The Tyre Industry Council has welcomed the results of independent tests carried out at the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA), which confirm the importance of adequate tread depth on vehicle tyres.

The independent braking tests conducted by MIRA into stopping distances and the cornering performance of car tyres on wet road surfaces show conclusively that these deteriorate noticeably well before the end of a tyre's life.  As an example, braking tests showed that significant increases in stopping distance begin to appear when tread depth falls below 3.5mm.  Compared with the reference tyres used in the MIRA test, which had 6.7mm of tread, stopping distances were approximately 16% higher on similar tyres with 3mm of remaining tread and over 60% higher on those with only 1mm.

In welcoming the results of the tests the TIC stressed how important it is that motorists check the tread depth on their tyres regularly as well as pay attention to other safety critical features of their tyres such as pressures and wheel alignment.

Bridgestone Motorsport has announced that it has entered into a multi-year agreement with the WilliamsF1 Team for the supply of Bridgestone Potenza Formula One tyres from 2006.

Bridgestone first supplied the WilliamsF1 Team with tyres in 1999 and 2000, during a period of single tyre supplier status, and is now pleased to welcome back the team within an environment of competitive tyre supply.

Hiroshi Yasukawa, Director of Bridgestone Motorsport commented: “It is with great pleasure that I can now confirm that Bridgestone Motorsport and the WilliamsF1 Team have entered into a tyre supply partnership, to commence after the end of the current season. WilliamsF1 is one of the most experienced and respected teams competing in the FIA Formula One World Championship and I would like to thank Sir Frank Williams for his faith in our technological capabilities.

“Since entering Formula One in 1997, Bridgestone Motorsport has supplied the winning Constructors’ and Drivers’ Champions no fewer than seven times and we now look forward to working closely with the WilliamsF1 Team to help them achieve their goals in the future,” he added.

Bridgestone has announced that it has succeeded with the practical application of its Support Ring run-flat system, the development of which has been ongoing since 2002. Based on technical collaboration with Continental and Yokohama, the support ring will be delivered to Toyota Motor Corporation for use in its new RAV4 for the European market.

The Bridgestone Support Ring run-flat system keeps a tyre functioning after loss of air pressure so that the car can continue driving safely for up to specified maximum speed for a specified distance. The support ring is made of a lightweight metal ring and rubber so as to provide flexible support to the tyre. In case of air loss, the core ring supports the vehicle, and fixes the tyre bead on the rim of the tyre.

The system is suited for passenger cars and SUVs that have high-profile tyres.

Continental Tyres has announced that its tyres have been selected for exclusive fitment to the Aygo, Toyota's new small compact car.

According to Continental, the choice of tyres underlines the importance of safety. "We are supplying 155/65 R 14 ContiEcoContact 3 tyres, not just for the Toyota Aygo, but also for the Peugeot 107" explained Richard Durance, Continental's Key Account Manager for Original Equipment. "And we are the sole supplier for both models."

The contract for the Toyota Aygo represents a significant milestone for Continental, because it is the company’s first high volume tyre supply contract with a Japanese manufacturer for a number of years.

Michelin has announced that it is launching its Alpin range of winter tyres in the UK this autumn and highlighting the safety benefits of fitting cold weather tyres. Currently 25% of motorists on the continent change from summer tyres to their cold weather variants in October as the temperature falls past 7¢ªC.

At this temperature the rubber in summer tyres starts to harden and lose performance. The rubber compound of the cold weather tyres remains supple, maintaining grip. Five times as many sipes - the small slits designed into the tread pattern - give optimum grip on wintry roads and braking distances on cold, wet roads can be reduced by 15%.

Contrary to popular belief wear rates are identical between summer and cold weather tyres. There will be no increase in tyre usage costs as each mile travelled on the cold weather tyre is a mile saved on the summer tyre.

Michelin Alpin cold weather tyres are particularly popular with motorists in Germany, Switzerland and Austria and differ from the Nordic variants needed for the long-term ice and snow conditions of Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Closer to the UK, car and van drivers in the Netherlands have accepted the principle and the market has grown rapidly.

Frank Tanke, Michelin¡¯s Cold Weather Tyre Project Manager says: ¡°When there is an ¡®R¡¯ in the month it¡¯s wise to be driving on cold weather tyres. Getting grip on cold, wet winter roads is essential for mobility and safety. Drivers on the continent have proved that the extra cost of a second set of tyres is negligible when spread over the life of the car. As British winters get harsher, motorists switching to cold weather tyres will enjoy better grip and improved braking performance.¡±

The Michelin Alpin cold weather tyre range is available for all popular family and performance cars, 4x4s and light vans from Michelin distributors throughout the UK.

In light of the fact that almost a quarter of all cars and vans on the roads in the UK have at least one illegal or badly worn tyre in need of replacement, the Tyre Industry Council has issued a recommendation that motorists undertake a simple 5 minute tyre check to ensure that their tyres are safe before they start journeys during the summer months:

1. Check and adjust if necessary, the tyre pressure in each tyre including the spare as recommended in the manufacturer's handbook.
2. Clean dirt from around valves and fit dust caps all round
3. Remove stones and other foreign object from the tread
4. Check that tyres have at least 1.6mm of tread across three quarters of the width of the tyre. The TIC recommends that motorists consider changing tyres when the tread falls below 3mm
5. Check for uneven tyre wear which might mean steering misalignment or out of balance wheels.
6. Check tyres for cuts and bulges which could render the tyre defective and potentially dangerous.
7. The TIC also recommends that if tyres need changing they should be replaced in two's - preferably on the rear - or all four.
   

The final three contestants of the Dunlop Race Academy 2 went head to head at Silverstone on Wednesday, August 24th as they attempted to win the ultimate prize of a chance to compete in the Dunlop Drivers Cup at Brands Hatch.

Chosen from over 8000 entrants, the final three were chosen from seven regional winners, who completed a full day of intensive driver coaching and evaluation, fitness and media tests on the Donington Grand Prix circuit.

Each driver received tuition and coaching from Le Mans driver Calum Lockie before being taken round the track in his 240BHP Porsche 968 Clubsport with Dunlop SP Super Sport race tyres.

The contestants were then taken through a driving assessment in a fully race prepared, 155BHP Ginetta G20 Cup Car with Dunlop Formula R tyres before their accuracy and precision was tested in a slalom challenge.

The three finalists were Alec Berry from County Durham, Simon Shaw from Warrington and Luke Debono-Wilson from Essex, who represented the North East, the North West and the South East respectively.

The cold weather tyres strategy group of the National Tyre Distributors Association has agreed upon a range of promotional activities to try to build the market for cold weather tyres in the UK.

Posters and leaflets explaining the benefits of cold weather tyres will be produced and circulated to members in the early autumn. These will be supported by a media campaign centring on local and trade press articles discussing the benefits of fitting cold weather tyres in the winter.

Commented director Richard Edy: "We have a difficult task to change the mind set of the British motoring public, however the potential is significant and the group felt that moves should be made this year to lay this foundation for a bigger campaign next year".

The founder of Kwik-Fit, Sir Tom Farmer CBE, has been named a recipient of The Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy 2005.

Named after Scots-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who left the equivalent of $15 billion to philanthropy, the Medal is awarded to inspiring philanthropists. The Award Ceremony will take place at the new home of Scotland’s Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland on 4 October, preceded by an international philanthropy symposium.

The announcement comes on the anniversary of Carnegie’s death on August 11, 1919.  The Scots American gave away the equivalent of nearly $15 billion dollars, establishing a family of foundations worldwide.

These foundations have been responsible for providing incalculable benefits such as 2,500 free libraries across the world, the Carnegie Hall in New York and the International Peace Palace in The Hague. Carnegie’s philanthropy funded JK Galbraith’s The Affluent Society and the discovery of insulin.  Even the children’s favourite, Sesame Street, was supported by Carnegie.

Today the Carnegie foundations support cutting edge scientific research into global ecology; millions of dollars of educational and social development projects in Africa; conflict resolution and democracy-building in the former USSR, China and the Middle East; and civil society and community development initiatives in Europe and North America.

Presented every two years to inspirational philanthropists and their families who have dedicated their private wealth to public good, previous recipients of the awards include the Gates, Rockefeller and Sainsbury families, media tycoon Ted Turner and financier George Soros.

Hankook has unveiled plans to compete at the highest levels in motorsport starting with the Wales Rally GB.

The Korean company, which has its UK headquarters in Daventry, has joined forces with Warwick-based Silverline Motorsport to offer a dedicated motorsport service for rallying and racing in the UK. To launch the new venture, Hankook Motorsports has entered three drivers into three different classes in the British round of the World Rally Championship.

These include 2004 British Rally Championship Production Cup winner Dorian Rees from Llanybydder with Welsh co-driver Wynn Thomas as well as Andy Gwynne and Holly Robinson from Cheltenham.

The identity of the third Hankook-backed driver is due to be announced shortly.

The Bridgestone Turanza ER300 has been praised for its dry handling ability in the biggest tyre test ever carried out by a UK consumer motoring magazine.

More than 20 makes of tyre were tested in the Auto Express annual test, with experts assessing the rubber in a variety of disciplines including wet handling, rolling resistance, and dry handling – where the Turanza ER300 scored an almost perfect 99.9 per cent.

