Automotive manufacturers in India noticed how popular the motorcycle racing segment was becoming and started investing in it. One such manufacturer is TVS Motor Company. They began in the 1980’s with their 50cc Mopeds crossing the finish line in 1st place. TVS Racing was established in 1987 and soon became a breeding ground for riders to better their skills and compete at professional levels. With many championship titles under their belt, they have become number one for motorcycle racing and training.

“TVS Racing, the factory racing team of TVS Motor Company, has dominated the Indian two-wheeler Racing domain for close to four decades and led all two-wheeler Racing formats, including Rally Supercross and Road Racing. For each discipline of racing, we work with a different make of tyres. For Road Racing, we use TVS and MRF tyres. Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli and Maxxis are used extensively for Rally Racing and Supercross”, says B Selvaraj, Team Manager, TVS Racing.

Tyres have always been a crucial aspect when it comes to racing. One could have the lightest and fastest motorcycle on the track, but if the tyres don’t perform, well, the race is over for you. So how exactly are racing tyres different from regular tyres? We spoke to Sivaramakrishnan V, Chief Technology Officer, TVS Srichakra to get the right answers. “We supply our Protorq Extreme Zero degree Steel Belted Radials for racing in 300 CC plus category bikes. We are developing a range of tyres for Motocross, and very soon, we will be participating in this segment. Being bike tyre specialists, we do not focus on four-wheel racing. Regular Road tyres used in the commuter segment (100 to 125 cc bikes) are nylon tyres in bias construction, designed for durability, long life, good grip and comfort, which are key performance parameters that the customers look for. Racing tyres are primarily high-performance tyres designed for extreme cornering and limit handling performances with precision manoeuvrability in focus. Thus, the tyre construction is radial with zero degree steel belts and silica compound technology for high-grip performance at extreme speeds”.

But can you use regular stock motorcycle tyres for racing? Well, you could, but your lap times would suffer, and your chances of winning the race will be slim. B Selvaraj clears up a few of these doubts for us, “A tyre in Motorsports is nuanced and distinct from a regular, stock road tyre. We use Dual Purpose and Knobby tyres for Rally and Supercross forms of racing than standard Groove tyres. We look for the configuration and spacing of Knobby tyres in different terrains and off-road applications. Race compound is also different from the standard, regular road tyres. Traction and tyre dynamic performance at extreme conditions is critical during a race than the tyre life and fuel consumption. Slick tyres are the most preferred for Road Racing as they are made of a soft compound with radial construction, which is hugely vital for Road Racing in dry conditions. As an alternative, Groove tyres with enhanced compound and construction can also be used. Special compound tyres with grooves are excellent and safe in wet conditions. We lay more prominence on tractive performance than the life of the tyres and fuel consumption of the motorcycle. We aim to use the softest tyre possible, covering the entire racing distance without deteriorating the tyre’s performance. It is mandatory to use Performance Racing tyres made exclusively in India for Indian National Motorcycle Road Racing Championship (INMRC). In Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) and Indian National Supercross Championship (INSC), both Indian and imported tyres are preferred based on the availability of requires sizes and applications”.

As tyre technology keeps on improving, we should see a change not only in racing tyres but regular road tyres as well. Sivaramakrishnan V says, “Today we manufacture a wide range of 2 Wheeler tyres for Motorcycles, scooters and high-end bikes. We produce tyres in Bias, Cross Belted Radial, Zero degree Fabric radial and Zero Degree Steel Radials. We also produce Special tyres for the Electric Vehicle segment. Our Racing tyres were pitched against the global competition in Indian Racing circuits, and we are happy that our tyres were two seconds faster than the global competition”.

With Indian tyre manufacturers upping their game and investing more into motorsports, this segment will see growth. Investing in motorsports has played a vital role in the R&D that goes into the design and technological inputs of stock motorcycles, making your everyday motorcycle perform ever so better. The potential for motorsports is on a steady incline and you want to be a part of it, there are few schools you can go to - TVS Racing School, Apex Racing Academy, California Superbike School, Honda Ten10 Racing Academy and Indimotard Throttle Wide Open. (TT)

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 The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is convening its annual Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors programme this week, sending industry professionals to Capitol Hill to press lawmakers on policies supporting domestic manufacturing, road safety and sector innovation.

The two-day event, running from 24–25 June, brings together representatives from USTMA’s 11 member companies — including engineers, business managers and marketers — to meet with members of Congress and their staff. The discussions are expected to focus on key legislative priorities such as expanding tyre retreading in the U.S., advancing consumer safety initiatives, and passing a congressional resolution in support of National Tire Safety Week.

“The U.S. tyre manufacturing industry is a vibrant engine of innovation, enabling safe and sustainable mobility for consumers and businesses. Our industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, supporting more than 800,000 jobs and keeping up with evolving consumer expectations on reliability, safety and environmental impact,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO.

The ambassadors, who live in the same communities where the industry operates, are set to highlight how national legislation impacts local jobs and infrastructure. USTMA members operate 55 manufacturing facilities across 16 states and contribute to a $170.6 billion annual economic footprint, the association said.

The event follows a letter sent by USTMA to Congressional leaders in February outlining the sector’s legislative agenda. The group is advocating for increased investment in tyre innovation, transparency measures for consumers, and job creation through infrastructure and sustainability-focused policies.

“Our Ambassadors represent the manufacturing workers who power the industry every day, and we are honoured by their advocacy for the tyre manufacturing industry and the communities it supports,” Luke added.

The initiative reflects USTMA’s broader push to align policymakers with the industry’s goals of maintaining global competitiveness while securing long-term growth for U.S. manufacturing.

