Next weekend will see Japanese tyre manufacturer Yokohama partner Aston Martin for the sixth time, as the iconic marque enters the annual Nürburgring 24 Hours race. Four Aston Martin racecars will use Yokohama tyres: the two in-house cars which traditionally feature well and the two Young Driver AMR team V12 Vantage GT3s.

The event is one of the highlights on the motorsport calendar and features a huge entry, ranging from full endurance-specification racers to production hatchbacks with safety modifications only. It uses the infamous Nordschleife circuit, referred to as the 'Green Hell', the 20-kilometre circuit nestling in the Eifel Mountains in Germany.

Hankook recently celebrated a long service award for a host of employees at the head office based in Daventry. Barrie Horrocks, Hankook UK Sales Director and Ian Mayoll, UK PCR Sales Manager were both recognised for their 10 year’s service at Hankook Tyre UK Ltd. Barrie and Ian were also joined by several other members of the Hankook team as Tracy Martin (Accounts Assistant), Liz Coles (Credit Controller), Ben Frances (Franchise Manager) and Paul Field (Logistics Administrator) were also commemorated for the dedication and valued contribution to the company.

Hankook were first introduced to the UIK in the early 1980’s with just two employees. The company now employs a total of 65 staff in the UK head office. “It is very satisfying to see so many of our valued UK team celebrate 10 years service with the company. Hankook have built a very successful, committed and experienced team of people here in the UK whose hard work and knowledge of the tyre industry have been invaluable. I want to thank each one of them for their contribution over the last years and hope sincerely that they continue to grow with the company in years to come,” said Tony Lee Manager Director.

Goodyear has announced it is in the final development stages of a new tyre that is expected to achieve new levels of recognised road safety in the UK and Europe. The tyre is currently being put through the final stages of testing at Goodyear's Global Innovations Centre in Luxembourg as one of the company's mostly closely guarded product developments to date.

 At the moment only minimal information about the new tyre can be provided and engineers are currently in the process of finalising the product for production. The development of the tyre is an advancement in the performance of one specific critical area, often recognised as being a 'key challenge'.

(Goodyear launch their all new EfficientGrip SUV Tyre)

 Goodyear recently launched its latest tyre innovation, the all new EfficientGrip SUV which has been specifically manufactured to meet the ever demanding needs of the SUV and 4x4 vehicle markets. This new range was recently unveiled in Albufeira, Portugal as part of an extensive European product presentation and follows the successful introduction of Goodyear's award winning EfficientGrip passenger tyre.

 Tyre Trade News joined Goodyear at the launch as part of a UK delegation which incorporated a number of test driving events and product workshops commencing with a two hour Scenic Drive in a fleet of the world acclaimed Range Rover Evoque SUV fitted with EfficientGrip SUV tyres from Quinta dos Agostos, Santa Barbara de Nexe near Faro to Albufeira.

More than 170 delegates attended and actively participated in TyreSafe’s recent industry briefing, making it the biggest and most successful yet.

The event on 3rd May was open to anyone with an interest in tyre and road safety and attracted organisations including tyre retailers and manufacturers, car makers, insurers, fleet providers, emergency services and trading standards.

Key to the event’s success was that it did not shy away from tackling topical and relevant subject matters, particularly those of part worn tyres. The event also included the launch of TyreSafe’s tyre labelling educational material ahead of the 1^st July introduction.

“TyreSafe is planning another briefing for late summer just ahead of our annual Tyre Safety Month. The details will be available on our website – www.tyresafe.org

Two new car tyres, including a flagship product for the ultra high performance sector, will be given their debut by GT Radial at hall three, stand 115 at Reifen 2012.

The Champiro UHP1 has been created for the most demanding drivers to offer excellent wet and dry handling, precise cornering and strong braking characteristics across a wide variety of road conditions.

The Champiro UHP1 is introduced in 43 sizes ranging from 195/45R15 to 255/35ZR20 with speed codes from V-W.

Also launched is the Champiro VP1, a mainstream all-round comfort design that offers versatility with an impressive balance of comfort, control, safety and mileage.

The Champiro VP1 is introduced in 28 sizes ranging from 165/80R13 to 195/50R15, with speed codes ranging from T-V.