“We are delighted with the results of this test,” said Andy Lane, consumer marketing manager at Bridgestone UK.  “The Auto Express test is very comprehensive and well-respected, so to be given such a high rating is pleasing.”

Brad Pitt may be most women’s dream date, but he’s not the person they’d most want to change their flat tyre according to a new survey. Almost half of UK women said they would prefer George Clooney to handle their spare tyre if they suffered a blow-out on the road.

Meanwhile, a third of men taking part in the survey said Angelina Jolie would be the mechanic loosening their wheel nuts – while one in five would love to see Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar up to her eyes in black rubber.

The survey forms part of the new Think Before You Drive campaign from Bridgestone, in association with the RAC Foundation and FiA Foundation, aimed at encouraging people across the UK to think about their tyres and be safer on our roads.

The survey also revealed how:

• More than half of UK motorists have not checked their tyre pressure in the last month
• One in five people never check the tread depth of their tyres
• 40% of motorists don’t know what the legal tread depth limit is
• 8 out of 10 people didn’t know that the penalty for driving on a tyre below the legal tread depth is 3 penalty points plus a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre
• Only half of UK motorists know what pressure their tyres should be inflated to

Launched by Michael Schumacher at the British Grand Prix, the Think Before You Drive campaign urges all motorists to think about their tyres before getting back into their cars.

John McNaught, Managing Director of Bridgestone UK, said the campaign would hopefully remind people just how important tyre safety is. “We all tend to take our tyres for granted, but they’re the only point of contact between our cars and the roads,” he said. “Driving on an under-inflated tyre, or one with a tread that’s worn too far down, can mean you lose control in the most normal of circumstances.”

Six per cent of all fatal motorway accidents are caused by the sudden failure of under-inflated tyres and a recent study by the Tyre Industry Council revealed that a staggering 90 per cent of all tyres tested had under or over-inflated tyres – despite correct pressures being vital to safe handling, steering, braking and grip.

Alan Shearer has kicked off Continental’s latest football sponsorship campaign:  Already an Official Partner of the FIFA World Cup 2006, Continental is now also supporting grass roots level football, with the creation of the ContiNetwork League.

The Newcastle United and ex-England star has invited ContiNetwork Partners across the country to nominate local youth football teams for sponsorship and to compete for tickets to the FIFA World Cup in Germany next year.

The ContiNetwork League will be a ‘virtual league’ made up of FA affiliated teams who will have been put forward by each of the 53 ContiNetwork Partners. The teams will not play each other; league positions will be determined by the average points per game the teams achieve over the 2005-6 season in their respective FA leagues. 

Each successfully nominated team will receive a sponsorship package which will include a full squad kit for the 2005-2006 season, a pack of merchandise including kitbags and balls and the chance to compete for FIFA World Cup 2006 tickets as well as continued kit sponsorship for the 2006-7 season. 

Come the end of the season, the ContiNetwork League winners will receive four tickets to the opening round of the FIFA World Cup Finals in Germany, plus kit; the runners up will win two World Cup tickets plus kit; and the third placed team will receive kit for the following season.

Taiwanese tyre manufacturer Federal Tire has announced it is to launch the Federal Motorsport series of tyres, which is made up of the 595 Competition Series and FZ Combat Series.  According to the company, the Federal Motorsport series is the result of years of R &D by Federal Technology Centre. 

The 595 Competition Series consists of the 595 Drift, 595EVO for street competition, and the 595RS for sport competition.

In addition, the company says it will also unveil its new Couragia M/T all terrain tyre and the Milanza HZ-I, a brand new ultra-high performance tyre under the Hero brand name. 

Three Pirelli-equipped drivers finished in the top five at the end of the all-gravel Rally Argentina, round nine of the World Championship. The Peugeot-Pirelli of Marcus Gronholm finished second, ahead of the Subaru-Pirelli of Petter Solberg. Harri Rovanpera was fifth in his Pirelli-equipped Mitsubishi.

Gronholm was on exceptional form throughout the event to string together a series of fastest stage times during leg two to take second place overall from Solberg. Both Gronholm and Solberg led the event, but victory eventually went to Sebastien Loeb - whose talent allowed him to take a record-breaking sixth consecutive win.

Argentina was also the fifth round of the Production Car World Rally Championship, which was won by the Pirelli-equipped Group N Subaru of Nasser al-Attiyah. The Subaru of Mark Higgins finished second, ahead of the Mitsubishi of Federico Villagra - all running on Pirelli tyres.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI, which fits Formula One-derived Bridgestone Potenza tyres, has been voted the ‘Greatest Drive’ of 2005 by Britain’s best-selling weekly motor magazine, Auto Express. 

“This is excellent news,” said Andy Lane, consumer marketing manager at Bridgestone UK.  “The Golf GTI is an exciting, top-of-the-range car that requires the very best in grip and control, and this is just another example of how the UK’s top cars can perform at their best on Bridgestone rubber.” 

The driveability of the Golf is perfectly matched by its Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tyres. Offering excellent sporting capability in all conditions, the RE050’s asymmetric tread pattern delivers enhanced wet performance and low noise levels for the Golf, while its stiff pattern blocks maximise handling.  The fun and stylish looks of the car are also complemented by the sporty and attractive design of the Potenzas.

“We have a history of original equipment fitments on award-winning cars, and it’s great to know that the top car is fitted Potenza tyres,” added Andy Lane.  “The technology incorporated in these tyres is the same technology developed for the tyres on the World Championship-winning Formula One car, so they are the perfect choice for any driver demanding the highest levels of performance from their car.”

Michelin has announced its disappointment about the way the recent United States Grand Prix turned out at Indianapolis for the public, the drivers and the teams.

In a statement from their PR department Michelin said that it was sorry that the tyres it ran in free practice and qualifying were not suitable for use in racing conditions in the Grand Prix at Indianapolis, but that driver safety is always a priority.

Michelin also expressed regret that their pre-race suggestions, agreed in conjunction with their partner teams were not adopted.  If their ideas had been followed, said Michelin, they could have guaranteed driver safety, the participation of their teams and added interest for the public. In the meantime, Michelin said they will continue to investigate the technical reasons for the tyre-related incidents that affect the Toyota team during the free practice session.

With around 750,000 run-flat tyres already fitted to cars on UK roads, anyone who thinks the technology is not here to stay is in for a rude awakening according to Bridgestone, the world’s largest tyre and rubber manufacturer.

Bridgestone’s run-flat tyres are the standard or optional original equipment fitting on many top car brands including BMW, Ferrari, Maserati, Lexus, Mercedes Benz and Porsche. And Andy Lane, marketing manager at Bridgestone UK, says the market is getting bigger every day.

“We are already working with mass market manufacturers on incorporating run-flat technology into their vehicles, and the rapid increase in the number on the roads will have a huge impact on the UK tyre trade,” he said.

While offering drivers added convenience in not having to change a tyre at the roadside, and while also allowing car manufacturers a new freedom in design due to removing the need for a spare, the safety benefits of RFT tyres are also numerous.

“If a vehicle in motion suffers a rapid loss of tyre pressure, RFT enables the driver to maintain control and possibly avoid a potentially fatal situation,” said Andy. “Secondly, RFT tyres enable the driver to leave the risk area, continue the journey, and avoid the dangers of jacking up the vehicle on the roadside.”

And while there have been some reports of a slight loss of ride-comfort, a lack of availability, or a general mistrust of the technology within the tyre trade, Andy Lane said RFT tyres are undoubtedly the future of the tyre market.

“It is important to remember that run-flat is a new, evolving technology,” he said. “At this moment in time, we know that there is yet to be developed a run-flat tyre which offers exactly the same level of comfort as a standard tyre. But we are continually and rapidly closing the gap on any differences in performance.”

A punishing Commando adventure in Devon was the test for some of the UK’s fittest men and women recently, as they battled it out for a place in the UK team for the 2006 Fulda Challenge, one of the toughest extreme sports events in the world. The event, which takes place in the Yukon Territory of Canada early next year, includes skiing, mountain biking, ice climbing, car pulling and 4x4 driving - all in temperatures as low as -50ºc.

For the second year running, Fulda teamed up with the Royal Marine Commandos and used their expertise in the selection procedure. The qualifying event took place at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone, Devon and attracted competitors from across the UK with backgrounds ranging from adventure racing and outdoor pursuits to ski instruction.

Qualifying for the mens event were Martin Yardley of Devon, Mark Cryssanthou of Yorkshire, Paul Norris of Lancashire, Byron Lewis of Devon and Chris McSweeney from the Midlands. Qualifiers in the womens competition were Kate Balchin of Surrey, Karen McDonald of Derbyshire, Louise Brown of Cheshire, Brigid McMahon of Aberdeenshire and Susannah Madge from East Sussex.

Pirelli has announced its presence as Original Equipment on all the new Alfa 159 range with the Ultra High Performance tyres P Zero Nero in 18'' and P Zero Rosso in 17'' and with the High Performance tyres P7 in16''.

P Zero Nero ultra-low profile tyres, derived from Pirelli's experience in motor racing, have been developed for coping with high engine power and with the sophisticated set up of cars with large diameter rims.

