Goodyear Settles With DJ AM’s Estate Over 2008 Plane Crash
The estate of Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein has settled a lawsuit with Goodyear Tire & Rubber and several other defendants over a 2008 plane crash that killed four and left the disc jockey with burns.
Continue ReadingDunlop and Aston Martin Aiming for Le Mans Glory
Dunlop, Aston Martin Racing’s official global GT2 Development Partner, is to work closely with the British manufacturer over a three-year period in order to develop the Vantage GT2, which the Dunlop supported team JMW Motorsport will race in the 2010 Le Mans Series and Le Mans 24 Hour. According to Dunlop, an intensive testing programme gets underway this month ahead of the opening Le Mans Series race, the 8 Hours of Le Castellet, on April 9-11. Participation in a number of selected high profile events may be added to the team’s calendar at a later date.
Continue ReadingContinental Tyre Switch Delivers 25% More Mileage Says Les Smith Haulage
Les Smith Haulage Limited’s decision to switch to Continental from another premium brand is said to be delivering 25 per cent longer life on its front steer tyres. According to the company these tyres are achieving over 100,000 kilometres before being changed. Those on the rear axle are reportedly giving up to 400,000 kilometres of life. The 18 vehicle fleet is made up entirely of Mercedes-Benz Axor two-axle 18 tonners. These typically cover between 80,000 and 100,000 kilometres a year on work throughout the UK which includes both motorway and A road running. A policy of only ever fitting new tyres, correct tyre selection and careful monitoring of tyre condition lie behind the good performance of the Continentals.
Continue ReadingVacu-Lug Invests in New SIO Buffer
Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres has invested £150,000 in a latest-generation, twin-headed fully-automated buffing machine to ensure the greatest possible accuracy in the preparation of its retread tyre casings. Capable of working to a tolerance of one millimetre, the new Danish-built SI0 buffing machine is reportedly being used in the production of Vacu-Lug's Duramold range of premium quality retread tyres. "Our new machine is fully computer-controlled and has been pre-programmed with data for every tyre in the Duramold range," said Vacu-Lug Plant Manager, Brian Barron. "Our casings typically require between two and three millimetres of rubber above the steel belt and this machine can achieve that with pinpoint accuracy. In practice, this enables us to work to the most exacting quality standards, with a perfect result every time for any retread tyre from 17.5-inch through to the largest super-single."
Continue ReadingAfter Winter Come Potholes – Time to Check the Alignment
Now the snow is beginning to recede and the freshly potholed roads are being revealed, TyreSafe is advising motorists to ensure their wheels are properly aligned. Driving over potholes can alter the vehicle’s steering and suspension geometries or damage critical components which can reduce vehicle safety or generate extra running costs. By ensuring wheels are correctly aligned, drivers can minimise the effects of any pothole damage and ensure they remain as safe as possible.
Continue ReadingTyrespot Picks MAM
Tyrespot Ltd. is now using its Autopart management software to control its multi-branch tyre wholesale and retail autocentre operations. Tyrespot is a long established, well respected name among UK tyre independents. It is one of the country's leading regional distribution companies, with ten locations across northeast England. Its wholesale operation supplies tyres from a stock of over 60,000 as well as batteries and exhausts, via an express delivery service. Alan Tippin, Director and General Manager at Tyrespot, says: "Our original aim was to convert our existing tyre trade system to a full on-line solution to give us better business control. This changed once we were invited to look at MAM's Autopart software. We were immediately impressed by the strength and depth of the fully-integrated Windows software and were reassured by MAM's pedigree and its experience in the wider automotive aftermarket."
Continue ReadingNew Helston HiQ Opens
The owner of a new £100,000 fast fit centre in Helston is promising motorists a revolution in automotive care, after officially opening his forecourt to the public. Justin Roberton, who already runs successful operations in Truro, Bodmin and St Austell, is looking forward to welcoming motorists to a new centre in Clodgey Lane, Helston. The red ribbon was cut with HiQ’s retail director Juergen Titz on Saturday 9 January and both men predicted a bright future in the town. The centre features modern, award winning branding and state-of-the-art facilities, even including a baby changing unit and a children’s play facility.
Continue ReadingMetzeler Wins Third Consecutive Indoor Enduro World Title
Metzeler has claimed its third consecutive World Indoor Enduro title with top riders Blazusiak and Cervantes heading the order on Metzeler 6 DAYS EXTREME enduro tyres. After just three rounds of competition, Metzeler rider Tadeusz Blazusiak (KTM) was proclaimed FIM Indoor Enduro World Cup Champion in Vigo, Spain after winning all three finals. According to the company, this form of exciting and fast action Enduro has attracted big names this season with top names including multi World Enduro and Trials champions such as Mika Ahola (Honda), Dougie Lampkin (Beta) and Ivan Cervantes (KTM).
