Motorsport
Falken’s James Deane secures Formula Drift triple
Falken drift driver James Deane claimed his third Formula Drift Pro title at Irwindale Speedway, California, on 19 October 2019. The 28-year-old Irishman joined the series in 2017 and has won every year since, making him the first person in Formula Drift history to win three consecutive titles.
Cambrian: Perfect beach race debut for Kenda
For many, the annual Weston Beach Race is the ultimate test of man and machine. More than 900 riders battle it out on the sands of the Victorian seaside resort, with the goal of claiming one of the most coveted prizes in motocross after a gruelling three-hour race.
Sailun celebrates China drifting victory
The three days of drifting excitement that was the China Drifting Cup Grand Prix (DCGP) came to an end on 13 October, with the Sailun Drift Team crowned champion of the Singles, Drift-Chase and the Manufacturer's Cup categories. Sailun Group says these results highlight the combined performance of the vehicles, drivers' capabilities and the “fine-tuned product design” of the second-generation Sailun FG1 race tyre.
Bridgestone riding high in motocross
Bridgestone continues to grow its presence in motorcross, which the company describes as a motorsport market fuelled with “incredible potential.” Just five years ago, Bridgestone barely had a presence in the motocross tyre sector but has grown exponentially assume a significant share – which is expected to rise further in the years ahead.
Goodyear returns to UK motorsport with sole BTCC tyre supply
From next year, Goodyear will replace its sister brand Dunlop as sole tyre supplier to the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Goodyear says the decision comes with a view to enhancing the Goodyear brand within the motorsport and ultra-ultra-high-performance (UUHP) segments. Goodyear first returned to motorsport outside North America at the end of August with the opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Silverstone.
Avon Tyres, Aston Martin Le Mans victory to be celebrated
Avon Tyres will celebrate its famous victory at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans with Aston Martin during this year’s Autumn Classic at Castle Combe on 5 October. Established in 2012, the Autumn Classic has developed into a popular event on the classic racing calendar, providing grids full of spectacular cars from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
Maxxis promotion to give away Guadagnini replica Husqvarna TC 125 bike
Maxxis is offering visitors to its Motorcycle Live stand website the chance to win a Mattia Guadagnini replica Husqvarna TC 125, marking the maiden racing season of the brand’s MaxxCross MX-ST and MaxxEnduro tyres. Guadagnini clinched the 125c FIM Junior Motocross World Championship and the European Motocross Championship on the MX-ST, while Brad Freeman lifted the 2019 Enduro GP World Championship.
Pirelli celebrates 50 year partnership with Abarth 124 Rally
In the 1970s, Pirelli and the 124 Rally were at the forefront of rallying. Half a century later, the two Italian brands are celebrating their historic association at the Abarth Days in Milan, the biggest European gathering for fans of the marque.
Dunlop launches Geomax MX53 at MXoN
At its Motocross of Nations (MXoN) press conference, Dunlop revealed the latest Geomax range addition, the MX53. This will be part of the brand’s portfolio for the 2020 MXGP and Supercross seasons. The tyre sits between the ‘super-hard’ terrain MX71 and the highly versatile MX33 in Dunlop’s wide Geomax portfolio.
5 out of 7 MX of Nations winners on Dunlop
The 73rd Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) took place at Assen, which saw a home win for Team Netherlands. The MXoN rounded off the season by bringing together the top motocross riders from around the world to race for their country, rather than for rider and manufacturer honours. The event also features multiple tyre manufacturers, and Dunlop emerged from the weekend with five wins from seven races (including three qualifying races, a B-final and three heats of the final). Dunlop also unveiled its latest addition to the Geomax range during the event.
Lamborghini seals Blancpain GT honours on Pirelli tyres
The Orange1 FFF Racing #563 Lamborghini won the final Blancpain Endurance Cup race of the season in Barcelona, helping the team to seal the overall and Endurance Cup titles with 185 points. The crew of Andrea Caldarelli, Marco Mapelli and Albert Costa, who replaced the unwell Dennis Lind, started third on the grid following qualifying, but eventually moved up to first spot to take the chequered flag.
Harder tyre choice allowed drivers to push pace in Sochi – Pirelli
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton won the Russian Grand Prix from second on the grid with one pit stop, moving from the medium to the soft tyre under a virtual safety car. His team mate Valtteri Bottas, who finished second, adopted the same strategy. Behind them there was a wide variety of tactics seen throughout the 53-lap race, which featured two safety cars: one straight after the start, and one just over the halfway point.
Apollo Tyres’ Thelma truck to race at Le Mans ‘one more time’
The Apollo Tyres TOR Truck Racing team will bring its racing truck ‘Thelma’ to Le Mans on 28-29 September for its final 2019 appearance on track. The team has been making a few alterations to the racing truck following a successful weekend at the ‘Convoy in the Park’ event at Donington in August, in preparation for the penultimate rounds of the European Truck Racing Championship.
Two podiums for Textar-sponsored John Newell at Snetterton
Textar-powered John Newell of Newell & Wright Motorsport highlighted his racing talent at the latest round in the truck racing championship at Snetterton, scoring two podiums over the course of the weekend.
Kenda announces Lings MX & Enduro partnership
Already a major success in the United States with several factory level partnerships, Kenda Tyres is the latest tyre brand to enter the UK market. It’s wasted no time in partnering with some promising British talent – the P.F.K. Ling group, who, with 12 riders in its stable for 2019, operates one of the largest motocross and enduro teams in East Anglia.