Since the coronavirus pandemic struck us in 2020, we have been adjusting ourselves to the new normal. No concerts, no sporting events, no festivals, no large gatherings, no fun! Well, not exactly. With the lifting of the lockdown, the roads are already loaded up with vehicles and people are trying to escape the chaos to find peace and solitude in nature. A long bike ride is a perfect escape from the bustling city streets and hectic schedules of everyday life.

Tyres are a vital part of the journey and ensuring that they are in top condition before hitting the road for a long road trip is a must. A good set of tyres also mean that the rubber is in good condition which helps with the ride quality of the vehicle.

Before you leave home, Maxxis Tyres recommends these simple steps to protect your vehicle and prepare for a delightful road trip experience: -

• Checking Tyre Air-Pressure: It is imperative to always check the tyre air inflation pressure of your vehicle in advance, as correct air pressure plays a key role in balanced braking, maximum grip and maximum tyre life. The part of the tyre in contact with the road is called the 'footprint'. Incorrect tyre pressures will cause a lack of traction, rapid wear and shorter tyre life. Ensure your tyres are filled with recommended air pressure as per your requirements – load- Solo/Dual Riding. Recommended air pressure can be checked by going through the ‘Vehicle Owner Manual’ or ‘Tyre Information’ sticker placed over the vehicle (fuel Tank/chain Set). Always make sure to use valve caps as it protects the valves not only from dirt and dust but also prevents air leakage.
• Checking for adequate Tread Depth: Proper tread depth helps to prevent tyres from aquaplaning/skidding and makes riding safer especially during wet weather conditions. Therefore, it is always advised to check the tyre tread depths of your vehicle. All we need to do is compare the tyre tread’s depth with ‘TWI: Tread Wear Indicator – Bars’ found in-between the tread grooves. If the tread depth has or nearly reached the TWI – raised bar height, then the tyre needs to be replaced and it will not be safe to ride, especially for longer routes where we require more traction due to high speed.
• Continuous Inspection of Tyre's Age: You can always check your vehicle’s tyres' age by simply searching for the four-digit -manufacturing code found on their sidewall. The first two number tells us the manufacturing week and last two numbers tell us the manufacturing year. Tyres are recommended to be replaced if they are more than 10 years old, no matter how much tread depth is left.
• Find and fix slow air-leakages: If you find your vehicle’s tyre deflating after every second day or every week, it may be due to slow gradual air leakage caused by minute cuts, rim bends, faulty puncture repairs, damaged valve or stem etc. This should be checked and resolved before you start your journey.
• Visual Inspection for cuts/damages: Visually inspect your vehicle’s tyres for any kind of crack or cut or bulge. If you find any, it is advised to show and discuss with a tyre expert of the nearest authorised dealer counter.
• Carry Emergency Tools: For emergencies, you should always carry a tyre inflator or a plug-in puncture repair kit to deal with issues involving tyre punctures.

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”