New Australian Pirelli Motorcycle Tyre Distributor Named
Australian based motorcycle parts and accessories importer and distributor Link International has been granted Australian distribution rights to the Pirelli motorcycle tyre range. Pirelli thus joins a product portfolio that includes Thailand’s Vee Rubber plus a number of motorcycle component brands including Motul Oils, RK Chains, Ferodo Brake Pads, JT Sprockets, Excel Rims and Polisport Plastics. Distribution of the Pirelli motorcycle range begins on February 2, 2009.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Signs MotoGP Supply Deal
Bridgestone has confirmed that it has signed the final contract with Dorna to become the official tyre supplier for the MotoGP class in the FIM MotoGP World Championship for a three-year period commencing with the 2009 season. This follows a tender process which took place in 2008. The agreement covers the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons where all MotoGP competitors will use Bridgestone tyres exclusively. In 2007 Ducati rider Casey Stoner was the first competitor to win the title using Bridgestone tyres, whilst Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi won last season’s title on the Japanese manufacturer’s rubber. CEO of Dorna Carmelo Ezpeleta, said, “Bridgestone is a company with a fantastic reputation and they make an outstanding contribution to motorsport. We strongly believe that this new agreement is very positive as it will simultaneously reduce costs and increase competition in MotoGP.”
Continue ReadingCooper’s Fuel Saver
Among the tyres on show on the Cooper stand was the Cooper GFE. The initials stand for Greater Fuel Efficiency and it is the companys first low-rolling resistance touring tyre. Compared to the Cooper GSE, rolling resistance is improved by 21 per cent. The GFE is designed to reduce rolling resistance without sacrificing tread life or traction. This green tyre combines state-of-the-art mixing technology together with an enhanced polymer system and silica tread compound, to provide exceptional wear, fuel economy, improved wet traction and a smooth, quiet ride.
Continue Reading‘Stash of Cash’ Found Within Tyre
Given the current state of our banks it is hardly surprising that people may consider alternative places to safe keep their valuables – inside the mattress is a tried and proven location, and numerous other spots around the house may also serve nicely as an ersatz safety deposit box. But inside a tyre? It’s probably not a great idea…
Continue ReadingPirelli’s New All-Rounder
Hugh Pace, chairman and CEO of Pirelli Tyre North America, introduced the latest tyre dedicated to the North American market; the Z-rated P Zero Nero All Season. The tyre incorporates a silica-based compound and the asymmetric tread features a solid centre rib for optimum braking and acceleration, while four longitudinal and numerous lateral grooves minimises the risk of aquaplaning. Low rolling resistance maximises fuel economy and the two zero degree nylon cap plies and steel belts minimise footprint deformation under extreme handling conditions. The P Zero Nero All Season has a growing list of OE homologations and the tyre is available in almost 30 sizes, including a number of runflat dimensions. It is manufactured at Pirellis factory in Rome, Georgia, using the companys Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) technology.
Continue ReadingFree Tyres Offered to Lure Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Competitors
Motorsport is admittedly not the cheapest of pastimes, but at least competitors taking part in this year’s Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship will not have so many worries about tyre costs. Pirelli, in conjunction with the Association of National Championship Rally Organisers (ANCRO) has announced that all registered competitors will be eligible to receive four brand new Pirelli tyres, completely free of charge. This decision has been taken, say the organisers, in a bid to tempt competitors to contest the eight-round national series.
Continue ReadingDunlop Gives Visitors The Needle
Visitors to the Dunlop Stand could take away a permanent reminder of the Sema show, as the tyre manufacturer was offering what was surely one of the more bizarre attractions of any exhibition – a tattooing service. On the tyre side, a great deal of interest was generated by Dunlops latest uhp summer tyre, the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec. Described as the tyre for hard-core driving enthusiasts and car club members, the new tyre features a special compound, Dunlop Jointless Band Technology and a high-response directional tread pattern with circumferential grooves. These elements help improve grip, create a consistent contact patch and maintain the tyres structural integrity at high speeds. The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is available in 20 sizes for fitment to most of todays most popular amateur motorsports vehicle choices. Rim sizes are from 15 to 18, aspect ratios from 55 series down to 35 and the tyre is V- and W-speed rated
Continue Reading‘Ledbetter’ Discrimination Bill Almost Ready for Obama’s Approval
A piece of legislation stemming from a pay dispute involving Goodyear was passed by the US Senate on January 22. It now only needs approval from the House of Representatives before it reaches Barack Obama’s desk for signing. The Senate passed the bill after a 61-36 vote, and an article posted on the White House blog on Sunday indicates the president supports it. The bill could well become the first that President Obama signs into law. If so, it will overturn a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that said former Goodyear supervisor Lilly Ledbetter could not sue for wage discrimination after being paid less than male employees performing the same job as she had not filed her suit within 180 days after the company first acted in discriminatory manner. The legislation will instead allow aggrieved workers to sue after the most recent discriminatory payment received, not the first one.
