Kumho Tire USA has launched its inaugural Gaining Traction Programme in collaboration with the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, selecting four competitive racers who each call Colorado home. These drivers share five years or fewer of racing experience on Pikes Peak, yet have demonstrated exceptional skill, passion, and a fearless approach to the mountain’s unique demands.

Matus Huska of Parker will compete in the Pikes Peak Open division aboard his 2010 Audi TTS, bringing four years of experience to the climb. Earl O’Maley from Colorado Springs steps up in the Open Wheel division with three years under his belt, driving his 2015 O’Maley Special Spec V. Ernie Ramirez of Aurora returns for his second year in the Time Attack division piloting a 2013 Mitsubishi Evolution, while Arvada’s Ben Ryan, an old-school racer, enters the Pikes Peak Open division in a 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner after previous Time Attack entries in 2023 and 2024.

Through this inaugural programme, Kumho Tire USA provides the racers with financial support, a supply of KUMHO V730 tyres and driver development resources. Beyond on-track benefits, the drivers will gain visibility by participating in an autograph session at the Kumho Tire booth during Fan Fest in downtown Colorado Springs, offering direct engagement with racing enthusiasts and media.

The KUMHO V730 tyre is engineered for competitive driving environments, maximising grip and handling through a racing compound that combines ultra-high grip synthetic resins with fine carbon black. Its high-strength carcass and optimised footprint design work together to manage lateral cornering forces while enhancing endurance and longevity.

Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, "Our investment in these four talented Pikes Peak drivers goes beyond mere sponsorship; it's about fostering the next generation of motorsport champions and helping them navigate the unique demands of this legendary race. Each of the selected participants demonstrates remarkable potential and a passion for racing that aligns perfectly with Kumho Tire's spirit of innovation and performance. We look forward to seeing them leverage our most advanced, high-performance tyre to achieve new milestones in their competitive careers."

Melissa Eickhoff, CEO, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, said, "Pikes Peak has long been a proving ground for talented drivers, and it's exciting to see a programme that invests directly in emerging competitors from Colorado. Through this partnership with Kumho Tire, these four drivers have the opportunity to grow their careers while contributing to the Colorado legacy that has defined the Race to the Clouds for more than a century."

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MAXAM Tire has expanded its MS453 PRO line with the release of a new 24.00R35 size, designed specifically for rigid dump trucks operating in severe mining and aggregate environments. The premium tyre offers improved TMPH and TKPH capabilities alongside higher load capacity to boost productivity and extend service life under extreme conditions.

Engineered with a three-star casing to support heavy-haul rigid trucks, the new MS453 PRO model features an innovative self-cleaning two-stage tread void design that increases ground contact and grip for superior stability. Multiple tread compound options allow customisation to various site requirements, while a unique shoulder tie bar reduces lug deflection and stabilises the tread shoulder. Reinforced sidewalls, robust bead construction and enhanced steel belts deliver maximum puncture resistance.

With reduced void length to optimise the footprint and wear characteristics, the 24.00R35 addition strengthens MAXAM’s reputation as a reliable partner for global mining operations. The company continues to provide practical and advanced tire solutions that maximise performance where it matters most.

Jimmy McDonnell, VP – Sales & Marketing, MAXAM Tire, said, “At MAXAM, we know that mining & quarry operations demand more than just a tyre; they demand a solution that yields higher load capacity along with reliability that drives productivity. The new 3-star 24.00R35 MS453 PRO reflects our commitment to providing customers the confidence to take on tougher demands while lowering their total operating costs.”

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Goodyear is heading back to the lunar surface as part of a major new space initiative. Under NASA’s Artemis programme, the tyre manufacturer will equip Lunar Outpost’s Pegasus Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) with specialised tyres designed for astronaut missions scheduled to begin in 2028.

The Pegasus vehicle is built for the harsh conditions of the Moon’s South Pole, where extreme temperatures, rocky ground and low gravity pose constant challenges. Goodyear’s lunar tyres will help astronauts travel longer distances and conduct scientific work safely, relying on engineering developed from decades of Earth-based and space-based experience.

