Giti Tyre Dominates Convoy in the Park 2023 with Thrilling Truck Racing and Celebrity Appearance
- By TT News
- August 31, 2023
Donington Park witnessed a spectacular gathering of truck and racing enthusiasts at this year’s Convoy in the Park event, where Giti Tire emerged as the focal point of excitement. With over 750 attendees from across Europe, the event showcased a captivating display of truck races, highlighted by the debut of legendary Honda TT racer John McGuinness MBE in the world of truck racing.
The star-studded event saw John McGuinness, renowned for his achievements in the world of motorcycle racing, take the wheel in his first-ever truck races. Behind the Giti-branded Team Oliver truck, McGuinness participated in all four races of The International Truck Prix (ITP). Despite challenging wet conditions, he impressively held his own in front of a massive crowd of more than 100,000 fans.
A notable figure in the truck racing scene, Martin Gibson, Giti Tire’s Manager of the EU Testing Centre and Motorsport UK, returned to the ITP races. He drove the Giti MAN TGX truck, continuing his success from the previous year with an impressive performance that included three podium finishes, securing second and third place.
Simultaneously, the fourth round of the British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC) captivated the audience with five exhilarating races. The Giti MAN TGX, driven by Michael Oliver, and the VOLVO VNL truck, skillfully piloted by Stuart Oliver, stood out on the track adorned in vibrant Giti Tyre Motorsport colours.
Notably, Giti Tire is the Official Partner and Exclusive Tyre Supplier to the BTRC. All competing trucks are equipped with Giti Race-Tuned v1 global competition truck tyres in size 315/70R22.5. The superior quality of these tyres was on full display as the Giti MAN TGX recorded its fastest lap times of the weekend during the final race, showcasing their durability and performance.
McGuinness said of his experience: “It’s certainly very different to racing a motorbike, but I have had great support from Team Oliver and Giti Tire, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Thanks to everyone who came out to watch the team compete.”
Convoy in the Park drew large crowds of truck and racing aficionados. The event treated attendees to a mesmerising array of truck displays, manufacturer exhibits, stunt shows, live music, and entertainment for children, creating a truly unforgettable experience.
Manish Rathor, Product Marketing & Technical Service Manager for Giti Tire MEA (FZCO), Dubai, said: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude and thanks to the entyre team of Giti UK and Giti EU for inviting the Middle East team to experience the largest truck racing event in the UK.
“Middle Eastern customers and officials were all thrilled after seeing the excellent performance of Giti truck racing tyres on the circuit and wish to thank the entyre team for the hospitality and organising such a great event.”
“What a fantastic weekend, the hospitality from Giti was second-to-none and the racing was so exciting for the family, they can’t wait for next year,” said Scott Butler, Depot Manager at Sol Tyres.
Jake Whitwell, Business Development Manager at Dexel, added: “What a great event and very well represented by Giti Tire. My Customers all left with a smile on their faces from a truly fantastic day, including the racing of course.”
Westlake To Showcase New Generation Truck Tyres At IAA Transportation 2026
- By TT News
- August 14, 2026
Westlake will present a new range of commercial truck tyres at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, as it expands its Gen II portfolio for European fleets.
The company said it would introduce new products developed to improve rolling resistance, fuel efficiency and mileage performance, in collaboration with Interpneu and Pneuhage Fleet Solution .
The latest developments focus on two product lines: the Long Run series, designed to reduce rolling resistance, and the PRO series, aimed at high-mileage applications.
The Long Run range includes the WSL2 steer tyre, WDL2+ drive tyre and WTL2 trailer tyre. Westlake said the WSL2 and WDL2+ achieve EU Tyre Label Class A for rolling resistance. The tyres are designed for long-haul operations, with an emphasis on fuel efficiency and extended service life.
The WSL2 steer tyre is designed to support stable handling and high mileage, using a tread design and compound aimed at reducing heat generation and rolling resistance. The WDL2+ drive tyre focuses on mileage, traction and efficiency, incorporating a wider tread design and low rolling resistance compound.
The WTL2 trailer tyre is intended to provide durability and stability in trailer applications, combining a low rolling resistance compound with a tread design aimed at extending service life.
Alongside the Long Run series, Westlake will showcase its PRO series, developed for fleet operations where durability and mileage are priorities. The WTR PRO trailer tyre features a wider tread design and wear-resistant compound, aimed at improving mileage and ensuring consistent wear.
The four new tyres — WSL2, WDL2+, WTL2 and WTR PRO — will be available for order during the event.
Westlake said it would also present selected Gen II commercial tyres as part of its broader portfolio for European fleet applications.
IAA Transportation 2026 will be held from 15 to 20 September in Hannover, Germany.