The tyres are characterised by a special structure produced with thermally stable materials and with a tread compound in which the interaction between polymers, silicas and resins produces particular adhesive characteristics at high temperature in the dry and low temperature in the wet. These benefits combined with a flat tread pattern profile ensure an even distribution of the footprint and a better stability at high speeds as well as excellent grip and resistance to aquaplaning.

Michelin has announced that from 2006, the company will pursue its technological and sporting involvement in the World Rally Championship with its BFGoodrich Tires brand.

The decision strengthens BFGoodrich’s current racing involvement in the Rally Raid World Cup, the Dakar Rally and a number of Northern-American competitions such as the Score Baja 1000.

Meanwhile, Michelin say that they and Ford intend to continue their partnership in the World Rally Championship for the foreseeable future.

Bridgestone has scooped a prestigious tyre industry award for its development of run-flat technology. The company’s newest generation run-flat tyre, the Potenza RE050 RFT, helped it win the Product Innovation category in the inaugural Tyre and Fast Fit (TAFF) awards distributed by the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA).

“It’s a tremendous honour to win this award,” said John McNaught, managing director at Bridgestone UK, “and it demonstrates how we are leading the way in the development of this breakthrough technology. 

“An increasing number of high-performance and executive-class cars are fitting run-flat tyres as standard, and we are now seeing the technology on high-volume cars such as the Vauxhall Astra and the BMW 1-Series – both of which fit the Bridgestone Potenza RE050 RFT.

“We believe that run-flat tyres will soon become a standard fitment on most cars sold in the UK, and we are continuously working to further develop the technology, and, together with the leading car manufacturers, make the extensive benefits of run-flat tyres available to all motorists.”

Continental has announced that is to supply its ContiCrossContact UHP and Conti4x4SportContact tyres to Land Rover as Original Equipment (OE) for its new high performance model – the Range Rover Sport.

The Range Rover Sport - which goes on sale in June - is designed with the aim of being the best performing, best-handling vehicle that Land Rover has ever produced, thereby ensuring that the Midlands-based manufacturer will be able to compete in one of the fastest growing sectors of the market.

The Range Rover Sport will be equipped with either ContiCrossContactUHP or Conti4x4SportContact tyres depending upon vehicle specification and wheel rim size.”

Continental Tyres has donated a once in a lifetime prize to Radio 1’s Comic Relief Rally fundraiser by offering a footballing masterclass with its Brand Ambassador Alan Shearer to one lucky Radio 1 listener and three friends.

Broadcast during the Chris Moyles Show – the UK’s second most popular breakfast show - the competition helped to raise over £50,000 towards a grand total of £600,000. The Rally itself involved Chris Moyles and members of the breakfast team driving a series of iconic cars from John O’ Groats in Scotland to Lands End in Cornwall. Vehicles driven throughout the rally included the A-Team Van, K.I.T.T. from the Knight Rider series and the 1969 Dodge Charger used in the Dukes of Hazzard. 

Guy Frobisher, Marketing Director, Continental Tyres, said: “We are delighted to have been in a position to offer Chris Moyles and his 7 million listeners a great prize that helped to raise valuable funds. The money generated by people’s text entries and Continental’s generous donation of  £1,000 will go towards worthy causes in the UK and overseas.”

The International Federation of PGA Tours has announced that Bridgestone has become an Official Sponsor of the World Golf Championships for 2005. As well as being a major tyre manufacturer, Bridgestone is also a worldwide leader in manufacturing and marketing premium golf equipment including balls, clubs and accessories. 

The next World Golf Championships event is the NEC Invitational, August 16-21 at Firestone CC in Akron, Ohio, followed by the American Express Championship at San Francisco's Harding Park Golf Course, October 4-9 and the Algarve World Cup in Portugal, November 15-20 at the Victoria Clube de Golfe-Vilamoura, in the Algarve region of Portugal.

Continental has provided tyres for the new Ford Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) prototype  recently unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.

Combining sporty looks with ‘real world’ versatility the SAV has been defined as new breed of car for people who value load-carrying flexibility. Its one-box design is unashamedly utility orientated and places the SAV’s appeal somewhere between a sports estate and a compact MPV.

Detailing on the show car was inspired by modern sportswear, with an orange ‘racing stripe’ theme featuring throughout, including orange piping on the sidewalls of the 21-inch, low profile performance Continental tyres.

At the show, Continental also unveiled their latest tyre, the ContiPremiumContact 2. This brand new tyre features an innovative 3D groove, which drastically reduces braking distances in both dry and wet weather and improves the car’s manoeuvrability.

Continental Tyres has scored a double first, winning two individual categories of the inaugural TAFF (Tyre and Fast Fit) Awards organised by the National Tyre Distributors Association.

Not only did voting from the retail trade confirm Continental as the "Best tyre Brand" for 2005 in the awards, but the Company's World Cup-themed advertising campaign hit the target, winning the Best Advertising Campaign category.

It's not the first time that Continental has been voted the trade's favourite brand, scooping the Tyre news Industry Awards Brand of the Year, forerunner of the TAFF Awards, a record three times.

From June 2 – 5, 2005 the Automobile Club d’Auvergne - with the support of Michelin and SATCAR - will revive the spirit of the Gordon Bennett cup 1905, the ancestor of today’s Grand Prix and Formula One races.

No less than 150 vintage racing and luxury cars built at the turn of the century in some 11 countries are expected in Clermont-Ferrand to celebrate the centenary of the Gordon Bennett Cup in what will be an outstanding international event.

Participants are expected from Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France, Switzerland, Mexico and United States to cover the same course as a century ago ─ a 140 kilometer (90 mile) track at the foot of Puy-de-Dôme at the heart of the Auvergne volcano park.

The impressive line up of dream cars will include in particular five vintage cars that actually took part in the Gordon Bennett Cup: two Napier Gordon Bennett (1903), a Mercedes 60 HP 2- Seater  (1903), which entered history when Jenatzy won the Gordon Bennett Cup in 1903 in Ireland, a Pope Toledo Gordon Bennett (1905) and a Panhard Levassor Z40 (1905) which will run for the first time since it was restored.

The Léon Bollée “tandem seater” of 1897, a tricycle fitted with an engine, will be the oldest vehicle of the race and can be said to be a forerunner of the automobile.

To pay tribute to the car that won the race in 1905, Michelin specially restored one of the only two Richard Brasiers left in existence, and registered it in the centenary race. It will sport the same blue it wore in period where, under the race’s regulation, the vehicle’s colour matched a country code: black for Italy, green for the UK, red for the United States, yellow for Belgium, white for Germany and blue for France.

Bridgestone Corporation has announced that it has earned a Supplier of the Year award from General Motors Corporation for the tenth year in a row. The award is for excellence in tyres and related service provided to General Motors globally in 2004 by Tokyo-based Bridgestone Corporation and by its subsidiaries, including Nashville, Tennessee-based Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., and Brussels-based Bridgestone Europe NV/SA. Bridgestone Corporation vice president and senior officer Tatsuya Okajima accepted the award on behalf of the Bridgestone Group at an April 23 ceremony at the General Motors Vehicle Engineering Center in Warren, Michigan.

The GM Supplier of the Year award began as a global programme in 1992. Selecting the award winners is a global team of executives from purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, and logistics. The team evaluates award candidates on the basis of performance in quality, service, technology, and price. This year it selected only 78 winners including the Bridgestone Group from among some 3,500 GM suppliers worldwide.

Pirelli Tyres have announced that they have received Ford's Gold World Excellence Award for its superior performance in 2004.

The World Excellence Awards provide annual recognition for suppliers based on quality, cost and delivery performance. Fifty-two suppliers from 21 countries won awards in various categories, but just 17 suppliers received the 'Gold' award.

According to tyre manufacturer Fulda, there is still time to apply to be part of the 2006 Fulda Challenge team.

Over the last six months, organisers have received application forms from hundreds of entrants. Many of these have been from winter sports enthusiasts or adventure racers who want to be selected for the ultimate Arctic adventure. Canada’s northern frontier - the Yukon Territory - will once again be the scene for the demanding endurance event in 2006.

Marcus White, Brand Manager for Fulda UK said: “The standard of applicants this year has definitely improved. We already have a great mix of people to choose from. However, there are still a few days for people who would like to be considered and submit an application and stand a chance of representing the UK.”

Short-listed applicants (ten men and ten women) will be invited to compete in the UK selection event over the weekend of 18-19 June 2005. Fully trained PT Instructors will put the hopefuls through their paces at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines at Lympstone in Devon. With full use of the centre’s excellent training facilities, rock climbing, mountain biking, cross-country running and rope crossing are just some of the events that will feature on the demanding two-day itinerary.

Up to five men and five women will then be selected to compete in the European elimination event, which takes place in Sulden, Italy between 29 September and 2 October 2005. Here the UK team will be chosen to compete in the Fulda Tyres Challenge, which takes place in late January/early February 2006.

For more information or an application form, contact Anita Patchett or Beth Robinson via email at fulda-challenge@rbplimited.co.uk.

Continental has announced the introduction of its new ContiPremiumContact 2 summer tyre. Specifically developed for medium range and luxury cars, the new tyre aims to set new standards in braking on wet and dry roads, thanks to its exceptional tread pattern design.

The tyre’s distinctive feature is a 3D groove, which has shallow and steep sides to ensure high tread block stability, even in critical driving situations such as making sharp manoeuvres.

