
Kingsway Tyres Educate around the County
Hankook Puts Jules in the Picture with Competition Win
Half a Million Hours Go Towards Michelin Training Success
Young Engineers' Get the Inside Line from Avon Tyre GT Crew

UK Motorists Unlikely to Check for Tyre Age Problems

New consumer research commissioned for the NTDA's tyre age safety campaign has shown that 60 per cent of motorists are unlikely to check the age of their tyres, even though they understand the safety and performance issues related to older tyres.

The study, carried out in conjunction with the RAC Foundation, reveals that although nine out of ten drivers understand the link between tyre age and road safety, six out of ten (59%) say they are unlikely to check vital tyre age information contained on the sidewall. But simplifying the checking process could be one answer to the problem, as seven out of ten motorists say they would like to see the current age coding system replaced by an easy-to-read 'year of manufacture' date on the tyre. The research also found that 45% of drivers questioned - equating to more than 13 million motorists nationally - still do not know the minimum legal tread depth for car tyres of 1.6mm. More than 60 % of these were female drivers.

The NTDA, in conjunction with the RAC Foundation, is highlighting the safety issue of aged tyres, which have been linked to serious and fatal accidents. The high profile campaign was launched at the Motor Show, where tens of thousands of consumer information leaflets were distributed encouraging motorists to get their tyre age and condition checked by NTDA members.

The campaign will target owners of low-mileage cars, vintage and classic models, caravans, motor homes and trailers; vehicles most at risk of tyre fatigue through intermittent use over long periods of time. The spare tyre will also be a high priority, as it is often unused even though other tyres may have been replaced over the years. The danger signs of ageing can include: - cracks or crazing on the sidewall - tread separation, cracks or bulges - deformation of the tyre carcass - discolouration and fading of the rubber

Commenting on the research findings, NTDA Chairman Peter Gaster said: "It's good to know that most motorists recognise the connection between tyre age and safety but less encouraging that six out of ten would still not spend a few minutes establishing how old their tyres actually are.

"The fact that most drivers say they wouldn't check their tyres' age makes it even more important for the NTDA to promote the free inspection service. Our members' staff have the detailed knowledge and expertise to identify how old a tyre is and more importantly, recognise if it's showing any of the tell-tale signs of age related deterioration," he said.

Maxxis Motocross Teams Make their Mark

Maxxis-sponsored motocross teams are making their mark in the UK's leading events this season with Connor Walkley, a rider with Team Green Kawasaki, winning the 2008 Canada Heights International Senior Class at his first attempt. Meanwhile, Twisted 7/Moto/Animal Kawasaki's MX1 British-based riders Bryan MacKenzie and Richard Lawson are in the hunt after putting in solid performances in the third round of the British Open Championship.

Thirteen-year old Connor is riding a KX125 on Maxxis tyres in several premier youth groups this year and winning a race of this stature is quite a feat. However, Connor has won the championship for four consecutive years on four different Kawasaki machines, so this latest win is a really big achievement.

Britains Bumpiest Road Named and Shamed

A badly potholed road in Leeds has been named the worst in Britain in a survey by Continental Tyres. Station Road in Leeds has a giant crater around a sunken gate which is deeper than the maximum height of a speed hump and is posing a risk to cars and cyclists, sparking numerous complaints from residents and reports to the local council.

The road is one of ten highlighted as the most potholed or badly maintained in the UK by the Continental Tyres research. Others to make the list include Castle Street in Renfrewshire, Scotland covered with several hundred metres of deep holes and lumps, Mill Avenue in Hillingon, Middlesex, which features dangerous potholes and sunken manhole covers, which are causing road users to swerve into oncoming traffic.

Successful Lone Wolf Crew Hails "Ultimate" Cooper Tyres

Organisers of the successful Lone Wolf Transglobal Expedition, a 30,000-mile trek through 32 countries, will be looking to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company once again to carry them through their next adventure. The 12-month Lone Wolf trip saw Daniel Moylan and his crew tackle mud, ice, snow and water without a hitch, thanks in large part to the rugged Cooper Discoverer STT (Super Traction Tread) rubber bolted to the trek's Land Rover Wolf Defender.

Varying terrain was made all the worse by extreme temperatures, providing a demanding test not only for the vehicle and tyres, but also the team, as it travelled through Europe to Iran and the Middle East, across the jungles of South East Asia, to the USA and South America, before arriving back in the UK.

"We knew these tyres were going to do the business for us," said Moylan. "They turned out to do just that and are pretty much the ultimate in off-road ability." Now Moylan and his team are planning their next expedition through North Africa and Europe, which will hit the mud in December this year, and they will be fitting Cooper's dependable tyres to their two vehicles once again. A second trip is also in the planning stages but STTs are already the tyre of choice for that trek, too.

Available from Cooper stockists throughout the UK, the Discoverer STT is available in 26 sizes, from 15-inch to 18-inch diameters, and comes in C, D and E load ratings.

Maxxis Signs Lucrative Premiership Advertising Deals

Maxxis is targeting increased brand awareness among football fans and has announced three sponsorship agreements with well-supported Premier League clubs. In addition to renewing its support of Aston Villa, Maxxis has also signed, subject to contract, lucrative advertising deals with Everton, which took fifth spot in last season's Premiership and Tottenham Hotspur, which finished eleventh.

