Illegal Tyre Dumping a Growing Problem for Tyre Dealers
Colway Tyres Now Available Direct from Tyres Direct
Cooper Announces Formula Ford 2000 Championship
Goodyear Announce Layoffs in North America
Illegal Car Tyres Down in Latest Police Survey
Dunlop Launch Driving Brain of Britain Competition
VMI Delivers Tyre Building Machine for PAX System
Locking Wheel Nuts Cause Problems at 10% of Tyre Fitments
Stressed Drivers Ask Dunlop for Help
Vauxhall Eco Speedster Smashes World Records on Bridgestone
TIC Warn on Dangers of Old Tyres
Record Entry for Challenge Bibendum

Illegal Tyre Dumping a Growing Problem for Tyre Dealers

An increasing number of tyre dealers are suffering from illegally dumped tyres on their own premises according to a national survey carried out by the National Tyre Distributors Association. Over a third of tyre retailers polled in the survey of had reported fly tipping of both car and truck tyres on their premises in the last six months. The survey also showed that nearly half of the tyre dealers contacted reported an increase of fly tipping of tyres in their area.

The NTDA are active supporters of a major initiative by the Environment Agency entitled "Tyrewatch" publicising the problems associated with fly tipped tyres. The "Tyrewatch" initiative is also designed to draw tyre distributors attention to their responsibilities under the Duty of Care regulations.

It appears that different parts of the country are more affected by the problem than others with 70% of distributors in South and West Wales reporting fly tipping on their premises. The North East of England fairs the best with only 25% reporting problems however in London and the South East a massive 95% have noticed fly tipped tyres in their area in the past six months.

The survey also looked at the market for part worn tyres which showed that this sector has slowed down considerably over the past few years. Nationally only 24% saw the market on the increase whilst over a third estimated that the market was decreasing. Here again regional variations are striking with Scotland showing a 45% decrease in the market for part worns whilst London and the South only estimated a 10% decrease. Nationally the figures point to a 33% decrease in the market with 42% seeing it remaining static.

Colway Tyres Now Available Direct from Tyres Direct

Colway tyres, the UK's leading retread brand, can now be purchased on-line, or by telephone, from a new company, Tyres Direct. The new service has been established to assist customers who have previously had problems finding Colway stockists in certain areas of the UK. Now, the tyres can be purchased by just a telephone call to the sales hot-line (0845 6008206), or by logging on to the company's website at www.tyresdirect.uk.com

Colways purchased through Tyres Direct are available to users anywhere in the UK and are delivered straight to the customer via the national carrier, Nightfreight (GB) Ltd. Customers are then free to make their own choice about fitting arrangements.

Cooper Announces Formula Ford 2000 Championship

The Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has announced a new five-year agreement with Formula Motorsports Inc. to create the Cooper Tire Championship Series. This Series will be the new home of the Formula Ford 2000 Zetec racing programme, which boasts alumni including Indy car stars Alex Barron, Sam Hornish, Buddy Rice, Dan Wheldon and Greg Ray.

Also under the Cooper Tire Championship Series umbrella in 2004 will be separate Pro Championships in the Formula SCCA and SCCA Sports Racer categories for cars using Van Diemen-manufactured chassis. All three categories will use the same Cooper Zeon racing radials.

Goodyear Announce Layoffs in North America

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced that it is to eliminate approximately 500 salaried and non-bargaining unit positions at its North American Tire manufacturing locations. The reductions will affect management and staff positions at most manufacturing plants throughout North America.

Each location is developing its own restructuring plan for how the reductions will be achieved. When the plans are finalised within the next few weeks, local management will communicate the specific details to associates at their facilities. It is expected that the reductions will be completed by the end of September.

Earlier this year, Goodyear eliminated approximately 700 salaried positions, the majority of which were located at its headquarters in Akron, Ohio.

Illegal Car Tyres Down in Latest Police Survey

A series of roadside tyre checks arranged by Leicestershire Constabulary and supported by the Tyre Industry Council has revealed a dramatic 12% improvement in the number of defective tyres compared with checks a year ago. The improvement from 25% in 2002 to 13% this year is a welcome development and brings the average in Leicestershire to just above the national average of 11%.

Dunlop Launch Driving Brain of Britain Competition

In conjunction with the Institute of Advanced Motorists, Dunlop have announced a new competition on their website to find the "Driving Brain of Britain". Dunlop Communications Manager Geraldine McGovern said: "The scheme is intended as a fun, interactive way of educating people in road and tyre safety and is open to all motorists who are looking to test their knowledge of these issues. As well as some highly technical and in-depth questions, there will also be plenty of "off-the-wall" challenges that we're hoping will both educate and entertain".

The most successful participants in the online quiz will then be entered into regional finals. The candidate who displays the most dazzling array of knowledge at this stage will then go on to the national final later in the year. The national winner will then be declared the "Dunlop Driving Brain of Britain" and will get to win a fantastic once-in-a-lifetime driving experience as their reward - whether it's Ferrari driving in Italy, Audi ice driving on Cortina or the opportunity to test drive one of the world's ultimate cars - the Supercar experience.

If you would like to enter the Dunlop Driving Brain of Britain challenge, you can do so be registering online at www.dunloptyres.co.uk or www.driveradvisor.com.

VMI Delivers Tyre Building Machine for PAX System

Michelin and Pirelli have made a license agreement with VMI in Holland for the development and manufacturing of an automatic tyre building machine for Michelin's PAX-system. Based on a joint design by the three parties, the new machine was engineered by VMI and the first machine has recently been built and taken into production.

The machine was named the VRPAX, and is a fully automatic tyre assembling system that will produce the full range of tyres for the PAX-System, Michelin's extended mobility solution. The TBM has a production capacity of 800 tyres per day, and is in operation at one of the Michelin facilities in Europe. The license agreement allows VMI to supply VRPAX tyre building machines also to other licensees of Michelin's PAX-system.

