Bridgestone has announced the launch of its new semi-slick Bridgestone Potenza Race tyre. 

The company said in a statement that the tyre would deliver lap times that beat all main competing tyres, along with the best braking performance in dry conditions. The tyre is homologated for public roads, but with performance focussed on track days. 

The Potenza Race is the latest addition to Bridgestone’s Potenza tyre range – itself born from Bridgestone’s long association with Formula One racing – empowering motorsports enthusiasts to remain in control at speed. Emilio Tiberio, COO & CTO, Bridgestone EMIA, said, “The Potenza Race adds an additional dimension to our iconic Potenza range. The existing Potenza Sport has been an incredible success since it launched, and now the Potenza Race takes things a step further by offering unrivalled performance to track day enthusiasts. Many have already seen and experienced what the Potenza Race original fitments can do on the Lamborghini Huracán STO and Seat Leon Cupra – we’re thrilled to be bringing it to the replacement market for more drivers.” 

Developed and manufactured in Europe, Bridgestone’s new Potenza Race will be available in 13 popular sizes between 17 and 20 inches from June 2022, supporting the hot hatchbacks and sportscars most commonly found attending track days.  

Benefitting from this heritage and the expertise gained during the development of Potenza Race OE fitments for the Lamborghini Huracán STO and SEAT Leon Cupra hot hatchback, along with the Huracán STO Tecnica supercar launched recently, the Potenza Race is Bridgestone’s first-ever dedicated replacement tyre for track days. 

The new Potenza Race completes Bridgestone’s ultra-high performance tyre line-up, providing a track-focussed tyre ideal for driving enthusiasts, the release said. 

According to tests carried out by independent TÜV SÜD, the Bridgestone Potenza Race posts the best lap times ahead of its main competitors on the track. The Bridgestone Potenza Race tyre also offers the shortest braking distance on a dry surface. 

The tread design applies an asymmetric pattern, with differentiation between the outside and inside of the tyre to maximise cornering power and braking potential while still guaranteeing suitable usage on wet roads, it said. 

Asymmetric wall angles on the Potenza Race tyre further increase lateral stiffness and reduce block deformation, and a special rear tread pattern with an increased shoulder rib provides maximum dry performance with optimised braking and block stiffness. 

The Potenza Race also incorporates a sporty profile shape, helping to increase the contact area and maximise braking potential. An optimised contact patch helps to improve steering feel and controllability, increasing driver confidence. 

It also benefits from a new compound, with innovative mixing to improve chemical reaction control, balancing the reinforcing mechanism and rolling resistance. The result is an optimised formula for enhanced dry performance, with high stiffness that boosts dry cornering and straight-line stability. 

The new Potenza Race has been developed using Bridgestone’s Virtual Tyre Development technology. This enables a digital version of an in-development tyre to be created and tested, helping Bridgestone to predict how a tyre will perform in different conditions before physically building prototypes. As a result, Bridgestone can test far more variants in a virtual world, which cuts tyre development time by up to 50 per cent and delivers a host of environmental benefits including a reduction in raw material consumption due to the need for fewer prototype tyres and tests, the release added. (TT)  

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The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has confirmed that Pirelli will serve as the exclusive tyre supplier for all FIA-certified Formula Regional championships from 2026, aligning the series under a unified technical and sporting framework as it introduces a new generation of race cars.

Already the sole tyre supplier for Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3, Pirelli’s expanded remit underscores its pivotal role across the FIA’s global single-seater development ladder. The Italian tyre manufacturer will also provide tyres for both the Formula Regional and the inaugural Formula 4 World Cups at the 2025 Macau Grand Prix, further cementing its presence in top-tier motorsport events.

“We are delighted to have been appointed sole tyre supplier for the FIA-certified Formula Regional championships,” said Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Motorsport Director. “It is a significant endorsement of the worth of our technology, and the quality and reliability of our tyres... It recognises our ability to deliver specific products for every level of driver development.”

Pirelli has supplied Formula Regional tyres since the series debut in 2019. The competition evolved into the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) following a merger with Formula Renault in 2021. From 2026, the championship will see a significant transformation with the introduction of a new car featuring bespoke 15-inch tyres developed by Pirelli to ensure improved performance and parity across all global championships.

“With Pirelli on board as an exclusive tyre partner, Formula Regional is set to thrive and deliver incredible racing and greater sporting parity across our different championships so that we offer young drivers an equal opportunity to show their skill,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “This next phase... reflects our ambition to create a truly modern, competitive, and accessible platform for developing drivers.”

At the 2025 Macau Grand Prix, Pirelli will also supply tyres to the FIA GT World Cup, continuing a long-standing relationship with the prestigious street circuit event, which has served as a proving ground for numerous future Formula 1 stars.

