Highspeed: New tires for the race track

Dynamic driving at high speeds: racing demands the maximum from tires. High-horsepower vehicles need tires that can take curves at high speed, master fast straights and still offer maximum driving stability. They also have to withstand temperature fluctuations and roll as smoothly as possible on the racetrack as well as on the road. The demands on tire developers are correspondingly high.

Tires for sports cars are high-performance products that have to function optimally under various conditions.

Tire developers benefit from their involvement in racing. Falken, for example, has developed its latest sports tire based on this experience. The "AZENIS RS820" model is based on a belt in hybrid construction with aramid fiber reinforcement for greater driving stability. The tread compound consists of a variety of components, which makes the tire extremely robust and flexible at speeds of up to 300 km/h.

Aramid also reinforces the construction of Michelin's latest hypersport tire for motorcycles.

In the "Power GP2", aramid belt layers ensure driving stability even in difficult road conditions. The tire combines a harder lower layer across the entire width of the tread with a softer upper layer on the shoulder. This ensures higher mileage and stability while providing very good grip. The feeling for the grip level is improved through good feedback.

A major topic in the development of new sport tires is their sustainable nature.

At the beginning of this year, Toyo Tires presented a concept tire with minimized rolling resistance which, according to the Japanese manufacturer, contains 90 percent sustainable materials. The tire is made from renewable raw materials such as butadiene rubber from biomass or silica from rice husk ash as well as recycled materials.

It will be used in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in June 2024. The expected data and findings will be used for further development.

Due to increasing extreme precipitation, the tread design of sports tires is becoming increasingly important. Pirelli, for example, launched a new rain tire on the market at the beginning of the year to improve handling in wet weather.

The design and performance of the "Cinturato WHB" model have been revised especially for GT sports cars. New material compounds combined with greater tread rigidity improve the contact patch and grip. The warm-up time at low temperatures is also optimized without compromising stability in the transition from wet to dry.

The new "ProtouraRace" model from Davanti Tyres also combines control in the wet with very good dry grip. The British manufacturer will be presenting its first racing tire at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2024.

The tire's semi-slick tread pattern is designed to provide outstanding control in wet weather conditions on the racetrack and on the road. The improved carcass thickness and a new tread compound promise more control in corners as well as better braking and acceleration performance. This has already been tested on Formula 1 circuits such as Silverstone and on various sports cars.

Choosing the right tires can make a big difference in racing. The demands on wheels and tires for sporty vehicles are generally increasing. Formula 1, for example, will introduce a more stable rim design from 2024 to prevent tires from detaching from the car after an impact.

THE TIRE COLOGNE 2024 will show what other topics and innovations are occupying the tire industry in this segment. From June 4 to 6, the leading international trade fair will offer an overview of the latest solutions for the racetrack - for more dynamics, mileage and safety.