The J&K Bank presents JK Tyre Rally of Himalayas 2026, recognised as one of the nation's most gruelling rally raids, drew to a close on 30th September following over four days of fierce competition through the high-altitude terrains of Lahaul-Spiti and Zanskar. The event assembled 50 cars and 80 riders, all confronting some of India's most unforgiving mountain routes where precision, endurance and rapid decision-making faced constant scrutiny.

Beginning with a flag-off from Manali on 26 September 2026, participants navigated rugged stretches across Lahaul and Spiti, including the formidable Kunzum La crossing, notorious for its extreme conditions and demanding driving lines. Steep inclines, unpredictable weather and altitude-related pressures placed relentless strain on both machines and competitors, underscoring the rally's reputation for testing speed alongside consistency.

From the outset, Rajiv Yadav asserted his presence by seizing the lead on Day One, building momentum while monitoring strong local challenger Aaryak Rana, who remained a closely watched contender during the early phases. As technical demands intensified, holding position became as vital as pursuing outright pace, with the standings gradually revealing those capable of blending speed with reliability.

A pivotal 72-km competitive stage, later run in reverse, introduced a fresh challenge by forcing competitors to recalibrate braking points, turn-in timing and pacing strategies on familiar ground approached from the opposite direction. A significant setback occurred when Lakhpa Tsering, the 2015 Raid de Himalaya champion, withdrew his Toyota Hilux due to a technical fault, highlighting how mechanical dependability proves as crucial as driving prowess in such events.

Following the reverse stage, Daksh Gill shifted the rally's momentum by clinching the next two stages, starting with the reverse Losar to Gramphu run. The competition then advanced towards Shinku La, climbing beyond 16,500 feet, where control, traction and throttle precision mattered more than raw speed. Gill's capacity to sustain pace in these conditions proved instrumental in shaping the final outcome.

Moving into the Zanskar Valley, competitors encountered one of the event's most punishing phases, featuring a high-speed run across dramatic, desert-like high-altitude terrain. Gill once again displayed remarkable pace and consistency, reaching speeds of up to 200 kmph during the Zanskar stretch, a decisive segment that reinforced the necessity of combining outright speed with control in extreme conditions. The rally ultimately concluded in Padum, the headquarters of Zanskar district.

In the Moto category, Dhritimaan Singh emerged victorious, with Happy Verma as runner-up and Nitish Bharadwaj taking second runner-up. The Xtreme four-wheel class saw Rajiv Yadav and Rohit Gowda triumph, followed by Aaryak Rana and Aditya Sharma as runners-up, while Daksh Gill and Virender Kashyap secured second runner-up. Adventure four-wheel honours went to Soham Hazra and Nirav Mehta, with Santosh HM and Prakash Muthusamy as runners-up, Chandra Mouli and Sri Sakthi Kumar N in third and Sachin Mandhwani with Adhitya Anthony in fourth.

A prize distribution ceremony, featuring regional cultural performances, was attended by dignitaries including Arava Gopi Krishna, IAS, Administrative Secretary, Transport and Housing and Urban Development; Moses Kunzang, Staff Officer to Chief Secretary; Tsewang Dorjai, DGM-cum-Zonal Head, J&K Bank; Rigzin Sangdup, SP, Zanskar; Gulam Mohammed, CEO, Tourism Development Authority and ADDC Kargil; and Sarwar Shehzad, SDM, Zanskar.

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Plaza Tire Service, a prominent tyre and automotive service provider in the Midwest and member of the Sun Auto Network, has expanded its footprint with a new store in Mattoon, Illinois. The addition strengthens the company's presence in the state and offers drivers throughout Central Illinois improved access to trusted tyre and vehicle maintenance services.

The Mattoon location provides motorists with a convenient destination for tyres, preventive maintenance and automotive repair. Customers can choose from an extensive inventory of leading tyre brands while accessing a full range of services, including oil changes, brake service, batteries, alignments, steering and suspension repair and other routine maintenance.

Plaza Tire Service emphasises selection, convenience and value through its Price Match Guarantee and signature 4 Tires in 1 Hour Guarantee, with broad in-stock inventory available for same-day installation. Founded in Missouri in 1963, the company has become one of the Midwest's largest tyre and automotive service providers, operating across five states while combining regional heritage with the resources of the more than 600-location Sun Auto Network.

Rob Kingery, Regional Vice President, Sun Auto Tire & Service, said, "We're excited to bring Plaza Tire Service to Mattoon and introduce more drivers to the convenience, value and trusted service that have defined our brand for more than 60 years. This location allows us to serve the community with the tyre expertise, same-day service and comprehensive automotive care that customers have come to expect from Plaza Tire Service."

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Bridgestone has unveiled the BATTLAX ADVENTURE A42, an adventure motorcycle tyre slated for sequential release across global markets beginning 1 January 2027. Conceptualised as the answer to road-going adventurers, the tyre targets riders who predominantly stay on pavement, aiming to blend peace of mind, economy and comfort. Whether navigating city streets, expressways or winding roads, it seeks to harmonise wet performance and wear life while curbing ride noise to support comfortable long-distance touring.