Pirelli’s commitment to developing tailored products for all levels of single-seater racing reinforces its role as a key stakeholder in shaping the future of global motorsport.

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Michelin North America has introduced its latest commercial all-weather tyre, the Agilis CrossClimate 2, designed to meet the increasing demands of working fleets facing rising maintenance costs and challenging road conditions.

The new tyre aims to deliver enhanced reliability, durability, and all-season performance for commercial light trucks, which are essential to keeping goods and services moving across the country. Michelin said it will launch the tyre in 18 sizes, covering more than 90% of the market segment, with additional sizes to follow in October.

“Michelin recognises the dedication of the workforce that keeps life in motion, and we’ve created a tyre that works just as hard,” said Pierluigi Cumo, Vice President of B2B Marketing at Michelin North America, Inc. “To deliver every job on schedule, customers need a tyre forged with the same strength and resolve as the dedicated individuals whose drive fuels the community they serve. They are the few who drive the many.”

The Agilis CrossClimate 2 features Michelin’s proprietary CurbGard technology, which offers 70 percent more sidewall rubber than the FirestoneTransforce HT2 to resist curb damage. The tyre also promises up to 35 percent more mileage than the Firestone Transforce HT3 and 35 percent better snow traction compared with the Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse HT, according to Michelin internal testing.

Additional performance comes from Michelin’s SipeLock technology, which includes hundreds of biting edges to enhance traction in difficult conditions. The tyre is backed by a 20 percent longer mileage guarantee and a 60-day satisfaction warranty.

“The Michelin Agilis CrossClimate 2 tyre is the equivalent of rolling up your sleeves and powering through a job. It doesn’t take breaks, and it doesn’t back down,” Cumo said. “From the job site to the highway, this tyre doesn’t flinch. The Agilis CrossClimate 2 tyre approaches every task with the precision and pride of a master craftsman.”

Michelin has positioned the Agilis CrossClimate 2 as a strategic product launch for commercial vehicle operators striving to maximise uptime, manage costs, and enhance driver safety in all weather conditions.

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Kia has selected NEXEN TIRE’s all-season ROADIAN HTX2 tyre as original equipment for its new global pickup truck model, the Tasman. Specifically designed for SUVs and pickup trucks, these tyres will be fitted on vehicles exported to Latin America, offering a balanced combination of on-road comfort and off-road performance.

The ROADIAN HTX2 incorporates NEXEN TIRE's latest proprietary technologies to meet the diverse demands of modern pickup trucks. The tyre features an innovative 3D Kerf pattern that significantly enhances traction and snow performance, along with a specialised heat-dissipating structure engineered for high-load durability at sustained speeds. A specially formulated compound provides exceptional strength, driving stability and wear resistance, specifically optimised for pickup truck dynamics.

To ensure real-world reliability, the ROADIAN HTX2 underwent rigorous testing protocols. The tyre successfully completed cross-validation wear tests conducted in both North America and Korea, demonstrating its long-lasting performance. Additionally, it passed demanding off-road evaluations including navigation through 200 mm-deep surface irregularities and climbing 20 percent inclines, proving its capability in extreme conditions.

These comprehensive tests validate the tyre's exceptional durability and adaptability to Latin America's challenging driving environments, which include mountainous terrain, desert landscapes and winter road conditions. The successful testing results highlight the tyre's strong mileage potential and all-terrain versatility.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “We are seeing tangible results in the SUV and pickup segment thanks to our continued investment in R&D and world-class product quality. By strengthening strategic partnerships with global carmakers, we will continue to bring premium tyre experiences to customers worldwide.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has started the delivery of its ADVAN FLEVA V701 high-performance tyres in size 225/45R19 92W to be used as original equipment for Toyota Motor Corporation’s new Corolla Cross GR SPORT, a sport-oriented version of the compact SUV. The vehicle is set to go on sale in Japan, Europe, Australia and other regions starting August 2025.

The ADVAN FLEVA V701 is designed to deliver sharp handling and driving enjoyment, a core concept of Yokohama’s ADVAN brand. It is engineered for dynamic performance across various driving conditions, including city streets, winding roads and highways. Yokohama has a strong partnership with Toyota’s GR sports car lineup, having previously supplied the ADVAN APEX V601 for the GR Corolla and the ADVAN A052 for the GRMN Yaris.

This initiative aligns with Yokohama Rubber’s medium-term management plan, YX2026 (2024–2026), which focuses on increasing sales of high-value-added tyres. A key part of this strategy involves expanding the use of flagship products like the ADVAN series for performance vehicles and the GEOLANDAR range for SUVs and pickup trucks as original equipment in new cars. The collaboration with Toyota’s GR models underscores Yokohama’s commitment to enhancing its presence in the sporty and premium tyre segments.

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