Bridgestone Launches Semi-slick Potenza Race Tyre

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 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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    Zeekr 001 Electric Sedan To Run On Continental PremiumContact 6 Tyres

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      Cadillac's LYRIQ-V Electric SUV To Run On Continental PremiumContact 6 Tyres

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        Hankook Tire And BRABUS Unveil New Brand Film

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          Nexen Tire’s N’Fera Sport Tyre Supplied As OE To Global Automakers

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          Nexen Tire has continuously increased its supply of original equipment (OE) tyres to international automakers over the years, and their most recent collaboration with luxury automaker BMW Group emphasises the company's rising industry awareness.

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          As of 2024, Nexen Tire distributes OE tyres to 118 models of international automakers, having begun delivering OE tyres to luxury manufacturers in 2016. This accomplishment is the result of Nexen Tire's ongoing R&D expenditures to create high-quality goods that highlight its state-of-the-art technology. By utilising virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the business also spearheads tyre development and intends to deepen its alliances with international automakers.

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