"The steep flank of the tread groove functions much like a windscreen wiper, penetrating the film of water and thereby ensuring that direct contact between the tyre and the road is maintained" explains Dr. Frank Walloch, developer of the new summer tyre designed for cars in the medium range segment and above. AThis reduces braking distances on wet roads. The shallow side of the tread groove stiffens the tread pattern, thereby shortening braking distances on dry roads.@ Thanks to the sturdy tread lugs, there is always a very large contact area between the tyre and the road. A sturdy, circumferential rib on the tyre outer shoulder also helps to keep braking distances short on dry roads.

A further benefit of the 3D groove is the accelerated water dispersion from the ground contact patch. The interaction between the steep and shallow sides creates a swirl effect in the grooves, which accelerates water dispersion. The wide longitudinal grooves in the tread pattern pick up the water quickly, thereby ensuring good tread grip in the centre of the tyre. The combination of longitudinal and lateral grooves means that aquaplaning occurs later than usual, an additional bonus in terms of safety.

The asymmetrical tread pattern enabled the tyre developers to further improve both handling and comfort. The sturdy tread lugs found on the outer side of the tyre increase lateral guidance. They make the design more rigid and transmit steering commands quickly and precisely. The inner side of the tyre now features more tread blocks: "This design allowed us to achieve low rolling noise and thus high driving comfort" explains Dr. Frank Walloch.

Further improvements to the tread contour have made the ground contact patch more harmonious with even pressure distribution. The flat belt contour below the tread reduces the slip, which occurs both when driving on the straight and cornering; meaning improvements in mileage performance. In addition the use of a new compound processing method, combined with a new type of silica and the integration of active carbon blacks, has made the tread stiffer, further enhancing mileage performance.

The Italian team have triumphed in the 2005 Fulda Challenge, after battling for points on the final day of the event

The team of Werner Haller and Judith Lanthaler of Italy. were presented with a prize of two Klondike gold nuggets (one each) at an awards evening in Dawson City - held at Diamond Tooth Gerthies (the northern-most casino in the world).

In the individual competition, Tamara Goppel of Canada had the most points of any female athlete and received 1,500 euros. Judith Lanthaler of Italy was second, winning 1,000 euros, and third place finisher Anita Krenn of Austria won 500 euros.

A successful week for Werner Haller finished with the Italian having accumulated the most points overall in the men’s competition. He walked away with 1,500 euros to add to his gold nugget; Thomas Tetz of Canada finished second and Pieter Groen of the Netherlands was third.

Following a car accident, earlier in the competition, the UK team was forced to withdraw from the 2005 challenge.

The 2005 MotoGP World Championship has exploded into action with arch-rivals Valentino Rossi (Gauloises Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin) and Sete Gibernau (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V-Michelin) fighting an enthralling duel all the way to the last corner at Jerez. Rossi’s winning ride destroyed the track’s two-year-old lap and race records by 2.192 seconds and 67.189 seconds respectively, also maintaining Michelin’s unbeaten Jerez record, which began back in 1987. Michelin riders monopolised the podium and filled eight of the top nine finishing positions, while the first non- Michelin rider was 27.659 seconds down at the flag.

Rossi’s season-opening victory reflects Michelin’s ongoing success in other motorsport disciplines, with Sébastien Loeb (Citroën-Xsara WRC-Michelin) taking victory in the recent New Zealand WRC event, Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella (Mild Seven Renault F1-Michelin) in the 2005 F1 series and Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda-Michelin) winning the first three races of the British Superbike championship.

Kumho's ECSTA V70A has been voted best tyre in a test of road-legal track day tyres by German motoring magazine Auto Bild.

Beating off the challenge from similar products from Michelin, Toyo, Yokohama and Pirelli, the V70A was given top marks for its uncompromising sports-orientated performance. The Auto Bild testers praised the tyre for its excellent lateral and directional stability as well as its dry braking ability.

Commenting on Kumho's success, European motorsport manager Steve Thompson said: "The V70A is one of the most versatile tyres in our range and can be used for anything from tarmac rallying to hill climbing. This win proves what we have been saying for some time: the V70A is the ideal tyre for the serious track day enthusiast."

Pirelli has won the Rally Sweden, round two of the World Rally Championship and the only full snow event of the year, with Subaru driver Petter Solberg taking his 11th career victory. The Pirelli-equipped Peugeot of Markko Martin was second, contributing to a total of six Pirelli runners in the top 10. Throughout the three-day event, Pirelli set fastest stage times with five drivers and all three of their teams: Subaru, Peugeot and Mitsubishi.
The weather in Sweden this year was warmer than average, making many of the normally snowy stages rough and gravelly. Drivers had a choice of short, intermediate or long studs for their Pirelli P Zero J1 snow tyres, but the 'dirty' stages meant that the majority of drivers chose short studs for most of the event. These offered consistent levels of grip and little or no stud loss, thanks to Pirelli's unique patented manufacturing process where studs are inserted into the tyre during production rather than by hand afterwards.

Solberg fought a tense battle for the lead with Peugeot driver Marcus Gronholm from the very beginning of the event. The pair traded tenths of a second, but the battle was decided in Solberg's favour when Gronholm crashed on the final day. In total, Pirelli won 16 stages out of 20, underlining the capabilities of the P Zero range in these challenging conditions. The Pirelli-equipped Subaru of Toshi Arai also won the Production Car class for Group N machinery.

Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian has introduced a new ultra-high performance tyre that combines excellent wet grip, precise controllability and clean rubber compounds.
The new Nokian Z tyre is entirely manufactured without harmful high-aromatic oils and focuses on two core performance characteristics - safety under extreme conditions and environmental friendliness.

Nokian Z is a high-performance tyre for Nordic and European countries. The tyre’s properties and driving qualities are designed for demanding driving, and are achieved using a novel tread solution. The full silica Nokian Z tread is made of five different rubber compounds. The centre rib compound ensures accurate steering and makes the tyre easy to handle. Thanks to the new tread compound, the central area of wide tyres wears evenly.

The tyre’s shoulders are crucial to the grip. When braking or cornering, the contact pressure on the tyre is greater around the shoulders than in the centre. To enhance the braking and cornering grip, the shoulder area of the Nokian Z features a rubber compound with excellent wet grip; its composition ensures safety under extreme conditions.

Meanwhil, the narrow wing zone in the outer edge of the shoulders provides excellent resistance to the strong deformations that cornering and springing motion cause in the area between the tread and sidewall.

A compound layer that reduces rolling resistance, reduces heat emission, and reinforces the tyre structure has been inserted over the steel belt package under the tread compound. The fifth compound deepest down attaches to the steel belt package. The task of this adhesive compound is to improve the structural durability of the tyre.

Nokian Z is also the world’s first W-speed rated tyre that is entirely manufactured without harmful high-aromatic oils. Purified, low-aromatic oils (also known as non-labelled oils) replaced HA oils in all of Nokian Tyres’ production at the end of 2004.

Thanks to high-quality rubber compounds and low heat emission, the Nokian Z wears evenly and maintains its good properties throughout its useful life. It is claimed to be exceptionally durable in its own product category.

The tyre features precise steering and rolls easily thanks to a rolling resistance lower than that of corresponding products. The new acoustically optimised tread pattern and the noise cavities in the bottom of the grooves also dampen tyre noise, with both the drive-by and inside noise falling clearly below EU’s new tyre noise limits.

Nokian Z tyres will become available to consumers in the spring of 2005.

Initial results from the North West England Tyre Safety Campaign held in October has shown a substantial reduction in the number of danger tyres on vehicles on the roads. The number of tyres below the legal minimum of 1.6 mm identified in a series of police checks and tyre safety clinics, fell by just over 4% compared with the previous year's campaign.

The month long campaign was supported by four police forces, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside with the Tyre Industry Council - Britain's foremost tyre safety body - arranging tyre safety clinics at major supermarkets in the north west as well as providing tyre experts at roadside police checks.

The number of defective tyres, identified in checks by Cheshire and Lancashire Police, now stands at 12.2% compared with 16.6% in 2003 - the national average for illegal tyres is around 11%. The data analysis also revealed that a further 14% of cars and vans checked had at least one tyre at or below 2mm, whilst not illegal, according to the TIC should be replaced for safety reasons.

Michelin has announced the introduction of a new non-pneumatic technology. The Tweel is an integrated tyre and wheel combination that does not use air, making it impossible to go flat. The new product is currently being used in a variety of specialist applications but the technology is eventually expected to be applied to passenger cars.

An example of the type of application currently being used is as an enhancement for future iBOT mobility systems. The iBOT device has the ability to climb stairs and navigate uneven terrain, offering mobility freedom impossible with traditional wheelchairs. 

However, the most interesting application may be Michelin’s early prototype fitment for passenger cars and with this in mind the company has released a video of promising wheel performance on an Audi A4.

The heart of Tweel innovation is its deceptively simple looking hub and spoke design that replaces the need for air pressure while delivering performance previously only available from pneumatic tyres.  The flexible spokes are fused with a flexible wheel that deforms to absorb shocks and rebounds with ease. Without the air needed by convention tyres, Tweel still delivers pneumatic performance in weight-carrying capacity, ride comfort and the ability of being impervious to nails on the road. 

