Tyre news
Avon’s latest is the 155 SR12 “W” tubeless radial, which completes their range of 82% aspect-ratio radials, suitable for speeds up to 113 m.p.h. and for cars like BLMC 1100s and 1300s, Ford Escorts, Vauxhall Vivas, etc. The 155 SR12 “W” has Avon’s special cling compound for wet-road holding, a wire-braced tread, and segmented centre-pattern blocks with shoulder ribs widened to resist cornering wear and rounded to resist white-line reaction. It fits 4 1/2J rims, has an 8-mm. pattern depth, an economic load of 770 lb. at 27 p.s.i. and a maximum load of 800 lb. at 34 p.s.i.
Uniroyal offer 50% discount to holders of RAC National and International Competition Licences, on Uniroyal tyres used for rallying. They see this as an attempt to assist club drivers and as more fair than sponsoring individual drivers. Uniroyal Rallye “T” and Rallye 180 radials are well known in rally circles. Details from J. W. N. Garrod, Uniroyal Ltd., 62, Horseferry Road, London, SW1, mentioning Motor Sport.
Goodyear have four new racing tyres for 1971. The “D” design is a very stable, closely-knit pattern for F1, sports and saloon cars on dry courses. The “W” tyre is for wet weather. The “K” Goodyear is a slightly more open, all-purpose tyre than the “A” with a higher profile, for wet and dry use. The “A” type is an all-weather low-profile cover, intended for good penetration in the rain but remaining stable on dry tracks.
Dunlop introduced a specially modified SP44 Weathermaster design for the E. African Safari, the improved mud clearance of which was established during the winter at rallycross at Lydden and Cadwell Park. The resultant hand-cut version of the Weathermaster with sections removed at regular intervals round the tread was available for the Ford works cars and for the Datsun and Daf works entries. The tyre’s casing also incorporated modifications which are now used in all Dunlop’s SP44 rally tyre production. For Easter rallying on Bullough’s and Barrow’s Ford Escort TC in Ireland Dunlop developed an entirely new high-speed tyre of low profile, which can be regarded not so much as a specialised rally tyre hut as a high-performance tyre tested in rallying.
Kleber-Colombes. Soon to be introduced to the British market for the first time will be tyres from the French firm of Kleber, well known for their V10 radial tyre. Kleber are, in fact, the second largest tyre producer in France employing over 11,000 people and have a turnover of £75 million. Four of the eight factories in France produce road tyres and the other four have turned over to producing industrial rubber products.—W. B.