Challenges tackled in truck race tire development could lead to the creation of advanced new road tire technologies.
The tire maker has signed a three-year deal to become tire supplier to the British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC), 13 years after it became sponsor of the European Truck Racing Championship.
To ensure the demands of this extreme type of racing could be met, the Goodyear development team formulated a special compound, designed to ensure high wet and dry grip and decreased wear – keeping costs to a minimum. A new tread pattern was also developed.
Testing was conducted on tracks in Luxembourg and France on a range of surfaces in both wet and dry conditions.
Fast forward to 2017 and development of the truck race tires continues extensively. The latest generation Goodyear 315/70 R22.5 truck tire carcasses are still being used, however development is now focused on reducing overheating and increasing lateral rigidity to enhance performance further. Additionally, a special tread compound and tread design improve tire-road contact. The tire now also contains RFID.
Steve Thomas, MD of the Thomas’s group, which competes in the BTRC, said, “Goodyear has a track record in developing truck racing tires, constantly innovating and developing its product portfolio. Many of the pressures that the tires go through during a truck race can give important data about products and it enables the company to produce tires which are built to perform and last throughout a wide range of conditions.”
Marc Preedy, commercial director, Goodyear UK and Ireland, added, “Being the exclusive tire partner for the BTRC is important for us. Not only does it give us the opportunity to demonstrate the incredible durability and performance of our products, but also enables us to showcase the innovation that drives our brand in front of the dedicated truck racing audience.
“Truck racing is also a platform for us in tire development. Engineers from our Innovation Centre in Luxembourg have worked hard to produce tires that can perform well in extreme conditions, from which we have learned lessons that help our work in developing ever-better tires for road-going trucks.”
More on Goodyear’s European Truck Racing Championship tires here.