Tweel performance can be tuned independently of each other, which is a significant change from conventional tyres. This means that vertical stiffness ( which primarily affects ride comfort ) and lateral stiffness ( which affects handling and cornering) can both be optimized, enabling new performance levels not possible for with normal pneumatic tyres.  The Tweel prototype, demonstrated on the Audi 4, is within 5% of the rolling resistance and mass levels of current pneumatic tyres. That translates to within 1% of the fuel economy of the OE fitment.  Additionally, Michelin has increased the lateral stiffness by factor of five, making the prototype unusually responsive in its handling.

The tread will last two to three times as long as today’s radial tyres, Michelin say, and when it does wear thin, it can be retreaded.

Bridgestone Corporation has contributed ¥100 million to support relief efforts in nations affected by the December 26 Indian Ocean tsunami. The company made the donation on behalf of the Bridgestone Group through the Japan Red Cross, and Bridgestone has instructed that organisation to allocate the funds at its discretion. In addition, Bridgestone subsidiaries in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India will make separate contributions to local relief efforts.

Bridgestone, the official tyre partner to Ferrari, Jordan Grand Prix and Minardi F1 has announced a pan-European search for talented young journalists – Bridgestone e-reporter.

Announced to coincide with the inaugural GP2 Championship, the Bridgestone and Renault-backed one-make Formula that has pledged to nurture the next generation of motorsport talent; Bridgestone e-reporter is offering a chance of a lifetime to students hoping to pursue a career in journalism.

Now in its second year, the initiative will dramatically increase the prizes on offer for 2005. Seven finalists will be invited to attend a European Grand Prix to report on the GP2 series, meeting the drivers and personalities behind the Championship, and sample the exclusive Formula One Paddock and witness the international media in action.  The articles will be published on the Bridgestone Europe and GP2 websites.

The overall winner will then win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tokyo, Japan.  Here they will have the chance to visit Bridgestone’s global headquarters and report on a major Bridgestone event. To ensure the lucky winner has all the tools required to continue with their newfound career in journalism, they will also be presented with a state-of-the-art laptop computer.

Entries can be submitted online via a dedicated competition website and will be judged by a panel of internationally respected motorsport media and F1 representatives headed up by ITV’s Formula One Studio Analyst Tony Jardine.

Bridgestone e-reporter is open to all students aged 18-30 studying full time in Europe at a high school, college or university.  For more information about the competition and to enter, log on to www.bridgestone-eu.com/e-reporter.  The closing date for entries is 1200 GMT on Monday 14 March 2005.

A series of roadside tyre checks arranged by Derbyshire Constabulary supported by the Tyre Industry Council has revealed a 4% rise to 14% in the number of vehicles with defective tyres on the roads of Derbyshire.

In similar checks in 2003 a slightly below average of 10% of vehicles checked had at least one tyre at or below the 1.6mm legal requirement - in 2004 the figure rose to just over 14% - the national average is 12%.  The number of vehicles with badly worn tyres also rose dramatically from 8.7% in 2003 to 15.8%.

According to the TIC this means that almost 30% of cars and vans on Derbyshire's roads have at least one tyre that should be replaced for safety reasons.

Semperit has announced the introduction of the new Comfort-Life S/T tyre for sub-supermini, supermini and compact family cars. Comfort-Life, which will replace the popular Sport-Life and Top-Life 2 lines, boasts performance improvements in the key areas of safety, comfort and running costs.  

The broad circumferential grooves in the tread pattern, allow for efficient intake and dispersal of water and thus excellent resistance to aquaplaning, both longitudinal and latitudinal. Both dry and wet braking have been improved, the latter by a significant 5%. This is brought about by the numerous block edges ensuring a firm grip with the road surface, as well as by the flat contour, which provides a large ground contact patch. A 'two-tier' sipe concept provides extra stiffness in the grooves, contributing both to improved handling and braking.

Meanwhile, unique ellipsoidal tread blocks provide a uniform contact between the tyre and the road surface. This has led to a reduction in noise levels of ca. 2%.

In addition, the flat contour of the tyre, together with the low-friction compound, have enabled engineers to reduce rolling resistance by 3%. Wear has also decreased, improving the tyre service life by 3%, and thereby further reducing running costs. 

 Designed for the sub-supermini to compact classes, dominated by models such as the Ford Ka, Peugeot 206 and VW Golf, the Comfort-Life is available initially in 28 sizes, from 135/80 R 13 to 175/55 R 15

Bridgestone has announced that it has begun using computer technology for simulating tyre performance on nearly any kind of road surface. The new technology, called Comprehensive Road Surroundings Simulation (CROSS), promises to raise efficiency in developing optimal tread patterns. It allows for simulating tyre behaviour on unpaved roads and even off the road and in sunny, rainy, and snowy conditions.

CROSS incorporates a breakthrough in analysing terra-mechanics, which is the behaviour of soil under loads. Bridgestone uses a supercomputer to predict the movement and response of soil as it is compacted under a rolling tyre. That will streamline work in optimising tread patterns on tyres for four-wheel-drive vehicles, earthmoving equipment, agricultural machinery, all-terrain vehicles, and other vehicles that operate on unpaved surfaces.

Off-the-road settings present a vast range of surfaces for vehicles to negotiate, from hard stone in mine pits to soft mud in farm fields. Tyre manufacturers have needed to rely on repeated field testing to evaluate the performance of different tread patterns on those surfaces. The new simulation technology of CROSS greatly reduces the amount of field testing required in tyre development, and it also lets engineers simulate a greater range of surfaces than would be available for field testing.

New research commissioned by Dunlop Tyres has revealed that British motorists are using animal instincts to cope with today’s congested urban highways. Five distinct categories of driver can be spotted – elephants, gorillas, panthers, gazelles and peacocks.

The study was carried out by, Dr David Lewis, the psychologist who first coined the phrase “Road Rage” and has been studying driver behaviour on Britain’s roads for more than two decades.
Research revealed that six out of ten motorists can be likened to elephants. Like the elephant, these drivers refuse to be intimidated by the motorists who share their jungle tarmac. These chilled-out creatures are in control of the road and have learned to put comfort and security first.

Meanwhile, gorillas make up almost a third of motorists and see themselves as heavyweight beasts of the motoring jungle. Their approach to driving is one of aggressive confidence, using their metal muscle to push through obstructions. Gorillas are most likely to be younger motorists aged between 18 and 24.

Dr Lewis said: “With many roads becoming more and more like a jungle, it seems that drivers are feeling obliged to adopt animal like traits in order to survive. Just as in the wild, some beasts depend on their speed, their strength or their wits to stay ahead of the game, so Britain’s motorists are reverting to one or more of these highly successful natural strategies.

“There are of course, some drivers who display the worst characteristic of several categories. Take white van man for example, he dominates the road like a gorilla and weaves through traffic like the gazelle in an attempt to make his journey as speedy as possible, like the panther.”

Only 4% of drivers fall into the panther category. This slick and speedy animal carves up traffic to reach its destination as quickly as possible and loves driving fast on open roads.
The peacock is one of the rarest driving categories and uses the road to display wealth, beauty and good taste in cars. Often seen in luxury limos or classic cars, these show-offs make up just 2% of UK drivers but researchers believe we are all secret peacocks at heart and aspire to be admired in our cars but refuse to admit it!

Lastly, the gazelle represents 3% of British motorists as they weave through traffic using wit and quick reflexes.
To discover your animal alter-ego visit www.driversknow.co.uk  and click on Driving Animals.

At Challenge Bibendum, Michelin’s global roadshow for sustainable mobility vehicles held in Shanghai in October, Michelin demonstrated that its talents lie beyond the boundaries of tyre manufacturing by revealing two advanced prototype vehicles, the HY-LIGHT and the CONCEPT.

Weighing just 850kg yet capable of carrying four adults, the zero emissions HY-LIGHT is powered by a 30kW fuel cell developed in partnership with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). Acceleration to 62mph takes just 12 seconds, top speed is 80mph and the range, 250 miles. Tractive power comes from Michelin’s Active Wheel concept first revealed at the Paris Motor Show on September 25th. Each Active Wheel combines an active suspension system, disc brake, and a powerful, 40bhp permanent magnet electric motor in one compact unit. Two are fitted to the front of the HY-LIGHT, delivering lively and responsive performance.

Pierre Varenne, Deputy Director of Michelin Prospective Research, said of the achievement, “Michelin has a major role to play in the field of sustainable mobility. We want to understand what will be required to in 10 to 15 years when raw materials and energy sources will be very different to those we are familiar with today. Michelin wants to demonstrate that it is an industrial group which can control different technologies, not just in theory, but in reality.”

When the new 1 Series went on UK sale in October, BMW reaffirmed its stance on the fitment of run-flat tyres to volume-selling vehicles by selecting Continental’s Self Supporting Runflat Tyres (SSR) as Original Equipment (OE), a decision which was made following eight years of intensive product testing by BMW and involved investigations into the various alternative solutions to the run-flat conundrum.

Commenting on Continental’s involvement, Key Account Manager for (OE) business, Richard Durance said: “Throughout the product testing we were committed to developing a product that performed at least as well as traditional pneumatic tyres. In the ContiPremiumContact SSR we have succeeded. Braking, cornering and even rolling resistance in both wet and dry conditions are as good as a conventional tyre.”