GT Radial is also displaying a wide selection of other tyres in the high performance, comfort, winter, Nordic, 4x4, light truck and specialist categories.

GT Radial has hailed The Commercial Vehicle Show 2012 as “a real success” having secured over 30 high-quality leads, including a large number of senior national and European key fleet contacts.

The company also revealed that attendance at the event has resulted in several orders for the inaugural retread tyre, GT Ree Tread, many of which were taken on the stand.

Tony McHugh, sales and marketing director for GT Radial, said: “The stand was a constant flow of activity.  Everyone we spoke to commended the diversity of the product range, which covers several applications across European markets, and this is mirrored in the quality of the leads.

Peter Foulkes, GT Radial Marketing Manager Europe – Truck and Bus, added: “We are now the world’s fourth biggest player in the bus and truck tyre market and everyone who visited our stand knows we have achieved this through a strategy of offering advanced products in a wide range of sizes at attractive price points with excellent service and technical back up.

“At the event we launched three new products including the GT Ree Tread, our first commercial vehicle retread tyre.  It offers definite cost and environmental advantages along with excellent overall performance and a clear casing value.  Initial customer feedback indicates it will make a real impact in the market.”

Tyre manufacturer Maxxis thanked its top 15 dealers for their support by taking owner-operators and senior managers on an all expenses paid trip to Thailand, combining a superb, two-centre holiday with a factory visit.  The one-week VIP trip was the highlight of the latest Maxxis Rewards programme and retailers said how impressed they were with everything about it.

The retailers booked their tickets to Thailand after purchasing Maxxis car, van and 4x4 tyres from excusive distributor Stapleton’s Tyre Services between 1 October 2011 and 31 March 2012.

In partnership with its UK distributor, Bond International, Infinity Tyres is delighted to sponsor the inaugural race of the 2012 Dante Festival, taking place at York Racecourse on Wednesday 16^th May.

Following the success of last year’s Infinity Tyres Stakes Handicap, the prize money of £20,000 has attracted a strong line-up of riders and continuing to sponsor the first race of this prestigious festival is sure to bring excellent exposure for the Infinity brand.

York racecourse is one of Europe’s premier tracks and was recently awarded ‘Flat Racecourse of the Year’ and Infinity Tyres looks forward to a great day out with its many dealers and partners. 

Those who cannot be there in person will be able watch the Infinity Tyres Stakes live on British terrestrial TV – at 1.30pm on Channel 4.

It was smiles all round at a sunny but chilly Yokohama Irish Touring Car Championship round at Bishopscourt this weekend, running Yokohama control tyres: the drivers in the Touring and SuperTouring classes of the series who scored the most points were presented with not only their race trophies but a ticket to the Portuguese round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, as guests of Yokohama.

The Japanese company has been the official tyre supplier to the WTCC since 2006 and joined the ITCC as tyre partner this year. It was a natural fit to offer VIP visits to one of the WTCC rounds as prizes to the ITCC drivers who notched up the most points at the series' third round.

Infinity Tyres has been testing its new tyre ranges at Spain’s IDIADA proving ground with great results. IDIADA, located in the province of Tarragona, offers the most comprehensive independent proving ground facilities in Europe, as well as state-of-the-art test tracks and fully equipped laboratories.

IDIADA’s expert homologating team can undertake tyre analysis in full compliance with EC / ECE directives and regulations, and is recognised worldwide as an authorised technical service and regulation consultant.

The Total Performance Testing team was requested to perform a series of tests on Infinity’s new prototype tyres versus two major European OEM tyre brands as well as a less recognised Asian replacement tyre brand.

Both Infinity prototypes were of the same construction but differed in tread compound and were analysed following a full range of subjective tests which were carried out alongside more standard objective tests in order to give a comprehensive assessment of the new models.

A West Yorkshire man was given a 12-month prison sentence at Selby Magistrates Court this month after the Environment Agency found thousands of tyres dumped illegally at a York airfield and other locations around the city.

Paul Ketteridge, aged 51, of Lyndon Avenue, Bramham, Leeds, admitted two waste offences in relation to Tockwith Airfield and was found guilty after a trial on a charge relating to fly tipping at Goodmanham near Market Weighton.

He also admitted three further waste offences in relation to thousands of tyres dumped at Avenue Road, York and 31 Lyndon Avenue, Bramham.