Continue ReadingSchaeffler Seizes Control of Conti Board
Schaeffler Group seized control of Continental AG’s supervisory board on 24 January. The Emergency General Meeting (EGM) held at the weekend concluded with chairman Hubertus von Gruenberg stepping down, reportedly to be replaced by Rolf Koerfer, a long-term Schaeffler Group legal aid and partner at Dusseldorf- based law firm Allen & Overy. At the same time, the ball bearing maker was able to negotiate the nomination of group owners Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler and Georg Schaeffler, not to mention company CEO Dr. Jürgen M. Geißinger to the Conti board. This shift in the balance of power led to the supervisory board “taking note” of Conti executives’ suggestion to “initiate a process to create an organizationally and legally independent Rubber Group.” In Schaeffler’s words, to “carve out” the rubber group into a separate entity. According to the company, this process will be overseen by the current (but apparently outgoing) chairman of the supervisory board, Hubertus von Grünberg. So while von Grünberg “wants to make his chairmanship available at short notice” he will continue to be a member of the supervisory board.
Continue ReadingDr. Hippe’s Departure from Continental Announced
Continental AG has officially confirmed media reports surrounding the future of Dr. Alan Hippe. According to a press release issued following the company’s January 24 Supervisory Board meeting, Hippe, who is currently chairman of the Executive Board, CFO and head of Conti’s Rubber Group, will leave Continental AG as of February 28. Continental says the decision on Dr. Hippe’s departure is a mutually agreed one, and his successor will be appointed in the coming weeks.
Continue ReadingKesoram Industries Rords Drop in Net Profit
Indian tyre manufacturer, Kesoram Industries has carded a 63.55 per cent reduction in net profit over the final quarter of 2008, finishing at 391.5 million rupees (5.8 million pounds sterling). The company has declared a suspension of work between 17 and 31 January to deal with the general market stagnation, an action first taken between 17 and 31 December , 2008, reports India’s Business Standard.
Continue ReadingGoodyear South Africa MD Announces Retirement
After more than three decades in the industry the managing director of Goodyear South Africa is to retire. Derek de Villiers, 61, will be replaced in April by current Dunlop Germany managing director Jean-Jacques Wiroth. The appointment was announced by Goodyear’s Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region president Michel Rzonzef. “Derek has been a strong leader for many years, both in South Africa and the Middle East. He is highly regarded by his peers both inside and outside the company. We thank him for his very considerable contributions,” said Rzonzef, paying tribute to de Villers’ 34 years with the company.
Continue ReadingNew HiQ Director Appointed
Goodyear Dunlop has announced the appointment of new HiQ director Juergen Titz, the man who masterminded the successful Goodyear Dunlop ‘4Fleet Group GmbH’ fleet business division in Germany. Titz has also been responsible for leading Goodyear Dunlop Europe´s consumer fleet activities as well as its European Retail approaches. In total, he has 11 years experience within the Goodyear Dunlop group, and has been a key advisor in the growth of the HiQ franchise programme as part of his pan-European role. He will now move to the UK on a full-time basis with his wife and two children. Mark Brickhill, Group managing director, stated, “Juergen’s experience of fleet management and retail development across Europe will play a key role in Goodyear Dunlop’s drive to grow our own HiQ National Franchise Programme in the UK [covered extensively on Tyrepress.com throughout 2008]. The continued growth of HiQ is a core element of our vision to build strong retail and servicing partnerships across the country”
Continue ReadingVee Introduce Taiga
Vee Rubber used the recent Sema show to introduce the companys first light truck and SUV tyre developed specifically for the North American market – the Taiga H/T. The presentation was made by managing director Mr. Vitorn Sukanjanapong and included information about Vee Rubber, such as the fact that production during 2008 would total 24 million units. The new Taiga has been extensively tested in a number of different climates and on many different surfaces, including off road and the result, says Vee Rubber, is a quiet, comfortable tyre with a long tread life; in the US, the tyre is offered with a 50,000 mile limited treadwear warranty. While the Taiga is not designed as a snow or all terrain tyre, it aims to allow drivers to face everyday driving with confidence, whatever the conditions.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Experience “Difficult F1 Test”
The official tyre supplier to Formula One, Bridgestone Motorsport has completed its first group test of 2009 at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve near Portimão, Portugal, where two compounds of 2009 specification slick tyres were used, as well as current specification wet and extreme wet tyres. Five teams were present over four days of testing between 19-22 January. Though the Algarve location is famed for its good weather, the test was affected by wet and windy weather, and at one stage hailstones fell on the track during the course of the four days. While Bridgestone’s soft and super soft compound slick tyres were available for use, teams predominantly opted for the wet and extreme wet tyres. Adding to the difficulty of the wet weather, the ambient temperature was also much cooler than is expected to be experienced at races this season. This restricted the amount of meaningful data that could be obtained. Compounding the problem was the relatively new circuit, whose surface was very slippery as a result of both the weather and its freshness.
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