Avon Tyres joins Brabham in MSA British Race Elite initiative
Avon Tyres is to link up with ex-Formula 1 driver, David Brabham, as an official partner in the new MSA British Race Elite programme. The initiative, launched at the Autosport International Show, is designed to offer selected promising young British racing drivers the chance to develop their skills by giving technical insights into every aspect of motor racing, from tyre technology to physical fitness and mind coaching.
Continue ReadingBandag Faces Lawsuit over Bridgestone Purchase
A number of Bandag Inc. shareholders have reportedly filed a lawsuit against the retreading supplier for allegedly failing to seek offers of purchase from potential buyers other than Japanese tyre giant Bridgestone. The lawsuit was filed in the District Court in Bandag’s hometown of Muscatine County, Iowa on December 8 by the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 572. They are seeking class action status on behalf of all shareholders.
Continue ReadingMaxxis – Taking Motorcycling to the Supermaxx
Maxxis – Taking Motorcycling to the Supermaxx “Although the new Supermaxx will feature the same tread and will look much the same as the existing product, radical improvements to the carcass and compound mean it will offer superior traction and drive,” says Derek McMartin, managing director of Maxxis International UK.
Continue ReadingCompletely Different – Michelin MotoGP Tyre
Gauloises Yamaha MotoGP rider Colin Edwards has given Michelin’s new 16- inch front tyre a definite thumbs up during pre-championship simulation races in Sepang. The smaller diameter front tyre is designed to provide greater stability during braking and cornering for the new generation of 800cc machines being introduced into the MotoGP competition.
Continue ReadingNew Firestone Tyre for Corvette
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire has added two new sizes to its North American Firestone Firehawk™ Wide Oval™ tyre range– P245/40R18 88Y RFT and P285/35R19 90Y RFT. These tyres are designed to fit Chevrolet’s sixth generation of Corvette.
Continue ReadingAutomakers Show Interest in Goodyear-USW Contract
Detroit’s “Big Three” carmakers are casting an eye on the contract signed between Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and the United Steelworkers union at the end of last year as a potential model to emulate. Of particular interest is the trust fund the company set up to separate themselves from the responsibility of future retiree health costs.
Continue ReadingNegative Praise For Tyremaker
As the World Economic Forum got underway in the Swiss resort town of Davos, Swiss globalisation opponents held their own ‘Public Eye’ awards, in which companies they have identified as being environmentally or socially irresponsible were given an “award” in recognition. This year tyremaker Bridgestone was the recipient of one such award.
Continue ReadingPirelli Chosen as BRC Control Tyre
Pirelli has been selected as the control tyre for the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship (BRC). A three-year agreement between Pirelli Tyres and the BRC will lead to, in the view of the BRC, a more equal competition in which the driver’s talent and ability can be showcased during the six-round championship. The decision to switch to a single tyre supplier comes after a control fuel was successfully introduced at the start of the 2006 season.
Continue ReadingHarpers Choose ATS Euromaster for Tyre Management
Harpers Waste Management Solutions has adopted a managed tyre policy with ATS Euromaster at its two largest depots in York and Billingham. The agreement will see Michelin tyres fitted across 45 commercial vehicles in its fleet, marking a distinct change from the company’s previous tyre procurement policy which saw a number of different brands fitted by a range of suppliers.
Continue ReadingConti Signs Deal with India’s Metro Tyres
Indian tyremaker Metro Tyres is planning the production of tubeless motorcycle tyres as part of a technical collaborative deal with Continental AG. The tyres will initially be manufactured principally for overseas markets, although domestic sales will follow at a later date.
Continue ReadingMagnaflow Brand Recruiting Exhaust Installers
Nemesis UK, the official UK distributor of Magnaflow Performance Exhaust products, is offering garages and performance centres the chance to become approved Magnaflow installers. In order to meet increased demand for the brand, Nemesis UK has devised a business package that will enable garages and performance centres to equip themselves as approved Magnaflow installers and be able to build bespoke exhaust systems.
Continue ReadingFormer Pirelli Chairman Dies
Pirelli has reported the death of Former chairman Leopoldo Pirelli. Pirelli, who passed away at his home in the northern Italian seaside resort of Portofino, was 81.
Continue ReadingKwik-Fit Fleet and Leaseplan Sign New Five-Year Deal
Kwik-Fit Fleet has won a five-year multi-million pound tyre repair, replacement and management contract with LeasePlan UK. The deal with LeasePlan UK, one of the country’s largest contract hire and fleet management companies with almost 120,000 funded vehicles on its books, will run until the end of 2011. The new contract builds on a business relationship between the two companies, which dates back to 2004.
Continue ReadingMichelin Launches Pilot Road 2
Michelin has launched the Pilot Road 2, unveiling its latest dual compound offering at the Motorcycle Trade Expo at Stoneleigh Park. The French manufacturer claims that its latest product means riders no longer have to compromise between wet grip and tread life. Michelin hopes results of tests conducted by CERM will help convince retailers and the motorcycle riding public of this.
Continue ReadingMotorcycle Tyre Market Revs Up
In contrast to car tyre sales, the UK motorcycle tyre market continued the pattern of growth it has demonstrated in recent years in 2006. Europool figures put the total market size at about 775,000 units (not including non-EU produced tyres and grey and parallel imports), up around 2.2 per cent on 2005. But industry sources are expecting more next year and are projecting that European produced tyre sales will reach 800,000 units (up 3.22 per cent).
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