Apollo Tyres Launches Truck-Bus Radial Tyre For Mixed-Service Operations
- By TT News
- August 14, 2026
Apollo Tyres Ltd has introduced a new truck-bus radial tyre aimed at mixed-service applications, targeting fleet operators running rigid tippers across highways and off-road terrain.
The company said the Endutrax MD HD tyre has been developed for vehicles operating in demanding conditions, where usage typically involves a combination of on-road and off-road activity . Such applications expose tyres to heavy loads, rough terrain and abrasive surfaces.
Apollo Tyres said the product is designed to improve durability, traction and uptime, with the aim of reducing downtime and supporting fleet productivity.
Rajesh Dahiya, vice-president and business head at Apollo Tyres Ltd, said: “Fleet operators need tyres that can perform consistently under demanding conditions while keeping vehicles on the road. Apollo Endutrax MD HD, the new TBR tyre combines advanced engineering with extensive field validation to deliver higher durability, dependable traction and longer service life for mixed-service applications.”
The tyre features an optimised casing design intended to reduce heat build-up, alongside improvements in bead and belt durability. The company said the product delivers 45 per cent higher bead durability and 25 per cent higher belt durability, while an advanced tread compound offers 10 per cent greater resistance to cuts and chips.
A tread pattern inspired by a bear’s footprint is designed to enhance traction on loose and rugged terrain.
The tyre has undergone validation at the company’s Global R&D Centre, followed by field testing in operating conditions. Apollo Tyres said the results demonstrated performance in durability, traction and load-carrying capability.
The launch expands the company’s commercial vehicle portfolio, with a focus on improving uptime and total cost of ownership for fleet operators.
Nexen Tire will supply its N'FERA Sport tyres as original equipment (OE) for the newly launched Audi A6 premium sedan, expanding its partnership with the German carmaker.
The tyres will be supplied in 18-inch and 19-inch sizes for the latest generation of the Audi A6, the company's flagship premium sedan.
The N'FERA Sport is an ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyre designed for high-performance vehicles. According to Nexen Tire, the tyre uses high-strength internal materials to distribute contact pressure and load evenly, supporting handling and braking performance in both dry and wet conditions.
The tyre received a "Good" rating in the summer tyre test conducted by German automotive publication Auto Bild, with strong scores in dry and wet braking, rolling resistance, pass-by noise and mileage. It also achieved a "Good" rating in the 2025 summer tyre test conducted by ADAC, where it performed well in driving safety and comfort.
Nexen Tire began supplying OE tyres to an overseas vehicle manufacturer in 2012 and has since expanded its customer base to include several global automotive groups, including Volkswagen Group. The company previously supplied OE tyres for the Audi A3 and the eighth-generation Audi A6.
The latest agreement extends that relationship to the redesigned Audi A6 and is expected to support future replacement tyre demand as vehicles enter the aftermarket.
"The supply for the all-new Audi A6 demonstrates that NEXEN TIRE's technology and quality continue to be recognized by the world's most demanding premium brands," said John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO of NEXEN TIRE. "We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with global premium automakers and expand our OE supply capabilities moving forward."
Continental Secures OE Approval For Škoda Elroq With Aerodynamic EcoContact 7 Tyre
- By TT News
- July 30, 2026
Continental has secured original equipment approval for its EcoContact 7 summer tyre on the all-electric Škoda Elroq. The German automotive supplier will supply the SUV with specific front and rear fitments, namely size 235/50 R20 for the front axle and 255/45 R20 for the rear, both designed for 20-inch rims. Each tyre includes the FR marking, signifying an integrated rim protection rib that reinforces the sidewall to guard against curb damage.
To enhance the vehicle's efficiency, Continental incorporated a distinctive aerodynamic feature inspired by golf ball dimples. Small indentations on the tyre surface, branded as the ‘Aerodimple’ structure, are engineered to reduce air turbulence around the sidewalls. This design principle, which mirrors the dimples on a golf ball that minimise drag, helps lower energy consumption by requiring less force to maintain forward motion.
Beyond rolling resistance and aerodynamics, the tyre development focused on acoustic comfort. The tread pattern benefits from optimised block spacing and angles specifically tuned to mitigate noise frequencies generated during low-speed urban driving. This acoustic engineering results in a quieter ride environment for both the vehicle occupants and the surrounding community.
Continental has finalised the tyre lineup for the Škoda Elroq with the EcoContact 7 in specifications 235/50 R20 100H FR and 255/45 R20 101H FR. The summer tyre is also formulated with a specialised rubber compound and construction to deliver low rolling resistance, high mileage and reduced noise levels, contributing to the overall efficiency and refinement of the electric SUV across numerous global markets.
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