Continue ReadingDunlop to Supply Britcar GT Championship
Dunlop signed a contract to supply the Britcar GT and Production Championships for a further four seasons at the Autosport International Show at Birmingham’s NEC today (14 January 2010. The Britcar GT Championship is said to be the biggest championship of its type in the UK. Bringing endurance racing to circuits all over the UK, Britcar has become the country’s fastest and most popular National GT Championship. 2010 will see the return of the Britcar 24 hour race, Britain’s ‘blue-riband’ endurance racing event at Silverstone on 2 – 3 October.
Continue ReadingIran to Invest $440 million in Tyre Factory
Irans’s Industrial Development and Renovation Organization (IDRO) has reportedly earmarked $440 million dollars for the construction of a tyre factory in the country’s western Kordestan province. According to a report in the Tehran Times, the goal ultimate goal is for Iran to become self-sufficient in terms of tyre production.
Continue ReadingReports: Korean Tyre Manufacturers Interested in Formula 1
German motoring magazine Auto Motor und Sport has published coverage of the planned savings in Formula 1, which includes suggestions that Korean tyre manufacturers are interested in supplying the series. At the same time, the magazine reports that while Bridgestone has officially announced it will step back from F1 at the end of the 2010 series, the FIA could be seeking to tempt the tyre maker back with plans to keep costs down by limiting the number of tyres per race weekend to 10 from its current level of fourteen. While no names are mentioned in the report, speculation that two Korean tyre manufacturers are interested in supplying F1 is likely to refer to Hankook and Korea. Nevertheless, in opinion of the magazine, a 2011 start for one of the Korean tyremakers would be "technically too early”, hence the Bridgestone option.
Continue ReadingNeeraj Kanwar is new ATMA Chairman
Neeraj Kanwar, managing director of Apollo Tyres Ltd, has been elected chairman of the Indian the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA). Kanwar was unanimously elected as the next chairman at the association’s Annual General Meeting yesterday (14 January 2010) and is by far the youngest ATMA Chairperson so far since its inception in 1975.
Continue ReadingAlliance Appoints Former Goodyear Exec
Alliance Tire Group has appointed Manuel Pintado as president of Alliance Tire Europe BV. Pintado, who joins Alliance after previously heading industrial, farm and OTR tyre initiatives for Goodyear’s Europe Middle East and Africa region. Prior to this, Pintado held management positions in the Earthmover tyre segment across Europe and Latin America. "With the commissioning of our India facility and the acquisition of the Galaxy and Primex brands during 2009, the Alliance Tire Group is well positioned to emerge as a leader in the Global Off-Highway tyre industry; Manuel's appointment is another important step in this direction and we are sure the Group will benefit immensely from his leadership in Europe, which has been historically the most important market for the Group " said Yogesh Mahansaria, CEO of the Alliance Tire Group, welcoming him to the company.
Continue ReadingOver 140 Exhibitors Prepare for Bumper Tyrexpo Africa
Visitors to Tyrexpo Africa in Johannesburg in early March will have more than 140 exhibitors to talk business with as they look to take advantage of exclusive brand opportunities with tyre suppliers and improve the efficiency of their businesses with the latest workshop equipment, consumables and services. According to the show’s organisers, the third staging of Tyrexpo Africa (4, 5 and 6 March 2010 at the Sandton Convention Centre (SCC), Johannesburg) has experienced a late surge of exhibitor bookings taking the show to near stand space capacity.
Continue ReadingTyrereviews.co.uk Addresses UK Winter Tyres “Misunderstanding”
Coinciding with the current UK obsession with snow and ice-covered roads, consumer-based interactive review website Tyrereviews.co.uk has published its seven reasons for the country’s drivers to consider fitting winter tyres in the colder months, regardless of whether the current extreme conditions – for Britain at least – are a sign of things to come. Starting with the concept that UK drivers misunderstand winter tyres, compared to their status as a “legal requirement in most of northern Europe”, the website substantiates why UK road-users should think about purchasing seasonal rubber in greater quantities than currently seen – estimates put the UK market for winter tyres way under 1 per cent. The relatively new Tyrereviews.co.uk says that it aims to give motorists “impartial feedback on road and track tyres” by allowing “the people that drive on the tyres every day” the opportunity to review them.
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