Adventure motorcycles are prized for their versatility, spanning urban commuting to extended travel. In Europe, demand for tyres in this segment has climbed 45 percent over the past decade. Bridgestone originally addressed this growing category with the BATTLAX ADVENTURE A41 in December 2017, responding to rider priorities such as wet-weather grip during sudden downpours, wear resistance and long-haul comfort.

The new A42 builds on that foundation with measurable gains in three areas. Under straight-line acceleration, tyre slip ratio drops 14 percent versus the prior model, aiding stability in rain. Wear life extends by 18 percent at the front and 25 percent at the rear. A larger contact patch enhances stability and comfort, and internal testing showed a 15 percent reduction in tyre noise.

These improvements stem from new tread compounds, an adventure-inspired tread pattern and optimised construction that carries forward core BATTLAX lineage details with materials tailored to road-oriented adventure bikes. The front compound employs a flexible polymer for road grip, while the rear uses a polymer boosting wear resistance and mileage – both feature tuned silica and carbon content. The aggressive yet refined pattern, inheriting the latest BATTLAX design language, incorporates Pulse Groove water drainage technology and a revised groove layout that raises pattern stiffness, balancing wet performance, wear life and quietness.

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Apollo Tyres Ltd's premium Vredestein brand has reinforced its all-season reputation after the Quatrac Pro 2 and Quatrac delivered strong results across three German group tests by Auto Bild, Auto Bild Allrad and Auto Motor und Sport, with the Quatrac Pro 2 earning Exemplary ratings in both Auto Bild evaluations and the Quatrac securing a Very good rating and a Price Performance recommendation from Auto Motor und Sport.

Auto Bild placed the Quatrac Pro 2 joint second in size 225/45 R 17. Thirty tyres entered wet and dry braking qualification, with 15 advancing to full testing in a Volkswagen Golf and Golf GTI. The tyre produced the best snow performance, with the shortest snow braking distance at 25 metres from 50 kmph, the fastest snow handling at 55.6 kmph and the highest snow slalom lateral acceleration at 2.51 m/s². It recorded the second shortest wet braking distance at 42.8 metres from 100 kmph and the lowest pass-by noise at 69.6 dB(A).

In Auto Bild Allrad's SUV test, the Quatrac Pro 2 finished joint second among 12 products in size 225/55 R 18 on a MINI Countryman, recording the shortest wet braking distance at 51.8 metres from 100 kmph and strong aquaplaning results, sharing second in the snow slalom at 4.70 m/s², recording joint third snow braking at 25.9 metres from 50 kmph, ranking fourth in dry braking at 39.4 metres from 100 kmph and achieving the lowest pass-by noise at 68.2 dB. Launched this year, the Quatrac Pro 2 covers 17- to 24-inch rims, with widths up to 355mm, speed ratings up to 300 kmph and high-load options, while its longitudinal and directional groove tread supports an A wet grip rating.

Auto Motor und Sport tested the Quatrac in size 195/55 R 16 on a Hyundai i20, where it stopped in 30.4 metres from 80 kmph on wet roads, recorded the second fastest wet handling at 88.5 kmph and ranked third in the wet circle at 7.71 m/s². On dry roads the Quatrac recorded the second fastest handling at 115.9 kmph, with testers noting agile steering and stability in avoidance manoeuvres, while it showed balanced snow handling at 88 kmph. Vredestein has been recognised for all-season tyres since the 1990s and now offers one of the market's most comprehensive portfolios.

Yves Pouliquen, Vice President, Commercial EMEA at Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “Drivers choosing all-season tyres want confidence that they can cope with changing conditions throughout the year. These independent test results demonstrate the strength of our all-season range, from the Quatrac for mid-sized family cars and SUVs, to the Quatrac Pro 2 optimised for high-performance vehicles of all types. These products are the result of enduring commitment to the all-season category, as well as our focus on designing and developing tyres in Europe to meet the needs of European drivers.”

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TBC Corporation, one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tyres through wholesale and franchise operations, has expanded its Multi-Mile Tires lineup with the Multi-Mile Matrix 4S, an all-weather tyre designed to deliver dependable, durable traction across diverse terrains and weather conditions. The addition broadens a portfolio that now covers nearly 90 percent of the vehicle market, positioning dealers to address virtually any customer requirement.

The Matrix 4S incorporates an advanced all-weather tread compound paired with a distinctive asymmetric tread pattern for strong grip and stable handling. It holds 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake severe snow certification, while turned tread blocks help minimise road noise for a quieter, smoother ride. The tyre comes in 24 sizes spanning 15 to 20 inches, accommodating a broad range of passenger cars and CUVs.

Multi-Mile, a prominent name in the replacement tyre market, offers touring, high-performance and broad-line products for passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs. Every Multi-Mile tyre is supported by the Mile After Mile Protection Plan, encompassing three-year roadside assistance, three-year road hazard protection and a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.

Rachel Tibor, Chief Marketing Officer for TBC Wholesale, said, “The Matrix 4S adds to a Multi-Mile Tires portfolio that has produced durable, reliable and cost-effective tyres for more than 70 years. Multi-Mile Tires deliver the safety and performance drivers have come to expect and the product options dealers demand. We continue to expand our portfolio to provide the right tyres at the right time for any type of vehicle or application.”

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