Tyre News

Avon Tyres Supports Formula Student Teams
Tyre Specialists Team Up to Tackle Zambian Cycling Challenge
Self-Inflating Tyre Technology Triumphs at 2009 Tyre Technology Awards
Bike Tyre Safety Campaign Aims to Keep Bikers Safe on the Road
Michelin Ranked Strongest UK Business Tyre Superbrand
Cooper Tire Links up with Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services' "Safety Days"
First Stop Fuels Motoring Happiness
Cooper Appoints Silverline International as UK Distributor
Cooper Tyres Excel in 'Ultimate' Dakar Test
Maxxis Challenges for Pole Position in EDC
New Website is the First Stop for Customers

Avon Tyres Supports Formula Student Teams

Avon Tyres Motorsport is supporting Formula Student competitions around the world by offering a preferential rate on its Formula Student-specific tyres to any colleges and universities who take part in the events. Run in the UK by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and known internationally as Formula SAE, the Formula Student concept pits educational institutions from around the world against each other in order to promote excellence in engineering.

Teams from as far afield as India, Russia and Canada will join establishments from across Europe at Silverstone in July, with over 100 universities hoping to take part in Formula Student 2009. All will have to design and build a small single-seater racing car to perform well in several areas including sprinting, acceleration, skid pan, endurance and economy tests, as well as being judged on the car's design, cost and presentation.

"These are the engineers of the future, and we want to support them," said Avon Tyres Motorsport Sales Manager, Brian Davies. "It's an important, grass roots competition to get involved in and it's a pleasure to work with the Formula Student teams."

Each team's target will be to construct an affordable car suitable for autocross or sprint competition. Because of this, plus the lightweight nature of the chassis, the most suitable tyre compound is relatively soft.

"Even in the endurance part of the event, there's very little load through the tyres because the cars are so light, so it's possible to use a relatively soft tyre compound," said Davies. "In fact, the compound and construction we provide to the competitors is specific to Formula Student." This year's UK Formula Student competition will take place at Silverstone circuit from 16-19 July.

Tyre Specialists Team Up to Tackle Zambian Cycling Challenge

Two tyre specialists from Birmingham-based ATS Euromaster have teamed up to take part in the challenge of a lifetime, cycling over 420km across Zambia in aid of Transaid, the official charity of the road transport and logistics industry.

Chris Dolman, 28, Category Marketing Manager at the company's head office in Upper Portland Street, Aston, will be joined on the ride by Damien Phillips, 21, a technician at ATS Euromaster's service centre in Swindon. Together they will link up with a 30-strong group of volunteers for the 10-day expedition, which will run from 7-16 May 2009.

The event is aiming to raise over £100,000 to support Transaid's vital work to help people in Africa gain better access to healthcare, education and the opportunity to earn a living through safer, cheaper and more efficient transport.

To support Chris and Damien's challenge, ATS Euromaster held a 'casual clothes' day on 17 February with each member of the 300-strong team in Aston making a £1 donation towards their joint fundraising target. "The company has been a great support, both financially and morally. We brought three exercise bikes into the office yesterday (17 February) and Damien and I spent the majority of the day on the bikes challenging other people in the office to join us. It was tiring, but helped to highlight our fundraising trip and gave us a chance to talk to colleagues about the work Transaid is involved in," concludes Chris.

Self-Inflating Tyre Technology Triumphs at 2009 Tyre Technology Awards

The Self Inflating Tire (SIT), a new invention of Coda Development, has scooped the prestigious Tire Technology of the Year award at the Tire Technology Awards for Innovation and Excellence 2009, which were presented at the Tire Technology Expo last month in Hamburg, Germany.

Coda Development's Self Inflating Tire system is primarily designed to aid fuel economy and safety. As well as benefiting drivers through the elimination of unpopular pressure checks and inconvenient tire inflation, it helps to address the serious drawbacks of incorrect tyre pressure.

SIT is an integral tyre feature that uses atmospheric air to inflate the tire automatically when a vehicle is in motion, compensating for natural loss of pressure, and ensuring maintenance-free, constant tire pressure over the lifetime of the tyre.