The advantages of Continental’s SSR technology are numerous but key to its adoption by BMW was its ability to be applied universally. No special wheel rims or unique fitting equipment is required, avoiding problems in the aftermarket.

Run-flat tyres are also standard fitment on BMW’s 5 series, 6 Series, Z4 roadster and MINI and Continental’s SSR technology is scheduled to appear on the forthcoming 3 Series, which goes on sale early in 2005.

With only just over one month to go until the 2005 Fulda Challenge begins, organisers of the annual extreme arctic adventure are now accepting applications for the 2006 event.

One of the world’s toughest sports endurance competitions, the Fulda Challenge, takes place early each year, in the Yukon Territory of Canada. The icy wilderness sets the scene for a week of demanding activities designed to test the human qualities of stamina, skill and determination to the limit.

The 2005 UK team, comprising of Marketing Manager Emmie Gribble and Offshore Engineer Richard Jackson, is currently preparing for next year’s challenge, which takes place between 29 January and 8 February 2005.
Fulda, however, are already inviting applications for the 2006 event. Extreme sports enthusiasts, 4x4 drivers, adventure racers, triathletes, or anyone else who thinks they have got what it takes to pull a car, ski, snowshoe, climb and run, are invited to apply.

Short-listed applicants will be invited to an initial selection event in June/July 2005 (details to be confirmed). Up to five men and five women will be selected to compete in the final Fulda Tyres Challenge elimination event, which takes place in Sulden, Italy in late September/early October 2005. Here the UK team will be chosen to compete in the Fulda Tyres Challenge, which takes place in January/February 2006.

A week long series of roadside tyre checks arranged by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary in conjunction with the Tyre Industry Council has revealed a 4% rise in the number of defective tyres on the roads of Devon and Cornwall.

In similar checks in 2003 a below average 8.2% of vehicles checked had at least one tyre at or below the 1.6mm legal requirement. This year the figure rose to 12.2%, slightly above the national average of 11%.  The number of vehicles with badly worn tyres stayed static at 14.4%.

The world premiere of the Pirelli 2005 Calendar took place on Thursday 18 November 2004, at the Copacabana Fort, Rio de Janeiro, the location of this year’s calendar, which was produced by world-renowned photographer, Patrick Demarchelier.

In producing the 2005 edition of the calendar, Demarchelier has grasped and assimilated the spirit of Brazil and of Rio de Janeiro, a city dominated by strong contrasts. His black and white photographs, investigate the most mysterious aspects of the models, aiming to seek out the invisible source of their allure.

Appearing in this year’s Pirelli Calendar are Naomi Campbell, Filippa Hamilton and Isabeli Fontana as well as Adriana Lima, Diana Dondoe, Erin Wasson, Euguenia Vodianova, Julia Stegner, Liliane Ferrarezi, Marija Vujovic, Michelle Buswell, “Valentina” and Valeria Bohm. The result is a truly unique version of the Pirelli Calendar, made up for the first time of 22 pages.

The airless tyre is now with us. Michelin’s latest innovation, a maintenance free airless tyre, was displayed for the first time recently at the Paris Motor Show.

Key to the Airless tyre is its advanced radial structure manufactured from high performance composite materials, on to which a rubber tread is bonded. Once the tread wears down it can be removed and a new tread bonded to the core structure. The central structure is designed to last the life of the vehicle (typically 150,000 miles) and using advanced adhesives it is envisaged that motorists simply have a new tread each time the current set wears out.

A huge boon to motorists will be that the new tyre will be specifically "tuned" to their vehicle. It will never leak air, will never puncture, cannot be dangerously over-inflated, and ends the need to regularly check tyre pressures all round the car.

The Jupiter/Nexen brand, from South Korean manufacturer Nexen, is being launched into the UK market and is available in more than 140 patterns and sizes, ranging from family car to high performance tyres.

The UHP (Ultra High Performance) patterns have fuel saving technology built into the treads which makes the tyre more economic for consumers. Advances in technology and use of computer aided design ensures the Jupiter/Nexen tread is effectively spaced to provide excellent water clearing capabilities and less noise, in line with the latest European legislation.

Jupiter/Nexen is being marketed as a quiet tyre that doesn’t lose grip in wet conditions. The tyre also has an innovative seamless top ply which gives for a smoother ride.

Michelin has announced that it has decided to respond positively to a request from the Sauber Petronas Team's to use Michelin tyres for the 2005 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Commenting on the decision, Pierre Dupasquier, Head of Michelin Group's Competition operations said: "As we demonstrated in 2004, our technology makes a significant contribution to the performance of F1 cars. I look forward to enabling Sauber Petronas to benefit from this technology, just as BAR-Honda did in 2004 when, coupled with the formidable progress achieved in other areas, the team rose to second place in the Manufacturers' World Championship."

While reports circulate about the possibility of another eruption of the Mt. St. Helens volcanic crater, engineers and scientists at Goodyear are developing products that make positive use of the by-products of such lava flows.
An example is Goodyear’s US based tyre , the Assurance, which features volcanic sand, used in the tyre's Ice Zone to create a rough surface on the tread face. As the tyre is used, the volcanic sand "grit" presents microscopic cavities that work as tiny traction edges for better grip on slick surfaces.

"The volcanic sand is added to the tyre as a ground pumice material in the rubber," said Michael Crawford, Goodyear's technical team leader for light tyre materials. "The pumice creates a constantly rough and textured surface that proves very effective in delivering the kind of grip that drivers demand."

The volcanic material used in Goodyear's TripleTred tyre actually comes from south eastern Idaho. The unique tyre ingredient is mined from an area near Malad City, where several volcanoes blasted away millions of years ago.

Top Irish driver Rory Galligan used the Matador range of competition rally tyres to great effect on the recent Bulldog Rally, as he used the Slovakian engineered rubber to collect the title of 2004 Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge Champion.

 The former works Peugeot driver produced a stunning display of consistent driving to romp away with the title, despite great pressure from season long rival Paul Wedgebury. 

 Whilst the man from the Midlands struck puncture problems early on, Galligan used the SM-8 version of the Matador gravel tyres to great effect in the treacherously slippy Welsh forests. 

Matador Tyre Sport MD Graham Middleton was delighted with the result: "Rory has done a magnificent job this season.  He has been full of praise for the Matador SM-8 gravel tyre, and has set some fabulous stage times using them.  We're delighted with the way Rory has gone about things this year, as he has been totally professional and thoroughly deserved the title of Mitsubishi Evo Challenge Champion.  I'm very happy that Rory chose Matador as he has given yet more proof of just how capable the tyres

Alan Shearer has been unveiled as the ambassador for the Continental Tyre Group in the tyre company’s role as one of the official partners of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

The former England captain has signed a two-year contract to help raise awareness of the Continental brand in the run-up to, and during, the tournament.  Shearer will be lending his name to PR, advertising and sales promotion activity and will also be making guest appearances on the manufacturer’s behalf. 

Brian Smith, Managing Director, Continental Tyre Group, said: “We are delighted that Alan – one of the greatest strikers England has ever produced – has joined forces with Continental Tyres to share in the excitement of this incredible sporting event."
“As a consistently high performer on the pitch, Alan’s legendary skills reflect Continental’s core brand values of excellence, precision and reliability.”
Continental’s three-year FIFA World Cup sponsorship deal will see the company’s branding appearing on perimeter boards at matches, on screens in stadia and on a wide variety of other media including official posters, tickets, match programmes and even online.

Continental already enjoys a strong relationship with football and has sponsorship commitments across numerous markets.  The manufacturer sponsors the national teams of France and Belgium, IFK Gothenburg, FC Copenhagen and Valerenga in Sweden and FK Lokomotiv Moscow, as well as Hannover 96 in Germany.  Continental also sponsored the UEFA Champions League from 1995-1999, which paved the way for sponsorship of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Kumho has announced that it plans to develop a tyre for Formula One by 2007.  The US$ 25 million investment programme is aimed at providing a platform for Kumho to promote the technological capability and quality of its tyres to a worldwide audience.

Following a thorough review, Kumho has already begun to implement the required changes in its R&D and production facilities and plans to begin in-house testing in 2005, leading to full F1 team testing in 2006 and 2007.

Since entering the motorsport arena in 1992, Kumho has achieved a dominant position as a manufacturer of Formula Three tyres, becoming Official Tyre Supplier to the International F3 Korea Super Prix in 2000, followed by the Marlboro Masters of F3 in 2002 and, most recently, the successful F3 Euro Series.  The company also participates in GT racing around the world, including the prestigious JGTC (All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship) and the Super Taikyu endurance series in Japan.

Kumho expects to be ready to enter Formula One by 2007 but will decide on the precise timing of its participation after thoroughly weighing the expected benefits against the on-going investment requirement.

Goodyear have announced the fitment of its run-flat tyres to the latest addition to BMW’s range of vehicles.
The new BMW 1-series, due to be launched across Europe in mid-September, is the first volume car to be fitted with runflat tyres as standard (as opposed to being optional equipment) and without any provision for a spare tyre.

The 1 series has 16 inch Goodyear Eagle NCT5 EMTs as standard, backed by a tyre pressure warning system. The tyres will enable the car to be driven safely for up to 90  miles  at up to 50 miles per hour, with all the tyres punctured.

