Tyre News

Tyres-Online Editor in Marie Curie Fundraiser
Kubica Surprises Fans at Bridgestone Poznan Tyre Plant
Michelin in Motorcycle Tyre Recall
Avon Tyres Still Bridging the Gap at Castle Combe
Continental Enters Guinness Book of Records
Dunlop Appeals for Iconic Images to Aid Motorsport Safety
Mario Andretti Supports UK Installer Launch
Food and Drink for Thought from Manbat
Excitement for Yokohama-shod Aston Martins at Nürburgring 24 Hours
First Stop Dealerships Putts Customers First
Hankook Starts Production in Hungary

Tyres-Online Editor in Marie Curie Fundraiser

A number of leading companies within the tyre industry gave a major boost to a British Cancer Charity recently by sponsoring Tyres-Online publisher David Wilson in his efforts to raise money for terminally ill cancer patients. David was taking part in a 440 mile sponsored cycle ride from Malin Head to Mizen Head in Ireland in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Tyre manufacturers Continenal, Kumho and Michelin all made significant financial contributions to Marie Curie, with Continental also supplying David with tyres, tubes and cycling kit for the ride. Meanwhile, tyre repair material supplier Vipal supplied all 67 riders in the event with Vipal tyre repair kits. Other leading corporate sponsors included Solideal, Sapphire Energy Recovery, ECI International and a number of retreading companies including Bandvulc, Bulldog, C-Tyres and Vacu-Lug.

David Wilson commented: "We are very grateful to all of our sponsors for their generous sponsorship of this event. In total the team of riders raised well in excess of £125,000 for Marie Curie". Pictured at the Finish line at Mizen Head is David Wilson (right) together with Marie Curie staff Anne Hannan and David Zilkha.

Marie Curie Cancer Care employs more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, providing care to around 25,000 people with cancer every year, along with support for their families. The charity is best known for its network of Marie Curie Nurses working in the community to provide end-of-life care for patients in their own homes. However, the charity also runs 10 hospices across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and two centres for palliative care research.

Kubica Surprises Fans at Bridgestone Poznan Tyre Plant

Lucky employees at Bridgestone's Poznan production plant in Poland enjoyed a day with a difference recently as BMW Sauber F1 driver Robert Kubica took time away from the track to pay them a visit. Poland's star driver toured the factory and saw how tyres are made before choosing Poland's winner of the Bridgestone "dreams at heart" children's drawing competition. He turned a few heads on the way, chatting to staff on the production line and signing autographs for a lucky few of his enormous fan club in Poland.

The Kubica visit was part of official celebrations for the completion of the final expansion phase at the Poznan plant, raising daily production capacity to 22,000 tyres. The increased output will help meet growing demand across Europe for Bridgestone's high-performance passenger car tyres.

Michelin in Motorcycle Tyre Recall

Michelin has launched a campaign to recall its Pilot Power 2CT and Pilot Power 120/70 ZR 17 motorcycle tyres with "Made in France" markings. An examination of these tyres showed a possible defect in the tread due to a manufacturing irregularity. No cases of pressure loss have been reported and no accidents have occurred.

Because customer safety is its prmary concern, Micheln has decided as a precaution to replace certain 120/70 ZR 17 Michelin Pilot Power 2CT and Michelin Pilot Power front tyres, which can be identified by the following markings on the sidewall:

- a made in France label

-DOT 6UCW 980T or DOT 6UCW 979T

These tyres will no longer be sold by dealers. A special telephone number for consumers has been set up to provide customers wit information about the campaign. The numbers are 0800 454774 (UK) and 0044 1782 401535 (Ireland).

Avon Tyres Still Bridging the Gap at Castle Combe

Visitors to Wiltshire circuit, Castle Combe, in the early part of this season may have noticed an extra bit of sparkle to the classic venue. Although they may not have been able to quite put their finger on it, the reason for the new sheen is down to a 50-year fixture at the track, and one of UK motorsport's longest-standing traditions.

The Avon Tyres bridge, which traverses the pit lane entry, is the UK's longest-standing bridge sponsorship, and it's been given a revamp for 2007. Castle Combe circuit started life in 1950, and the relationship with Avon Tyres, based just 11 miles down the road in Melksham, started in 1954, when the tyre manufacturer, now owned by US firm Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, put its name on the bridge. The bridge, knocked down and rebuilt 10 years ago, has been adorned with several incarnations of the famous Avon Tyres logo ever since, but it was felt that a spot of freshening up was required.