"It's a fantastic, beneficial technology, yet remains a simple, inexpensive solution designed to be manufacturer-friendly," says Adam Gavine, editor of Tire Technology International. "Production costs for incorporating this component will increase only marginally compared to regular tyres, but the benefits the technology provides are considerable."

Coda Development, which is based in Prague, Czech Republic, plans to develop the system further into a proven production model in joint cooperation with partners from the automotive and tyre industries.

Bike Tyre Safety Campaign Aims to Keep Bikers Safe on the Road

In the run-up to April's Bike Tyre Safety Month, TyreSafe is calling on tyre retailers to help raise awareness of the importance of tyres in bike safety, as many bikers take to the roads for their first ride of the spring. Despite the fundamental functions that tyres provide to bikers in terms of efficient handling, suspension and braking, statistics from VOSA reveal that in 2007-8, defective or illegal tyres was recorded as the fourth most common MoT failure defect.

Worryingly, the number of MoT failures attributed to defective tyres has grown year on year for the past three years, increasing from 2.8 percent of motorcycles tested in 2005-6 to 4.8 percent in 2007-8. Meanwhile, motorcycle fatality rates remain high, with Department for Transport figures showing that in 2007, 588 motorcyclists died in road traffic accidents, accounting for 20 percent of all fatalities on the road.

"With only two patches each the size of a credit card in contact with the road, it is essential that bikers ride on correctly inflated tyres with sufficient tread depth in order to avoid causing serious accidents," comments Rob Beddis, TyreSafe chairman.

"Any bikers carrying pillion or panier loads should also check the recommend tyre pressure level for the bike when fully loaded. The trade can play their part in helping to reduce the alarming number of motorcycle fatalities by joining our campaign to encourage bikers to consider the importance of tyre safety."

Bike Safety Month will aim to make motorcyclists more aware of the potential dangers of neglecting to maintain their tyres correctly. Motorcycle tyres that have been left standing over winter need to be checked to make sure they are inflated to the level recommended in the manufacturer's handbook. The condition of the tyres should also be checked to make sure there are no tears, cracks or bulges, and riders must ensure there is at least 1mm of tread depth across three quarters of the width of the tread pattern, with visible tread on the remaining quarter. Motorcyclists should also be careful to check that their wheels aligned correctly in order to avoid any uneven wear patterns.

Michelin Ranked Strongest UK Business Tyre Superbrand

Michelin has been awarded eighth place in the prestigious Business Superbrands 2009 survey of the UK's strongest business brands, compiled by The Centre for Brand Analysis. It is the Automobiles & Parts Sector's strongest brand, followed by Goodyear (18th) and Pirelli (20th). Dunlop and Bridgestone were the next highest ranked tyre brands in 53rd and 54th place respectively.

Stephen Cheliotis, Chairman of the expert council & CEO, The Centre for Brand Analysis, said: "We congratulate all the Automobiles and Parts brands for achieving top 500 status, and particularly Michelin for representing the sector so highly in eighth place."

Now in its seventh year, Business Superbrands identifies and pays tribute to the country's strongest B2B brands. The 2009 Business Superbrands rankings reflect the views of a panel of experts and over 1,500 business professionals. The process is administered by The Centre for Brand Analysis on behalf of the Superbrands organisation.

Cooper Tire Links up with Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services' "Safety Days"

Cooper Tire has linked up with Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services to help support a series of events encouraging safer motoring for those who drive for work. The "Safety Days" help participants improve their knowledge in a wide variety of safety issues, from hazard perception and awareness through to general car maintenance such as checking tyre pressure and tread depth.

Cooper has assisted with the running of these events by providing competition prizes for drivers who take part in the days, and is looking for the two companies to link up more in the future to help promote safer driving for Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services' fleet of more than 9000 vehicles.

"Safety is a subject that Cooper Tire ranks as extremely important, and so working to support these events is something we're very happy to do," said Cooper's National Account Manager James Steventon. Those who take part are taught about hazard identification and defensive driving, as well as being shown what people really see when they drive and how to make sure they stay safe on the roads. A driving simulator also gives participants the chance to not only keep themselves and others safe on the roads, but also how to save money by analysing just how fuel efficient their driving style is.

First Stop Fuels Motoring Happiness

Lucky motorists across the UK were given something to smile about when they arrived at the petrol pumps recently. Tyre dealership network, First Stop, took to the roads to give motorists a helping hand by paying for their fuel at selected forecourts across the UK.

