The benefits of this are multiple. First of all, they don’t need to offer the full range of sizes to stake their claim as a racing tyre manufacturer. And I need to stress I’m talking about road car racing, not F1 racers, as those tyres are basically rocket science at this point. Many Chinese factories seem to have launched their racing tyre range for a very specific purpose, as they only have a few sizes, and sometimes very odd ones. For example, I saw a factory with just three different sizes for their racing tyre pattern, and one of them was 255/55R18. Just in case you want to rock your BMW X5 on the racing track, maybe? I can’t help but giggle at the image of drifting SUVs. Secondly, they don’t even need to be very good at it, or to be able to make very innovative products. It’s much easier to develop a product for a very specific purpose and just make it ‘good enough’, without engaging in the top five percent where all the heavy investment and R&D is needed to churn out those milliseconds that make all the difference for the top performers. Actually, when catering to the segment that just wants to burn tyres – drifters, for example – the usually all-important grip factor suddenly becomes negligible. And offering a budget option is attractive to those burning tyres on their own bill.

Design wise also racing tyres are very different from regular car tyres, in that they’re basically slicks with a flashy looking single lightning groove from close to the centre to the edge. Hard to make that design truly unique, but that also means that nobody can be blamed when designing something a bit too similar to something already on the market. Function before looks in this case, I’m sure. And in terms of rubber compounds, there are usually two or three different ones, depending on specific client needs, and they’re made to order. The hardest compounds are naturally for the drifters, and the softer ones for track racing.

But, in spite of the designs being simple, compounds not challenging to make, and the fact that the size range doesn’t need to be extensive, launching a racing tyre range still somehow reflects positively on all the regular passenger car tyres in the manufacturer’s range. As if the fact that they can design and produce tyres for high-performance racing machines also means that their standard range offers better handling or on-road performance to vehicles run by weekend warriors or others who might drive a station wagon, but really are race car drivers at heart.

That is, of course, if the Chinese budget manufacturers used this in their global marketing strategy – and in most cases, had one to begin with. The days where Chinese tyres could be sold on price alone are over, as output has far exceeded demand, but it’s striking to see how few have actually invested in their future market shares. For the layman, trying to name five major Chinese tyre manufacturers (or any of their brands) would be a tall order. Trying to name any that produce racing tyres would be even harder. Even for those inside the industry, very few know how many produce racing tyres or other specialised tyre products, because they often produce for a single client and don’t use this in active marketing. And no, a ‘sales manager’ posting a picture on LinkedIn doesn’t count. The brands and tyre manufacturers in China that will prevail are those able to build a global marketing strategy and naturally possess the skills to stay at the front of product development and gradually move out of the ultra-budget segment. The rest will learn the hardship of selling cheap tyres on price alone when China isn’t cheap anymore. (TT)

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Pirelli returns to the Nürburgring for the 2026 edition, building on strong results from the previous year. In the SP9 class for GT3 cars, several high-profile entries have selected Pirelli P Zero tyres, including the Porsche entries from Dinamic, three Aston Martins from Walkenhorst and Dörr’s number 69 McLaren featuring a Michael Schumacher tribute livery. A historic BMW Z4 GT3 and numerous GT4 cars, such as Dörr’s number 59, are also equipped with Pirelli rubber.

Beyond sharing Pirelli P Zero tyres, some cars will also display the manufacturer’s signature yellow and black colours through special liveries. The two Dinamic Porsches, one Walkenhorst Aston Martin and Dörr’s number 59 will race with these designs, highlighting a deep technological collaboration with Pirelli. For wet conditions, crews have Pirelli Cinturato tyres available, while the GT4 cars use standard DHG and WHB tyres designed for all GT categories.

AUTO BILD will celebrate its 40th anniversary at the Nürburgring 24-hour race, welcoming selected guests inside the Pirelli Hospitality area in the paddock.

Matteo Braga, Pirelli Racing Activity Manager, said, “The Nürburgring has traditionally been a benchmark for everyone and the ideal track on which to test innovative and demanding solutions, as well as an opportunity to consolidate our research work side by side with professional partners who this year have chosen to celebrate our collaboration by bringing Pirelli colours onto their liveries. In this edition of the 24 Hours, the level of competitiveness and the record number of cars entered will make the weekend particularly demanding. As always, I expect a closely fought race in every category, full of uncertainty and open to every possible outcome until the very end. We are supporting combative, high-quality teams that have everything they need to make their mark.”