"We're very proud of our long association with Castle Combe," said Avon's motorsport chief and managing director for Cooper Tire's European operations Julian Baldwin. "The track is known as one of the fastest, and most challenging, circuits in the UK, and that reflects our continuing commitment to producing high quality race and road tyres. If you're going to take on Castle Combe, you need the very best in rubber on your car - and now as you enter Camp Corner, you'll be able to see our colours clearer than ever."

Continental Enters Guinness Book of Records

The ContiSportContact Vmax has been officially recognised as the world's fastest standard production road tyre. Independent technical experts documented the recent record attempt to ensure entry into the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records.

The record was set by German Jan Fatthauer, who runs his own Porsche customising company and under test conditions, he reached 242 mph (388 km/h) using ContiSportContact Vmax tyres. He also currently holds the record for the world's fastest car approved for road use. Modern sports cars now have engines as powerful as top class racing cars. Models from specialised tuners, as well as from manufacturers such as Porsche and Ferrari, can today reach speeds of 225 mph (360 km/h) and more.

It was specifically for the need for safety at such high speeds that Continental developed the ContiSportContact Vmax. The tyre has to withstand the stresses created by these cars during braking, accelerating and cornering. The super sports tyre is based on the successful ContiSportContact family; the ContiSportContact Vmax model was developed through a special programme to achieve these demanding high speed characteristics. The major priority was efficient tyre cooling, whilst maintaining excellent handling and good grip in the wet.

"When developing this high-tech road tyre we were able to call on experience gained in the design of high-performance tyres for Original Equipment and for our technology partners in the performance tuning sector" explained Holger Berkmann, tyre development engineer at Continental.

Jan Fatthauer also set the record for the world's fastest convertible - again in a tuned Porsche fitted with ContiSportContact Vmax tyres - in October 2006, when he reached a speed of 380.5 km/h (237.8 mph).

Dunlop Appeals for Iconic Images to Aid Motorsport Safety

Dunlop Tyres are appealing for motoring enthusiasts to submit photography for inclusion in a coffee-table photobook encapsulating the thrill of the drive. The book will then be sold to raise money for the Motorsport Safety Fund which helps aid improvements in safety standards at motorsport events.

James Bailey of Dunlop Tyres said: "We really want to produce a photobook that celebrates the best and most emotive elements of driving. We know that many driving enthusiasts are also passionate about photography and we would like to give them the chance to see their work in print.

"It might be a specific model of car, some on-track action, a street scene, celebrating fans at a BTCC event or a view of a fantastic drive - we want drivers to send us images of whatever they are passionate about. "The Motorsport Safety Fund is a fitting and worthy charity for Dunlop to link with on this project with a cause that is very close to our heart."

The book will also include images from celebrity driving enthusiasts and racing drivers alongside driving tips and motoring tales. Among the project's supporters are Sky News and Vroom Vroom presenter Jon Desborough, ITV 4's Used Car Roadshow presenter and champion Rally driver Penny Mallory, Deals On Wheels presenter Mike Brewer and Pimp My Ride host / Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood.

To submit an image for possible inclusion, please visit www.driversknow.co.uk and follow the instructions. For more information on the Motorsport Safety Fund visit www.motorsportsafetyfund.com

Mario Andretti Supports UK Installer Launch

Magnaflow UK officially launched its brand-new performance exhaust installer network recently when motor racing legend, Mario Andretti, welcomed one of 12 new garage and workshop businesses to the programme. The network was established at the beginning of the year and in the last five months, Nemesis UK - the exclusive UK distributor for Magnaflow products - has been instrumental in giving 12 garage and workshop businesses a valuable extra service to present to customers.

While on a visit to the UK, Andretti decided to help mark the completion of the first stage of Nemesis UK's installer recruitment programme. The 1978 Formula One World Champion - an ambassador for Magnaflow products - spent a morning with Nemesis UK managing director Paul Tomlinson and his staff, as well as one of the new installers to join the network, DRM Motorsport.

Andretti said: "I wish all of the installers the best of luck with their new venture and assure them that they couldn't have aligned themselves with a better aftermarket product brand. "Speaking as one of Magnaflow's most satisfied customers, I know first hand that all of the applications look magnificent, the quality is second to none and the fit is perfect. For an aftermarket application to fit so well is impressive. The Magnaflow design and build is spectacular."

