Renowned Scottish businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Farmer, founder of Kwik-Fit, passed away peacefully at his home in Edinburgh at the age of 84, according to a family statement issued on Friday.

A veritable titan of the tyre industry, Sir Tom established the Kwik-Fit chain of garages in 1971. Before being sold to Ford Motor Company in 1999 for more than GBP 1 billion, the company grew to become the largest independent tyre and automotive repair specialist in the world, with over 2,000 locations across 18 countries.

The influence of Sir Tom was not limited to the automobile industry. His varied financial skills were demonstrated by his major roles as a director of Scottish Power and MyTravel Group. He has always been a football fan and owned majority stakes in Hibernian Football Club for 28 years before selling it to American billionaire Ron Gordon in 2019.

His family stated that Sir Tom's charity will be remembered and that his life and profession impacted many facets of Scottish and UK life. According to the businessman's family, he was happy to be an uncle to his three brothers, three sisters and numerous nieces and nephews. “More than anything, Sir Tom was a family man. Born in Leith, Edinburgh, in 1940, he was the youngest of seven children. He frequently spoke of the love, care and attention that was bestowed upon him by being the youngest in such a large family,” said the statement.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced that a car equipped with its premium ADVAN tyres has secured a landmark victory in the SP9 PRO-AM class at the 53rd ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, held from 19–22 June in Germany. The winning car, the No. 65 HRT Ford Mustang GT3 entered by Haupt Racing Team (HRT), delivered an exceptional performance, finishing fourth overall – the highest ever for a PRO-AM team – while claiming top honours in its class.

The SP9 PRO-AM category features a mix of professional and amateur drivers competing in the premier SP9 class. The HRT Ford Mustang GT3 demonstrated remarkable consistency, maintaining a top-10 position throughout the gruelling 24-hour endurance race. This triumph also marked the first major European victory for the Ford Mustang GT3, further highlighting the performance and reliability of Yokohama’s ADVAN racing tyres.

Beyond this achievement, Yokohama Rubber and HRT continue their collaboration in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), where the team will again rely on ADVAN tyres in upcoming races, including the sixth round in August. The Nürburgring 24-Hour Race, held on one of the world’s most demanding circuits, serves as a key battleground for leading tyre manufacturers. Yokohama Rubber has a strong legacy in the event, with three overall victories to its name.

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Frost & Sullivan has officially recognised Linglong Tire as the world's largest original equipment tyre supplier for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) in 2024, based on its sales performance. NEVs, encompassing both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), saw Linglong provide over nine million tyres to major automakers, including Hongqi, BYD, Geely and Dongfeng Nissan. The company’s NEV-specific tyres feature low rolling resistance, reduced noise levels and superior grip, tailored to meet the unique demands of electric and hybrid vehicles.

Beyond its global NEV leadership, Linglong Tire also dominated China’s passenger car tyre market in 2024. This success was driven by its dual-engine strategy, focusing on product excellence and sales expansion. The Linglong Sport Master line, known for its premium quality, played a key role in boosting market share across all major segments. Strategic collaborations, such as its partnership with JD Car Maintenance, along with an optimised nationwide distribution network, further fuelled sales growth. These achievements solidify Linglong’s position as a key player in both domestic and international tyre markets.

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Hankook Tire demonstrated its technical excellence at the 2025 Hankook Berlin E-Prix, hosting Rounds 13 and 14 of the 2024/2025 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The event marked a pivotal moment in the season, with Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy securing crucial victories that reshaped the championship battle. Oliver Rowland retained the lead in the drivers' standings with 184 points, though Pascal Wehrlein remains a strong contender with 125 points. Meanwhile, TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team has extended its advantage in the teams' championship, now holding 226 points.

The Tempelhof Airport circuit, with its rugged concrete surface originally designed for military aircraft, pushed tyres to their limits. The abrasive track conditions tested grip, durability and braking performance across two intense race days. Hankook’s GEN3 Evo iON Race tyre, engineered exclusively for Formula E’s GEN3 Evo cars, delivered outstanding results. Its specialised compound and tread design ensured consistent traction and thermal management, even as track temperatures fluctuated. Drivers praised the tyre’s stability in high-speed corners and under heavy braking, as well as its ability to handle the unpredictable grip levels caused by off-line dust accumulation.

DS Penske driver Maximilian Günther said, “It gave me the consistency I needed across both races – and that kind of trust in a tyre is key at this point in the championship. Racing here on home soil always means a lot to me – so to feel that level of confidence in the car and tyres was really special.”

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The Tyre Recovery Association has announced the date and venue for the 2025 Briefing Day event. As per the official statement, the UK tyre recycling’s premier event will be held on 16 September 2025 at Ardencote Hotel, located in Warwickshire’s Shakespeare’s country.

Participation is free for media representatives, TRA members and its industry partners and regulators. For other participants, a nominal charge of GBP 70.00 plus VAT per person is applicable, which includes buffet lunch and refreshments.

The Outline Programme is as follows:

• KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Georgia Elliott-Smith, CEO, Fighting Dirty

• MARKET AND DATA INSIGHTS
Astutus Research

• TACKLING ILLEGAL WASTE SHIPMENTS
The EA National Environmental Crime Unit

• PROPECTS FOR PYROLYSIS – THE UPDATE
Weibold Consulting

• OPPORTUNITIES FOR RUBBERISED ASPHALT
The European View – ETRA

• A NEW FUTURE FOR RETREADING
Vaculug Tyres

• SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL – A MAJOR ELT OPPORTUNITY
Wastefront Limited

• POINTS OF VIEW

• RESOLVING THE EXPORT PROBLEM
George Eustice, Penbroath Consultants

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