These generous gestures launched a First Stop promotion to win a whole year's worth of fuel. During February, March and April customers purchasing two or more Bridgestone or Firestone tyres are entered into a free prize draw.

As well as paying at the pumps, the First Stop teams are using this promotion as an opportunity to educate drivers about the link between tyre pressure and fuel economy.

Cooper Appoints Silverline International as UK Distributor

Premium 4x4 and light truck tyre manufacturer, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, has appointed Warwick-based Silverline International as one of its official UK distributors. Silverline International has been in business since 1988, and is one of the UK's leading centres for UHP and SUV wheels and tyres.

Cooper Tire Divisional Manager, Andy Harris, said: "We are delighted that Silverline International will be representing Cooper Tire. They are one of the UK's leading and most respected independent suppliers of tyres in the country."

This year Silverline will be seen at most 4x4 shows and exhibitions, including the British Indoor 4x4 Show later this month, the Land Rover Owner Billing Show in July, as well as the Land Rover Owner Peterborough Show in September. Silverline plans to exhibit at Brityrex in September with a range of Cooper products.

Cooper Tyres Excel in 'Ultimate' Dakar Test

Cooper Tire's rugged Discoverer STT tyres helped Toyota Spain achieve a result they believed "unthinkable" in this year's Dakar Rally. The Spanish Toyota KXR Team piloted their Land Cruiser KXR to 16th overall, and a magnificent second in the T2 Diesel class, in the gruelling rally, which was run through Argentina and Chile for the first time this year.

Team driver Xavier Foj declared the 2009 Dakar much tougher than previous runnings of the event in its traditional African location, thanks to the searing temperatures and difficulty of the route, but said the Cooper rubber coped admirably with terrain that, in places, was almost impassable.

"The Cooper tyres adapted perfectly to this year's diversity of terrain," he explained. "They were definitely the right choice. This Dakar was way tougher than the African one. Finishing in the top 20 in a Dakar like this one was unthinkable. The whole team was highly satisfied. This was a real victory."

Designed with the adventurous pursuits of rock-climbing, mud-eating and terrain-taming in mind, the Discoverer STT also offers superb traction, enhanced durability and increased puncture resistance on the road thanks to its innovative and uncompromising design and tread compound. Its outstanding durability is delivered by the three-ply Armor-Tek3 body, while the non-directional tread elements are strategically siped for exceptional handling in wet weather.

The M and S rated Discoverer STT is available in 15, 16, 17 and 18-inch rim sizes and is suitable for fitment on vehicles such as the Land Rover Defender, Mitsubishi L200 and Toyota Land Cruiser.

Maxxis Challenges for Pole Position in EDC

Following the successful debut of its MA-Z1 high performance radial in last year's European Drift Championship (EDC), Maxxis is aiming to raise its profile by developing its links with the high octane sport of drifting. Maxxis is renewing its sponsorship of professional drift driver Declan Hicks from Dorset and the SVA Imports team and their Belfast-born driver Mark Luney, who will once again be contesting Europe's premier drift series.

Both drivers will be using the MA-ZI Drift tyre, which is based on the road-going version but incorporates a specially developed high temperature silicone rubber compound for long life and the all-important smoke required to score extra points.

Featuring the highest specification drift cars in Europe, the EDC not only attracts the top drivers and teams, but also generates a great deal of enthusiast support, because it combines professional racing with the buzz surrounding the UK's aftermarket tuning scene.

The 2009 championship comprises five rounds, commencing at Oulton Park on April 25 - the first time professional drifting has taken place at the circuit - and finishing at Snetterton on October 11.

New Website is the First Stop for Customers

First Stop, the network of tyre dealerships, is launching a brand new website, www.firststop4tyres.co.uk, plus a service to help customers get more from their local tyre dealership. The website aims to be a valuable resource for customers, with a UK-wide dealer locator as well as detailed information on Bridgestone's tyre range and updates on the latest news and promotions across the network.

The brand new dealer locator text service and phone-line is also being launched as part of a drive to keep customers better informed. To be put in touch with their nearest dealer, customers simply need to text or call the dedicated number which will be featured in a First Stop advertising campaign being rolled out across the UK.