Food and Drink for Thought from Manbat

Manbat has rewarded its customers with cases of wine following their participation in the company's most extensive customer service questionnaire to date. The customer questionnaire, carried out as part of Manbat's ISO 9001 accreditation, was given to customers at four Manbat branches across the UK including: Abergele Glasgow, Guildford and Shefford. Customers that carried out the questionnaire were then entered into a prize draw, with the winner receiving a case of wine from their local Manbat branch.

Pip Bashall of Surrey Off-road Specialists Ltd, was the recipient of a case of wine from Manbat's Guildford branch. She said: "We've worked with Manbat in one shape or form since 1967 and throughout this time its customer service has been exemplary. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and react swiftly to our requests, going out of their way to offer an excellent service."

Excitement for Yokohama-shod Aston Martins at Nürburgring 24 Hours

There was plenty of excitement for the Yokohama-equipped Aston Martin Vantage N24s in the SP8 class of the recent ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hours. The Herreman Racing entry took fourth in class, while the two Aston Martin cars finished seventh and ninth. This year's event once again saw more than 200 cars take the start of the event, running at the fearsome Nordschleife circuit in Germany. Aston Martin entered a pair of Vantage N24s, the near-production standard cars fitted with Yokohama tyres, both from the factory and for the race itself. The first customer team to use a Vantage N24, Herreman Racing, was also running the Japanese manufacturer's tyres for the race.

The start of the 2007 event was delayed for two hours due to a torrential downpour but once the race got underway, the action soon hotted up. The number 8 Vantage was driven by Aston Martin Chief Executive Dr. Ulrich Bez and he was partnered by Chris Porritt, Wolfgang Schuhbauer and Horst von Saurma. It settled into a good rhythm and its pace was improving with every lap. Then, part-way into the race, rain once again began to fall as von Saurma was at the wheel. He was able to avoid the unfolding string of accidents and return to the pits to fit Yokohama wet weather tyres. However, the car was soon to experience problems, as a damaged electrical connection forced the team to place the car in the garage while it completed the necessary repair. Once resolved, the car was back on form but with the time loss, went on to finish ninth in class and 126th overall.

The sister car, number 9, fared slightly better but would also lose time, as a result of a damaged engine mount. The technicians replaced the mount but again, there was more than two hours spent in the garage while they did so. A remarkable achievement, to carry out such a job and still ensure that the car finished seventh in class and 93rd overall.

The Herreman Racing car, the first team to use the Vantage N24 as customers, enjoyed a less fraught event and a steady run saw it claim fourth in class and 62nd overall by the end of the race.

First Stop Dealerships Putts Customers First

A Cambridgeshire First Stop tyre dealership continues to putt its loyal customers first after rewarding them with a top day of golf. It is the ninth year running that Eaton Socon-based Wilson's Tyres & Exhaust has used the stunning Wyboston Lakes as the base for a networking event. The annual hit-out, organised in association with network partner Bridgestone, provides an opportunity for the Wilson's Tyres team to forge greater relationships with key customers by saying thanks for the support they've given.

"The golf day at Wyboston Lakes is a steadfast fixture on the company calendar, and it's an event employees and customers alike look forward to with equal excitement," said Nigel Wilson, who manages the business. "My father Charles started the trend almost a decade ago, and it's now become an integral part of our customer relations strategy."

Jason Seymour emerged as the overall winner at this year's golf day, on 14 June. All the players were presented with a selection of golfing equipment, including umbrellas and caps, courtesy of Bridgestone UK.

Hankook Starts Production in Hungary

Korean tyre manufacturer Hankook has announced that it has now started tyre production on the European continent. The recently developed environmental-friendly tyre Optimo K715 made its way through the whole building and vulcanisation-process as the very first tyre to come off the production line at the company's new plant in Hungary.

The tyre was signed afterwards by the company's global CEO Seung Hwa Suh, the Hungarian Minister of Economy and Transport Janos Koka together with Eom Seock Jeong, the Korean Ambassador in Hungary. They were accompanied by Andras Kalman and Istvan Schrick the mayors of Dunaujvaros and Racalmas, where the new Hankook plant is located.

"We are very glad to be welcomed by the Hungarian government, by the people of Dunaujvaros and the whole region", said Mr. Suh. "I believe the success is due to our shared goals and ambitions. One of our main targets", Mr. Suh continued, "is to boost the economy of the region and the whole country through to the production of superior quality and high performance tyres."