Locking Wheel Nuts Cause Problems at 10% of Tyre Fitments

Locking nuts used to secure alloy wheels cause problems at more than 10 per cent of all tyre fitments, according to research by AA Tyre Fit. The most common problem with the nuts, which are designed to protect expensive alloy wheels against theft, is that the key is missing - although over-tightening and poor quality locking nuts can also cause difficulties.

AA Tyre Fit General Manager, David Goodyear, says: "As more and more cars are being fitted with alloy wheels, and more and more people fit locking nuts to protect them, this is becoming a bigger problem. While our mobile units carry a variety of tools for removing locking wheel nuts, it is not an easy job and risks damage to the alloy wheel itself. It means that a tyre fitment that should take around half an hour can sometimes take half a day."

Goodyear advised that fleet managers should check whether their drivers are aware the fact that their car is fitted with locking nuts, that the key is kept in a secure place within the vehicle, and that it has been returned after servicing or tyre fitting. He added: "This is especially an issue on high value fleet vehicles and, as alloy wheel designs on nearly all kinds of car become more sophisticated and valuable, it is a problem that we believe can only grow in the future."

Stressed Drivers Ask Dunlop for Help

Dunlop has been inundated by stressed drivers after making a countrywide appeal for them to come forward. Following the launch of their new quieter SP Sport 01 tyre in June, Dunlop issued a limited edition drivers 'relaxation pack' to de-stress and comfort busy drivers. Included in the pack were chill-out CDs, in-car aromatherapy oils and a handy head pillow for those wanting to pull over for a power nap.

Sian Martin, Communications Specialist at Dunlop's Tyrefort headquarters had over two thousand applications for the pack in just one day and they're still coming in. She said: "There are obviously a lot of stressed drivers out on the roads as requests for the pack are now approaching the 30,000 mark. We're hoping that the relaxation toolkit will help drivers to calm down and concentrate on their driving.

Vauxhall Eco Speedster Smashes World Records on Bridgestone

The Vauxhall Speedster - one of the world's only diesel sports cars - has smashed 17 international speed records with the help of its Bridgestone Potenza RE040 tyres. Demonstrating both economy and speed, the 1.3 litre-engined Speedster achieved a high-speed average of 256 kmph over one kilometre, and an average of 251 kmh over a distance of 500km.

A two-seater sports car, the Eco-Speedster is a concept car based on the VX220 and can deliver a staggering 113 mpg. It marks Vauxhall's new emphasis on diesel power, and the company plans to launch four new diesel engines for its production models between now and the end of 2003.

To assisting the Vauxhall in its record-breaking attempt Bridgestone supplied Potenza RE040 tyres. These provided the car with the best of both worlds by reducing rolling resistance while maintaining high-speed stability, and fulfilled Vauxhaull's requirement to use only existing components from the automotive supply industry. The Vauxhall Speedster fits Bridgsetone Potenza RE040 tyres in sizes 175/55 R 17 81W (front) and 215/45 ZR 17 (rear).

TIC Warn on Dangers of Old Tyres

An increase in the number of cars with old tyres identified at recent police roadside tyre checks has led the Tyre Industry Council to issue a warning to motorists of the potential dangers of running a car or van on over age tyres.

TIC tyre experts at roadside tyre checks in Hertfordshire and Wiltshire identified a number of vehicles with tyres between 10 and 12 years old and one car with two tyres that were 15 years old.While this is not illegal, says the TIC, there are certain circumstances where the ageing process can render a tyre unserviceable even if it is unused. As the components within the tyre dry out with age, they can separate, causing the tyre to distort and vibrate and potentially the tyre could fail and deflate.

Motorists are able to check the age of a tyre by examining the date code on the sidewall of the tyre. If it is 10 years old or over the TIC strongly recommends that it be replaced. The TIC also pointed out that although tyre manufacturers add anti-ageing chemicals to rubber compounds they are only active when the tyre is in use. Therefore, tyres fitted to spare wheels, caravans and trailers are particularly at risk of premature ageing brought on by ozone degradation and static "sitting" for lengthy periods. Hence if an unused tyre reaches six years old it should not be placed into service.

Record Entry for Challenge Bibendum

Challenge Bibendum, the Michelin inspired annual forum and experimental test session for new technology in sustainable mobility, which takes place at the Sonoma Raceway, California from 23-25 September, has this year attracted a record entry of over 100 vehicles.

Chris Dawes, Managing Director of Michelin UK commented: "The annual Challenge Bibendum is now recognised as the world's foremost gathering of sustainable mobility technology, offering a unique insight into the future. The fact that this year's event has attracted a record entry is a reflection of the fast-growing investment this vitally important sector is attracting".

Challenge Bibendum is this year structured in three sections. In the Competitive Testing section of the Challenge, half of the 49 vehicles to have been registered covering a broad range of environmentally positive solutions, are prototypes. Examples of the latest alternative energy systems will be pitted against super-efficient fossil fuel power, enabling a direct comparison of technologies, while measuring the progress of all solutions. Entries from Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota and Volvo, will be joined by others from energy specialists, research institutes, universities and NGOs.

The Commercial Vehicle section will focus on cleaner technologies for buses and trucks with prototype diesel-hybrid, natural gas and clean diesel powered vehicles as well as fuel cell and battery-electric offerings. Of special interest will be the fuel-cell auxiliary power unit offering innovative solutions for overnight idling - a first for Challenge Bibendum.

Learning Centre, the third section of the Challenge, will see a wide range of technologies, displays and innovations from vehicle manufacturers, energy and equipment suppliers, governments, non-government organisations and related private companies.