Lunar Outpost leads the vehicle’s development alongside General Motors, Goodyear and Leidos. This partnership combines expertise from multiple industries to support the next phase of human exploration, aligning with Goodyear’s broader goal of leading tyre innovation both on Earth and in space.

Chris Helsel, Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, said, "From breaking land speed records to traversing the Moon's surface to pushing the limits of the world's toughest race circuits, Goodyear innovations have been helping people travel safely on their own journeys for more than 125 years. Goodyear tyres first left tread marks on the Moon during the Apollo mission, and since then, Goodyear technology and the people behind it have kept making tyres worth bragging about."

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Tana Oy, a Finnish environmental technology company specialising in manufacturing mobile solid waste shredders, screens and landfill compactors, has unveiled a new digital tool called Tana Wingman, designed as an operator assistant for its line of TANA shredders. The system transmits live hopper camera footage and real-time equipment metrics directly to machine operators, with the stated goals of improving on-site safety and boosting processing efficiency. This digital assistant allows for more attentive monitoring of the shredding action and faster reactions to fluctuating feed conditions.

The solution is available as an optional upgrade for TANA Hammerhead and TANA Shark models, merging visual oversight with performance data on a tablet interface positioned inside the loading machine. Operators gain immediate access to critical readings without exiting their cabin, which promotes quicker judgments, consistent material flow and a safer work environment. A notable feature is its self-contained design, as Tana Wingman functions entirely on-site without relying on cloud servers or an internet link, keeping all data local.

This release strengthens Tana’s wider strategy of delivering smarter waste management through connected machinery, embedding practical intelligence directly into daily operations. By adding this tool to its digital suite, the company continues to focus on practical, machine-level enhancements rather than cloud-dependent solutions.

Retrofit kits are available for existing D series TANA Hammerhead and TANA Shark shredders, while new machines can receive the system during production. The setup uses a local Wi-Fi connection between the shredder and any commercial Android tablet running the Tana Wingman application, downloadable from the Google Play Store, with no need for proprietary hardware. Among the reported benefits are superior hopper visibility, fewer interruptions to leave the cabin, safer feeding practices, reduced risk of loader damage, transparent production capacity readouts and fully localised operation. Further details are accessible through authorised Tana distributors.

Petteri Tiainen, Product Marketing Manager – Digital Solutions, Tana Oy, said, “Tana Wingman gives operators immediate access to the information they need exactly where they need it. By combining a live hopper view with machine data, it supports faster decision-making, smoother material flow and safer day-to-day operation.”

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Citira, a Sweden-based company specialising in circular tyre management, has reached an agreement to acquire the Swedish truck and bus maintenance firm Malte Månson from the private equity group Accent Equity. The combination of Citira’s tyre expertise with Malte Månson’s vehicle servicing is designed to create a convenient, full-service offering for heavy vehicle fleets initially in Sweden, with further expansion planned across Europe.

For 108 years, Malte Månson has operated as a renowned independent maintenance partner for truck and bus operators throughout Sweden. The company has established a strong reputation for reliable day-and-night service, comprehensive drivetrain and ancillary equipment repairs and a warm customer approach. In 2025, the firm reported revenues of SEK 773 million (approximately USD 82.31 million).

The transaction remains subject to standard closing conditions and regulatory approvals, with finalisation expected in the third quarter of 2026. Following the deal, Staffan Lindewald and his fellow members of the management team are set to become co-owners of Citira.

David Boman, CEO, Citira, said, “Together with Malte, we can build a unique service offering for heavy vehicle fleets and users, delivering convenient and sustainable uptime, with only one point of contact for the customer. I am deeply impressed by the high-calibre team at Malte, which will be an excellent fit with our network of tyre shops.”

Staffan Lindewald, CEO, Malte Månson, said, “Citira felt like a natural fit for Malte. We share a position as an independent service-focused challenger. We share the same type of heavy vehicle customers for which we provide complementary services. With Citira, we can reach more customers, provide additional services to our existing ones and accelerate Malte’s growth journey.”

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