Maxxis is continuing with its perimeter advertising at the Villa Park ground and VIP corporate hospitality package. For the 2008/09 season Maxxis LED banner advertisements will also be located at Goodison Park and White Hart Lane, in prime positions on three sides of the pitch opposite the TV cameras. Maxxis is changing its advertising to make a big impact when the first Premier League matches kick off on Saturday, August 16.

"This improved brand exposure will reach the millions of fans who watch top flight football on TV as well as the loyal supporters who will pack the three stadiums for each game," says Maxxis International UK managing director Derek McMartin.

"Last season, whenever Villa played, we benefited from some excellent brand promotion. During the 2008/09 season Maxxis will be seen every week in the live games broadcast by Sky and Setanta and on the BBC's Match of the Day highlights programmes."

Cooper Tire Bolts on to Lightning GT for Motor Show Debut

Cooper Tire will be unveiled as the official OE tyre supplier for one of the stars of this year's British International Motor Show - the Lightning GT, a new electric sportscar. The firm's ultra-high performance Cooper Zeon 2XS will be fitted in 20 inch rim size as standard equipment on every Lightning GT built, and its superb cornering ability and steering response is a perfect fit for the 700bhp, 130mph sportscar.

As well as head-turning looks and performance, the Lightning GT also has the ultimate 'green' rating, as it has no CO2 rating and virtually no polluting emissions thanks to its battery power and electric motor innovation.

The Lightning GT will be shod with 245/45R20 Cooper Zeon 2XS rubber, offering superior traction and handling characteristics that will befit the Lightning GT's sporty 0-60mph in four seconds.

Vacu-Lug eBay Charity Auction for Transaid Week

The recent auction staged by Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres Limited on behalf of Transaid Week 2008, believed to be the transport industry's first ever eBay charity sale, raised a grand total of £560. The winning bidder was Nigel Moore, proprietor of independent tyre distributor Tyre Zone Limited of Sittingbourne, Kent.

"We decided to support Transaid Week and were keen to do something a little different in order to catch the imagination and thereby raise as much money as possible," says Dave Alsop, Vacu-Lug's Fleet Sales Director. "In the event, our eBay auction was a tremendous success. It attracted a great deal of interest and we saw the price pushed upwards by a lively rush of bidding towards the end - we were delighted with the sum raised!"

On offer in the auction were a full set of tyres for a 4x2 truck, comprising: · 2 x Yokohama 295/80 R22.5 RY023 152/148m steer-axle tyres · 4 x Vacu-Lug Duramold 295/80 R22.5 WDE2+ drive tyres "Together, this set of tyres is valued at approximately £1,000," says Dave Alsop. "So as well as Transaid Week benefiting through the generosity of Nigel Moore, he's got himself a great buy into the bargain! On behalf of all at Vacu-Lug I would like to thank Nigel, and everyone else who visited eBay and placed a bid, for taking part in our auction."

Kingsway Tyres Educate around the County

First Stop tyre dealership, Kingsway Tyres has been on the road around Norfolk to help educate the community in tyre safety. Kingsway Tyres had a large presence at The Royal Norfolk Show and the following weekend at Asda in Norwich. Both events were to help raise awareness of tyre safety in conjunction with the Bridgestone worldwide 'Think Before You Drive' campaign, after research showed that 90 percent of drivers do not know their correct tyre pressure.

The roadshows attracted hundreds of visitors who had the chance to get a picture taken beside the Ferrari Formula 1 car and experience the Formula 1 simulator, all for a small charity donation. £450 was raised for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from The Royal Norfolk Show and a further £331.38 will be given to The Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital Respiratory Unit from fundraising activity at Asda.

Hankook Puts Jules in the Picture with Competition Win

Jules Crawford is looking forward to a clearer picture ahead after winning a brand new LCD TV courtesy of tyre manufacturer Hankook. Jules who lives in Downton won the 40" TV as part of a summer promotion from the tyre giant which is also offering motorists a free tyre check.

"I'm thrilled winning the television,'' said Jules who collected her prize from Downton Tyre and Autocare. "It was a real surprise to find I had been picked out after I had my tyres checked.'' Hankook's Russell Garner and Tony Mayes from Downton Tyre and Autocare presented Jules with her prize.

Half a Million Hours Go Towards Michelin Training Success

The Michelin Training Centre is celebrating as it has just delivered its 500,000th hour of high quality training. The Centre, which is close to Michelin's UK headquarters in Campbell Road, Stoke-on-Trent, was set up at the start of 2002 and sees an average of over 3,000 people from all over the world come through its doors each year. The modern teaching environment provides both internal and external training on everything from basic time management to tyre related aspects of crash scene investigation.

Young Engineers' Get the Inside Line from Avon Tyre GT Crew

A group of young future engineers got their first taste of top-level motorsport engineering when they visited the Thruxton round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship. The 19 children, all 10 or 11 years old from Year 6 of All Saints Junior School in Hastings, took a trip to the Hampshire track, renowned as the UK's fastest, to go 'behind the scenes' with the country's premier sportscar racing championship, on Sunday, June 29.

The children are all part of the Young Engineers initiative, which is designed to inspire young people to develop an interest in engineering, and recognise the importance of engineering as a career. As well as watching the GT cars, including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin, the youngsters got to spend some time with the Avon Tyres crew, which supplies race tyres to every car in the GT, British Formula 3, Formula Ford and Caterham Superlight championships.

All Saints school teacher, Faith Rew, said, "We had an amazing time at Thruxton, and everyone made our day very special. The talk at Avon Tyres was enjoyed by all the children and was interesting and informative. The crew was super and the children wore their Avon Tyres caps with pride!"