Goodyear Dunlop is the leading supplier of runflats to BMW. The company already supplies runflat tyres for the BMW 5 series, the 6 series and the Z4.

The 2005 Fulda Challenge UK team has been selected following a gruelling final elimination event held in the breathtaking setting of Sulden/South Tyrol in Italy.

The ultimate two-person team - Richard Jackson, an Offshore Engineer from Newcastle and Emmie Gribble, a Marketing Manager (and former BBC SAS Desert Are You Tough Enough? competitor) from London - will now face the arctic adventure of a lifetime when they represent the UK in the fifth Fulda Challenge. Runners-up Greame Hobson and Claire Blewden narrowly missed team selection but will maintain their fitness and remain on stand-by.

The Fulda Challenge, one of the world’s toughest adventures will take place in the Yukon Territory from 29 January to 8 February 2005. The Yukon is situated in the Canadian Cordillera - a mountainous belt with a sub-zero climate. As well as experiencing the magnificent scenery, the team will undertake a series of demanding activities including ice climbing, cross country skiing, mountain bike racing, chasm crossing, snowshoe trekking and much more.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2006 challenge, please apply online at www.fulda-tyres.co.uk

According to Tire Business’s Global Tire Report, in 2003, Michelin has confirmed its position as the world’s leading tyre manufacturer for the third consecutive year with a 20.1% share of the global tyre market.

Each year, Tire Business—a leading US monthly trade magazine—publishes its Global Tire Report. Based on tyre-specific sales, the report ranks the world’s 75 major manufacturers.

Representatives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the local Mayor were in attendance at Michelin’s Ballymena site recently as the tyre company made a presentation of two mountain bikes to be used as part of a new policing initiative in the Ballymena Borough. 

The scheme, aimed at improving police response to crime in the community, has been introduced in the area by Superintendent, Terry Shevlin.  He first witnessed the scheme in action in the USA and pioneered a similar scheme in his previous posting in Ballymoney. 

“The PSNI are indebted to Michelin for their support and they have our great thanks” said Supt Shevlin, speaking at the presentation on Thursday 26 August.

Graham Whitehurst, Michelin’s site manager at Ballymena said, “Michelin are delighted to be able to support the initiative and we will continue to explore ways of working alongside the PSNI where Michelin’s expertise could provide some assistance.”

October 17th 2004 will go down in history as the day Michelin scored an
amazing triple world championship: on two wheels, Valentino Rossi (Gauloises
Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin) secured the 2004 MotoGP World
Championship in brilliant race-winning style at Phillip Island, while on
four wheels Sebastien Loeb and Citroen secured the Drivers' and
Manufacturers' World Rally Championships with two rounds remaining.

Goodyear has given its backing to Olympic swimmer Nick Gillingham to mark his recent community work across the UK. The company has recently been working with the Amateur Swimming Association to help promote the ASA’s ‘Get Safe for Summer’ campaign, which educates children on water safety skills ahead of the summer holiday – a time when most drownings occur.
Goodyear were backing the campaign in conjunction with the launch of their own wet weather specialist tyre the HydraGrip and funded the purchase of thousands of swimming kits that were handed out all over the country by Gillingham to school children as part of the ‘Get Safe’ campaign. 

The latest high performance tyre from Japanese tyre manufacturer is the Toyo Proxes T1R. Designed exclusively for sport sedans and coupes, the Proxes T1R is a new generation Vshape UHP tyre which has been designed to meet the demand for high-speed stability and excellent handling under dry and wet conditions, while retaining low noise and optimum driving comfort.

The new tyre takes advantage of modern design technology and provides stable steering response and traction thanks to an improved tread pattern design compared to the tyre’s predecessor, the Proxes T1S, resulting in exceptional braking performance as well as improved wear resistance.

A key feature if the Toyo Proxes T1R is a newly designed silica compound, which effectively minimises heat-build-up. The silica provides a rigid tread hardness, which delivers excellent ground contact on dry surfaces and therefore helps optimise wet handling. Meanwhile a higher wet-µ means that excellent wet handling is also achieved. The Proxes T1R also incorporates an ultra-high molecular polymer, which helps increase wear resistance. These compound developments, together with an improved casing profile provide effective resistance against irregular wear and structural stress, resulting in extended total wear life.

The Toyo Proxes T1R features a unidirectional tread pattern with V-shaped main grooves for exceptional resistance to aquaplaning. The tyre also features a rigid shoulder rib pattern, which ensures excellent dry handling and anti-irregular wear as well as making a significant contribution to noise reduction. The stiffer shoulder blocks compared with the Proxes T1S also help assure improved braking performance.

The Toyo Proxes T1R is the is available in a comprehensive range of V, W and Y rated tyres in wheel diameters ranging from 14” to 19” and in aspect ratios from 30 to 55 series.

A Technical Report by the Environment Agency has provided a promotional boost to the tyre retreading industry by emphasising the environmentally friendly credentials of retreaded tyres for passenger vehicles.

The report, entitled “Life Cycle Assessment of the Management Options for Waste Tyres” considers the various methods of disposing of used car tyres in the UK and rates them according to how environmentally-friendly they are, focusing on the effect on eight different environmental areas, these being:

· the reduction of non-renewable reserves, such as minerals and fossil fuels
· acid deposition onto soil and into water
· negative effects on the health in flora and fauna
· global warming potential
· human toxicity
· the reduction of oxygen concentration in water and soil
· potential effects on the ozone layer
· the potential to form petrochemical particles in the air

Compared with other uses for used tyres such as export for reuse in other countries, reuse in seas defences and drainage applications, recycling for rubber crumb, burning in cement kilns, gasification and microwave technology, retreading achieved the best scores in six out of the eight categories, suggesting that retreading is the most environmentally friendly way of dealing with the mountains of scrap tyres that are produced in the UK each year.

Following an announcement that the Formula One Technical Working Group has been asked to propose measures to reduce the performance of F1 cars, Michelin has offered a number of proposals.

Pirelli, Michelin, Continental feels that its proposals are very much in line with the FIA’s main objectives for the future, which are to control performances by reducing cornering speeds for safety reasons, to offer a substantial reduction in costs through the virtual elimination of tyre testing and to improve the racing spectacle without introducing artificial rules.

After consultation with its partner teams, Michelin produced various proposals, which are listed below.  The company feels that these.

The proposals, which Michelin feels could be introduced from as early as 2005 are the use of one set of tyres for qualifying and the entire race, between four sets and two sets of dry tyres to be available for each driver per weekend, available in one or two types, the supply of same specification prime and same specification option tyres for all teams and six sets per team for each test day (with a recommendation for a drastic reduction in testing during the F1 season, to be decided by either the Team Principals or the FIA).

Michelin Group Chairman and CEO, Edouard Michelin said, “Our proposals offer a triple benefit: an increase in safety, a reduction in costs and an improvement to the racing spectacle – particularly by having more overtaking. These proposals therefore both respond positively to the wishes of the FIA and also allow teams the freedom to choose their tyre supplier; a freedom that is at the very heart of the companies involved in Formula One. 

A roadside tyre check initiative arranged by Lincolnshire Police and supported by the Tyre Industry has revealed that 6% of vehicles stopped had at least one tyre at or below 1.6mm - the national average is 11%.  The last time this type of check was carried out in Lincolnshire was in 2001 where the number of illegal tyres was 8%.

The survey also revealed that the number of vehicles with at least one badly worn tyre i.e. between 1.7mm and 2mm was 10.2%.  A worrying aspect of the check, which took place at various locations throughout the county, was that only 29% of drivers knew that the legal minimum was 1.6mm.

Inspector Jon Morris, Head of Casualty Reduction - Lincolnshire Police said, "A significant part of our continuing education and enforcement campaign to reduce casualties incorporates targeting identified problem areas, such as defective tyres.

"It is, therefore, encouraging to note that of the drivers stopped throughout Lincolnshire, less and less have un-roadworthy tyres.

The number of defective tyres on cars and vans in the north east of England showed an increase of almost 3% according to figures released by the Tyre Industry Council following the tyre safety campaign arranged earlier this year.

Just over 11% of cars and vans on the region’s roads had at least one defective tyre; this being identical to the national figure for illegal tyres. This figure contrasts with a reduction in the number of worn tyres, defined as being below 2mm, of 2%.

Four police forces took part in the Northeast campaign with, three carrying out enforcement initiatives. In North Yorkshire there was a 3% increase in the number of defective tyres to 10.7%. In Cleveland the figure for illegal tyres jumped by almost 6% to 17.2%. However, in Durham the police recorded a 1% reduction in the figure for worn tyres.

In addition to the roadside tyre check programme arranged by the police, the TIC organised a series of tyre safety clinics at major supermarkets. Some 800 motorists took advantage of these free tyre checks and tyre safety advice and almost 18% of cars checked had at least one tyre in need of replacement. During these checks other problems were also detected including 138 cars with tyre wear due to misalignment, 18 with perished tyres and 13 showing signs of over or under inflation.