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Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian Tyres has been recognised by TIME Magazine as one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025, ranking 98th on the prestigious global list of 500 companies demonstrating outstanding environmental and social responsibility.

The second edition of the rankings, compiled by TIME Magazine in collaboration with data firm Statista, evaluated companies based on verified sustainability commitments, including UN Global Compact membership and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative.

Assessment criteria also included performance ratings from respected organisations such as CDP and MSCI, alongside evaluations of sustainable business practices, transparency, and environmental and social stewardship.

Nokian Tyres has positioned itself as a sustainability pioneer within the tyre industry, driving sustainable development both within its operations and throughout its value chain. The company’s environmental leadership dates back three decades, with its Finnish factory becoming the world’s first tyre manufacturing facility to achieve environmental certification in 1995.

“We create tyres that are safe, innovative and sustainable. Nokian Tyres has been a pioneer in sustainability in the tyre industry for over three decades. As early as 1995, our factory in Finland was the first tyre factory in the world to gain an environmental certification. We are proud of our track record and want our sustainability actions to have a meaningful impact. The most recent example of this is our new factory in Romania, the first full-scale zero CO2 emission tyre factory in the world,” said Paolo Pompei, president and chief executive of Nokian Tyres.

The company’s latest sustainability milestone is its new Romanian manufacturing facility, which represents the world’s first full-scale zero CO2 emission tyre factory, demonstrating Nokian Tyres’ continued commitment to environmental innovation in industrial manufacturing.

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Chinese state-owned enterprise Sinochem has achieved a significant milestone, with its brand value surpassing 500 billion yuan for the first time, according to rankings released at the 22nd World Brand Conference in Beijing.

The World Brand Lab announced that Sinochem ranked seventh on its annual “China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands” list for 2025, with the company’s brand value climbing from 475.906 billion yuan in 2024 to over 500 billion yuan this year.

This marks the 22nd consecutive year that the Sinochem brand has secured a position on the prestigious ranking. The company’s property development arm, Jinmao, also featured prominently, placing 170th with a brand value of 74.186 billion yuan.

The World Brand Lab’s methodology evaluates brand worth through three key metrics: financial performance, brand strength, and consumer behaviour analysis, employing a “present value of earnings method” for valuation. The ranking is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative assessments in Chinese brand research.

Sinochem’s consistent performance has been particularly notable since 2004 when it first entered the top ten of the annual list. Following the establishment of China National Chemical Corporation on 8 May 2021, the enhanced Sinochem brand has maintained its seventh position for four consecutive years, demonstrating sustained growth in brand value and international market recognition.

The company attributed its success to implementing comprehensive brand management strategies aligned with government directives on brand development. Sinochem stated that it will continue to leverage high-quality brand building and valuable brand assets to strengthen its core functions and competitiveness, supporting the company’s long-term development objectives.

The World Brand Conference, now in its 22nd year, serves as a key platform for evaluating China’s corporate brand landscape and tracking the evolution of the country’s most significant commercial entities.

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German tyre major Continental is significantly expanding its presence in the global market for ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres. The company states that the UHP tyres are designed for safe and dynamic driving at high speeds and are available in sizes from 18 inches.

Between 2019 and 2024, the premium tyre manufacturer increased its worldwide sales of UHP tyres in the passenger car and light truck segment by approximately 15 percent. Over the same period, the share of UHP tyre sales across all Continental brands rose from 38 to 52 percent, and to 60 percent for the core Continental brand, up from 46 percent five years ago.

Edwin Goudswaard, Head of R&D, Continental Tires, said, “For us, ultra-high-performance tyres are much more than a technological flagship product – they are a strategic driver of innovation. Their development requires engineering of the highest standard, high-tech materials and precise testing and production processes. At the same time, they demonstrate our solid position in the premium segment and significantly contribute to Continental’s economic strength.”

UHP tyres are claimed to provide excellent grip, precise steering, strong brake performance and high driving stability, primarily used on powerful vehicles such as sports cars, SUVs and luxury saloons. The global demand for UHP tyres is projected to grow by around 9 percent annually until 2029, driven by the increasing popularity of SUVs and the electrification of powertrains. Continental is experiencing particularly high demand for UHP tyres in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in China.

The German brand currently offers UHP tyres across all product segments, including summer, winter and all-season tyres. The flagship product in its UHP portfolio is the SportContact 7. Since its global launch in 2022, the SportContact 7 has won 21 out of 24 independent tyre tests, boasting a success rate of over 87 percent.

The company stated that tyre testers have praised its ‘shortest braking distances under all test conditions’ and ‘very balanced and safe vehicle handling on dry roads and even better performance on wet roads compared with the competition.’ Its precise steering characteristics, reproducible driving responses and excellent grip during sporty driving have also received acclaim.

Continental continues to invest in the development of its UHP products, fostering close collaborations with vehicle manufacturers and tuning specialists like AC Schnitzer and Brabus.

"These partnerships enable us to transfer ideas from the high-performance segment to the mass market,” explained Goudswaard. The High-Performance Technology Centre (HPTC) in Korbach produces high-performance tyres for powerful and technologically sophisticated passenger cars and conducts rigorous testing under realistic extreme conditions.

The SportContact 7 has received original equipment approvals for various models, including the Porsche Panamera, Maserati Levante, Audi RS6 Avant, Polestar 3, BMW 5 Series and BYD Seal. The tyre is available in 120 sizes from 18 to 24 inches and has been developed for both electric and conventional vehicles.

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