Darlington Raceway and Goodyear announced a partnership on the entitlement of the spring NASCAR Cup Series race as part of the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR on May 9.

The official name of the race will be the Goodyear 400. In support of the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR, Goodyear will once again replace the yellow “Eagle” logo on the sidewalls of its racing tyres with a vintage “Blue Streak” sidewall design.

In keeping with the race weekend’s throwback theme, the Blue Streak tyres will include white Goodyear lettering and a white logo that reflect the design of NASCAR tyres used in the 1960’s and 1970’s. “Goodyear is one of the most iconic brands in the history of motorsports, so we are proud to name our spring NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway the Goodyear 400,” said Darlington President Kerry Tharp.

“Goodyear has been a part of many monumental moments in Darlington Raceway’s storied history. We look forward to writing a new chapter with Goodyear as part of the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR.” Goodyear has a rich history at Darlington Raceway as the company conducted its first official NASCAR tyres tests at the track in 1954 and earned its first NASCAR victory in the 1959 Southern 500® with driver Jim Reed.

The Goodyear 400 will mark Goodyear's first race entitlement in North America. “Goodyear is honored to be a part of the Official Throwback Weekend, a tradition that drivers and fans look forward to each year,” said Karen Maroli, Goodyear's vice president of marketing. “Goodyear and NASCAR have a shared legacy that spans six decades and multiple generations, and the throwback nature of the Goodyear 400 allows us to celebrate the accomplishments of the past while also showcasing the incredible talents of drivers today.” (TT)

Bridgestone is supplying Custom-engineered Alenza A/S tyre with ENLITEN Technology to select models of the 2021 Nissan Rogue as an OE supplier.

The Nissan Rogue is the first vehicle in the U.S. and Canada to feature tyre with Bridgestone’s ENLITEN Technology.

Bridgestone is supplying the Alenza Sport A/S tire with ENLITEN Technology in sizes 235/65R17, 235/60R18 and 235/55R19 for the 2021 Nissan Rogue in North America.

ENLITEN Technology contributes to improved fuel efficiency by reducing tyre weight and delivering low rolling resistance. Tyres with ENLITEN Technology also require fewer raw materials to be produced, helping to deliver environmental benefits. In addition to its sustainable advantages, ENLITEN Technology is designed for enhanced vehicle handling.

“We are continuously working to advance our products, services and solutions to deliver new value for our customers and society,” said Shannon Quinn, president, original equipment, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas. “Supplying the 2021 Nissan Rogue with our Alenza Sport A/S tyre with ENLITEN technology is a testament to our commitment to these efforts and our longstanding relationship with Nissan.”

Hankook Tire has launched the Dynapro HPX, a summer tyre designed for SUVs and all-wheel-drive vehicles. Compared to its predecessor, the Dynapro HP2, the Dynapro HPX boasts improved safety, comfort, and durability. 

The Dynapro HPX features a new material compound and an enlarged contact patch to deliver even wear and longer life. Thanks to new 3D GripControl sipes, the tyre also offers enhanced wet braking and handling. Hankook says the model brakes 15 percent faster and handles seven percent better in wet conditions than its predecessor.   

The tyremaker also focused on comfort, using knurling technology to reduce road noise. The Dynapro HPX is available in sizes ranging from 16 to 19 inches.

“With the Dynapro HPX, we are presenting the newest member of our tyre family, which is specifically designed for the different requirements of SUVs and all-wheel-drive vehicles,” says Sanghoon Lee, President and COO of Hankook Tire Europe. “We are proud to be able to offer our customers a tyre with very high mileage without any compromise on comfort and safety.”

Yokohama has started delivering tyres to the new Impreza as original equipment (OE) in North America. 
The new Impreza cars will have AVID S34 tyres (size P225/40R18 88V).

The AVID S34 belongs to the AVID series of all-season tyres for passenger cars sold in the North American market, and it features the “M+S” (mud & snow) marking on its sidewall.

The AVID S34 tyres’ wide tread ensures a larger contact area, providing stable driving performance not only on dry roads but also on snow. In addition, the tread pattern design features a large number of grooves that effectively grip the surface of snowy roads and improve the vehicle’s safety and performance in snowy conditions. The tyres’ structure also has been enhanced to reduce vehicle wobble during lane changes.

Frog Bikes, a UK-based manufacturer of premium children’s bicycles, has unveiled an innovative partnership with Norwegian tyre company reTyre. This pioneering collaboration will see Frog Bikes equipping its bikes with sustainable tyres from 2025, marking a significant step in the cycling industry's journey towards sustainability.

Jerry Lawson, Co-founder of Frog Bikes, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, “We are thrilled to collaborate with reTyre, a brand that shares our passion for innovation and sustainability. This partnership allows us to further our commitment to the environment while providing our young riders with the best possible cycling experience.”

The collaboration is a testament to Frog Bikes' unwavering commitment to sustainability. It focuses on transitioning Frog Bikes’ entire range to reTyre’s fully recyclable, bio-based pneumatic tyres, ensuring a greener future for the cycling industry.

reTyre, known for its groundbreaking approach to sustainable tyre production, utilizes recyclable bio-based materials and innovative manufacturing methods to achieve lower emissions. The company claims its tyres deliver exceptional performance while minimizing environmental impact.

Frog Bikes aims to complete the full transition to reTyre tyres across its entire product line by the end of 2025. This move aligns with growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products, particularly within the children’s goods market.

“Our tyres are made with renewable and bio-based materials that do not need to be vulcanized, meaning that we can easily reuse the material at end-of-life. Our verified Life Cycle Assessments show that we are then able to reduce emissions by 68-82 percent compared to conventional tyres”, says Ben Evans, Commercial Officer at reTyre. “It’s great to work with a brand like Frog Bikes, who embraces changes for the planet’s benefit.”

 Towards Net Zero Since embarking on their sustainability journey in 2019, Frog Bikes has cut emissions per bike by 25 percent. “We’ve achieved this by transitioning to renewable energy, redesigning our bikes to use less material, virtually eliminating plastic packaging, and moving away from air freight”, explains Anna Drew, Head of Sustainability at Frog Bikes.

 “Exploring sustainable materials, like post-consumer recycled aluminium for our frames and partnering with reTyre for lower-emitting tyres, are crucial to our commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and achieving Net Zero by 2050.” “We are excited to present the Frog bike equipped with sustainable tyres alongside our full range of sustainable tyre products at this year’s event,” Evans concludes.