Off road enthusiasts will be interested to hear than Portuguese retread specialist Recauchutagem 31 has launched a new off road tyre under its FEDIMA brand name. After introducing the FEDIMA Extreme (80% off-road/ 20% road), Fronteira (50% off-road/ 50% road), F-Guide/ Partner (Competition), Maxigrip (Mud Terrain) and F4 (Autocross) ranges, amongst others, the company has introduced the Trial ADÉ pattern as part of the company’s strategy to develop "The world's most diversified range of retreads".

The Trial ADÉ is a new pattern specially designed for trial purposes and complements the company’s existing Trial pattern. The new tyre is available in three sizes, these being 31/10.5 R 15, 265/75 R 16 and 35/10.5 R 16.

Made specifically for use as a Trial tyre, these tyres are asymmetric and have an aggressive pattern, with exceptionally powerful traction assuring good performance in the most exacting of all-terrain competition situations.

Mikko Hirvonen's Subaru Impreza WRC 2004, running on Pirelli tyres, has finished the Rally Argentina in fourth place: his best-ever overall result. The young Finn also took his first-ever fastest stage time with Pirelli and Subaru. Mikko used Pirelli's P Zero KP4 tyres for all five stages of the final leg.

His World Champion team mate Petter Solberg was forced to retire from the rally with recurring engine problems on the opening day, having led the rally for four stages and set four fastest times.

Since the Rally New Zealand in April, Petter has led every single event - proving the excellent all-round capabilities of Pirelli's P Zero tyre range. Prior to Argentina, Petter had taken five wins and seven podium places from the last 11 rallies.

Michelin have come out on top in a J.D. Power Asia Pacific study into customer satisfaction with winter tyres. Based on a survey conducted in Japan, the results released on June 25 place Michelin ahead of the competition.

The study was based on responses from 1,130 customers who purchased a new passenger vehicle between January 2001 and June 2003 and own winter tyres. Of the five tyre brands ranked by the customers, Michelin scored highest with 655 out of a maximum of 1,000 points. The overall industry average is 586.

Five satisfaction factors were judged: performance in snowy/icy road conditions, performance in normal road conditions, durability, design and fuel economy.

Michael Schumacher has sealed his seventh FIA Formula One World Championship title after finishing second to Kimi Raikkonen at the Belgian Grand Prix. It was Schumacher's fifth consecutive drivers' championship taken on Bridgestone tyres. On a day which saw no fewer than three safety car periods and numerous overtaking manoeuvres, it was the Bridgestone runners who fared best. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro's Rubens Barrichello took a well earned third place on the podium after battling hard from the back of the pack after an early unscheduled stop for a change of rear wing. Sauber Petronas' Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella also drove superbly under pressure to take the chequered flag in fourth and fifth places respectively, giving Bridgestone four of the top five places in the race. 

Modern cars are safer than ever, but seasonal temperatures take their toll on every vehicle and whilst there’s not much that can be done to increase your patience threshold in the summer heat, by thoroughly preparing your vehicle you can reduce stress factors. With this in mind, Michelin have issued a list of tips covering some of the key areas of tyre maintenance, close attention to which will help drivers reduce stress levels on summer journeys.

1. All tyres – and don't forget your spare - should have at least the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread. This must continue around the entire circumference of the tyre. Road grip and braking distances deteriorate rapidly as tread depth wears so drivers should not be complacent and replace tyres with less than 2mm of tread. 
2. Those longer summer trips with the car fully loaded can heat and stress your tyres, especially if they are suffering from undetected cracks or bulges. If you plan to tow a trailer or caravan make sure you double-check the state of its tyres. These are likely to start to perish before the tread wears significantly, and can deteriorate unnoticed if the caravan or trailer has been since being used last summer.
3. Check all pressures when the tyres are cold in line with the recommendations in the car owner's manual for the load you plan to carry. Inflate your spare tyre to the highest pressure recommended for your car - you can always let air out if conditions demand a lower pressure. Carry a pressure gauge with you to get this right.
4. Most punctures happen because the tyre is worn and probably under-inflated, so check the tyre carefully, and remove stones stuck in the tread that could lead to a future loss of pressure. Uneven wear could mean the car has problems with its steering or brakes. Check too that the dust cap is properly fitted.
5. Breaking down at any time is a nightmare. In fact, breaking down on a sweltering summer's day on the way to work is bad enough, but with the car loaded with family and luggage heading for the ferry is far worse. The best way to avoid this is to keep your car and tyres regularly serviced. Plan the route for your trip in advance and carry up-to-date maps. Preparation prior to travel is a must but don’t forget to keep an eye on your tyres during your trip. It pays to be careful. Five minutes spent looking over your tyres could prevent your dream summer turning into a nightmare.
   

Pirelli-shod vehicles claimed the top three places in the opening round of the Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship recently, with a delighted David Higgins emerging from the depths of Wark Forest to claim first place. Higgins and co-driver, Chris Wood totally dominated the event with 8 fastest times on the 10 stage event in their Hyundai Accent WRC.

At the finish in Gateshead's Baltic Square, Higgins and Wood were over two minutes ahead of two further teams using Pirelli tyres. Alistair Ginley and Rory Kennedy were second in their Subaru Impreza WRC, with Paul Bird and Andrew Bargery a further minute behind in their Ford Focus.

Korean tyre manufacturer Hankook has announced that it has signed a lucrative contract to supply original equipment tyres for the Ford Mondeo in Europe. The company says it began supplying Ford in March as part of a three-year contract, which will see Hankook supply 140,000 tyres a year for the Mondeo between now and 2007.

Hankook is one of only six tyre manufacturers supplying tyres for the Mondeo, the others being Bridgestone, Michelin, Continental, Goodyear and Pirelli. Hankook will be supplying the Ventus Prime tyre for the Ford Mondeo, an asymmetrical high performance tyre designed for high mileage drivers.

Dunlop have announced the introduction of a new car tyre which has been designed to combine the performance characteristics of wet performance, good braking and comfort. Normally performance handling and comfort are contradictory characteristics in tyre design. This is a problem for tyre manufacturers as over 50% of drivers won’t compromise on comfort to get the driving experience they expect. Dunlop’s new SP 30 tyre has been designed to meet this challenge.

According to Dunlop the SP 30 offers superior braking on both wet and dry surfaces, reassuring aquaplaning resistance and a ride which Dunlop say is almost completely devoid of tyre noise.
The SP 30 features an asymmetric.”Tri-area” tread pattern featuring a Hydro-Paddle system and longitudinal grooves. The tyre’s full depth lateral grooves and the unbroken longitudinal grooves quickly drain and eject water from both sides of the tread, offering excellent wet grip and high aquaplaning resistance.

Lassa Tyres have launched the Impetus Sport, a new, W rated ultra high performance tyre, which is being introduced in a range of fourteen 16”, 17” and 18” fitments during the course of the year.

The new tyre features a unidirectional tread pattern with wide circumferential grooves and numerous connected slant grooves on the tread and shoulder, which have been designed to provide high resistance to aquaplaning. Meanwhile, a high wet grip compound has been incorporated to provide unique wet grip handling.

The Impetus Sport also features a reinforced body ply and reinforced belt edges to allow for greater stability at high speeds, whilst steel bead inserts assure greater ride comfort from reduced body roll and improved steering.

The American Grand Prix held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway saw one of the most eventful races of the year with the Bridgestone-shod Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team claiming their sixth 1-2 finish of the year. The race was interrupted twice for Safety Car periods due to incidents but once racing resumed there was no stopping the Ferrari pair as they battled nose to tail at times for the race lead. However, it was Michael Schumacher's audacious overtaking move on poleman and teammate Rubens Barrichello as the race restarted for the first time, that put the reigning champion in with a chance of taking his eighth win in nine races. Schumacher now leads the championship with 80 points to Barrichello's 62 and Ferrari continues to head the Constructors' Championship with 142 points.

Hisao Suganuma – Technical Manager – Bridgestone Motorsport commented: “What a fantastic 1-2 for Ferrari! This is their sixth 1-2 of the season but by no means an easy one from a tyre point of view. The Speedway is a very challenging track for a tyre manufacturer so I was pleased to see the way our tyres performed in these conditions and in the heat. It was marginal but being able to support Ferrari in their two-stop strategy was very satisfying”.

Ross Brawn – Technical Director – Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro added; “The Bridgestone tyres were very good today. We had to run some quite high fuel loads because of the way the race worked out and there were times when we had a lot of fuel in the cars which meant we had to nurse the tyres a little bit but really they were perfect. The important thing was that they gave us a qualifying performance when we needed it and then held up well in the race.”

Bridgestone achieved a 1-2 finish in the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring this month when Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro's Michael Schumacher blitzed the field once again for for the sixth time this season to take a stunning lights-to-flag victory. Rubens Barrichello completed a perfect day for Ferrari and Bridgestone as he stuck to a two-stop strategy to achieve second place on the podium.

Hisao Suganuma, Bridgestone Motorsport’s Technical Manager commented on the result by saying; "We're all delighted to see our fourth 1-2 finish of the year and we hope to continue this for the rest of the season. It's really down to the effort that has been put into improving our tyre performance and I am really pleased that our tyre advantage has given Ferrari a 1-2 finish and an excellent sixth place for Sauber. We saw a variety of strategies on our tyres this afternoon: Michael set the quickest lap of the race on a three stop strategy and both Rubens and Giancarlo maximised our tyre durability to make the most of a two stop strate