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) recently hosted the ‘Sri Trang Exclusive Night 2026’ at the Hard Rock Cafe Chidlom in Bangkok. The gathering served as a gesture of gratitude towards the company’s global customers and business partners while showcasing STA’s future vision centred on artificial intelligence, innovation and sustainable development within an atmosphere of international camaraderie.

The event featured senior leadership, including group Chief Executive Officer Veerasith Sinchareonkul, executive directors Chaiyos Sincharoenkul and Vitchaphol Sincharoenkul, Sri Trang International CEO Lee Tristan Chee-Zen and Chief Marketing Officer Nattee Thiraputhbhokin. Together, they welcomed partners from numerous countries worldwide.

A central theme, ‘Empowering AI’, highlighted STA’s strategic direction to integrate AI and data analytics across supply chain management, market analysis and customer solution development. This approach aims to respond accurately and flexibly to shifting global markets. STA also reinforced its role as a collaborative business partner, working with customers to solve problems, enhance efficiency, reduce risks and build sustainability throughout the supply chain, thereby strengthening Thailand’s natural rubber industry globally.

Additionally, STA underscored its commitment to transparency, traceability and responsible supply chain practices for long-term stability. As the company approaches its 40th year, the event not only acknowledged loyal support but also demonstrated STA’s readiness to advance through technology, innovation, and global cooperation.

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Titan International has formally entered the rubber track market, a strategic expansion of its product lineup long requested by its customer base. The new Titan Rubber Tracks represent the brand’s first move beyond wheels and tyres, specifically engineered for compact track loaders and mini excavators. This launch introduces an entirely new category for the company, aiming to meet rising demand in tracked compact equipment applications.

The role of tracked machinery continues to grow across construction and rental sectors, where traction and uptime are paramount. Rather than follow industry norms, Titan developed a proprietary premium rubber compound for its tracks, prioritising durability through internal and field evaluations. Extensive testing across varied conditions and multiple regions gathered positive user feedback, with thousands of operational hours confirming reliable performance and longevity.

Both equipment dealers and end users stand to gain from the new line. Dealers receive a high-quality track solution suitable for recommendation, stocking and service support, while operators benefit from a design focused on minimising downtime. The launch encompasses nearly 60 SKUs spread across five tread patterns, fitting over 950 machine models and more than 1,500 specific fitments.

Tread options address mixed surfaces, soft ground, high-impact job sites and general-purpose use. Inventory will reside at Titan’s Des Moines facility to ensure prompt service for OEM and aftermarket needs. Following internal previews at Titan University 2026 and a public debut at the 2026 National Farm Machinery Show, Titan Rubber Tracks are now available for ordering.

Travis Little, General Manager, Ag, Construction and Industrial, said, “Our customers have been asking for Titan to enter this space, but we needed to make sure our tracks are as tough as our tyres. We’ve combined our rubber and engineering expertise to develop a rubber track option that meets our standards and works for our customers. We could have entered the rubber track market sooner, but we wanted to take the time to launch a product worthy of the Titan name. By working with our rubber compounding and engineering teams, we focused on providing a track designed for long-term performance, and we’re confident this is the product our customers have been looking for.”

Chris Smith, Product Engineer, Agriculture, Construction and Industrial, said, “Across all field tests, we have no reports of carcass delamination, guide separation or structural failure, even beyond the above-average expected hours in multiple cases. Testing was also conducted at blue-chip OEM manufacturers where Titan Rubber Tracks exceeded testing requirements on internal durability and high-stress conditions testing.”

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Ralson has reached a production volume of one million units for its truck and bus radial tyres. This accomplishment arrives only three years after the brand’s entry into the American market and roughly five years following construction work on its dedicated TBR facility, which began during the most severe period of the pandemic.

Demand from commercial fleets operating in over 70nations has fuelled the brand’s rise. Users have consistently rated the TBR product line as delivering high-end performance at a cost-effective price. To support this customer base, Ralson currently maintains two American warehouses in Savannah and Newark, enabling replenishment within two to three days for dealers and fleets across the country.

The tyre lineup meets United States fleet engineering standards and comes with a competitive seven-year, three-retread warranty. Products cover long-haul, regional and vocational uses. Following the one millionth tyre, Ralson plans a large capital investment to more than double its TBR output. The expansion will increase warehousing, partner programmes and dealer support across North America.

Brian Sheehey, President, Ralson Tire North America, said, “The first million was about conviction – in the product, the process and the people who built it. We started this plant when the world was standing still. We earned every mile since. The next million will be about acceleration: deeper dealer partnerships, broader SKU coverage and continuing to give fleets a reason to choose us on every spec sheet.”

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