Donington Park witnessed a spectacular gathering of truck and racing enthusiasts at this year’s Convoy in the Park event, where Giti Tire emerged as the focal point of excitement. With over 750 attendees from across Europe, the event showcased a captivating display of truck races, highlighted by the debut of legendary Honda TT racer John McGuinness MBE in the world of truck racing.

The star-studded event saw John McGuinness, renowned for his achievements in the world of motorcycle racing, take the wheel in his first-ever truck races. Behind the Giti-branded Team Oliver truck, McGuinness participated in all four races of The International Truck Prix (ITP). Despite challenging wet conditions, he impressively held his own in front of a massive crowd of more than 100,000 fans.

A notable figure in the truck racing scene, Martin Gibson, Giti Tire’s Manager of the EU Testing Centre and Motorsport UK, returned to the ITP races. He drove the Giti MAN TGX truck, continuing his success from the previous year with an impressive performance that included three podium finishes, securing second and third place.

Simultaneously, the fourth round of the British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC) captivated the audience with five exhilarating races. The Giti MAN TGX, driven by Michael Oliver, and the VOLVO VNL truck, skillfully piloted by Stuart Oliver, stood out on the track adorned in vibrant Giti Tyre Motorsport colours.

Notably, Giti Tire is the Official Partner and Exclusive Tyre Supplier to the BTRC. All competing trucks are equipped with Giti Race-Tuned v1 global competition truck tyres in size 315/70R22.5. The superior quality of these tyres was on full display as the Giti MAN TGX recorded its fastest lap times of the weekend during the final race, showcasing their durability and performance.

McGuinness said of his experience: “It’s certainly very different to racing a motorbike, but I have had great support from Team Oliver and Giti Tire, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Thanks to everyone who came out to watch the team compete.” 

Convoy in the Park drew large crowds of truck and racing aficionados. The event treated attendees to a mesmerising array of truck displays, manufacturer exhibits, stunt shows, live music, and entertainment for children, creating a truly unforgettable experience.

Manish Rathor, Product Marketing & Technical Service Manager for Giti Tire MEA (FZCO), Dubai, said: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude and thanks to the entyre team of Giti UK and Giti EU for inviting the Middle East team to experience the largest truck racing event in the UK. 

“Middle Eastern customers and officials were all thrilled after seeing the excellent performance of Giti truck racing tyres on the circuit and wish to thank the entyre team for the hospitality and organising such a great event.” 

“What a fantastic weekend, the hospitality from Giti was second-to-none and the racing was so exciting for the family, they can’t wait for next year,” said Scott Butler, Depot Manager at Sol Tyres. 

Jake Whitwell, Business Development Manager at Dexel, added: “What a great event and very well represented by Giti Tire. My Customers all left with a smile on their faces from a truly fantastic day, including the racing of course.” 

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Hyundai has selected Continental's PremiumContact C tyre as original equipment for its all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 9 SUV. This 21-inch tyre carries an XL marking, signifying its enhanced load capacity, a critical feature for supporting the substantial weight of an electric SUV. The design includes a rim protection rib to help prevent damage to the vehicle's wheels.

As a premium summer tyre developed for robust SUVs, the PremiumContact C combines safety, comfort and durability. Its more robust construction directly addresses the need for a higher load-bearing capacity. An innovative tread pattern, which incorporates adaptive sipe technology, is central to its performance, providing precise handling and reliable grip on both dry and wet road surfaces, even under full load. Furthermore, an extended contact patch promotes optimal pressure distribution against the road, contributing to shorter braking distances and reduced rolling noise.

A key feature for the IONIQ 9 is the integration of ContiSilent technology. This innovation actively dampens road noise within the passenger cabin, reducing intrusive sound levels by up to nine decibels for a noticeably quieter and more comfortable driving experience. This specific tyre line, sized 285/45 R21 113 V XL FR ContiSilent, has received original equipment approval for the vehicle across numerous global markets.

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Hankook Tire has been chosen as the original equipment manufacturer for the Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron SUV models, fitting them with its Ventus evo SUV tyre. This partnership covers a wide range of specifications, with six different tyre sizes from 17 to 20 inches available for the immensely popular Tiguan and five sizes for the five or seven-seater Tayron crossover. A key identifier for these specially developed tyres is a circled plus sign on the sidewall, signifying they are built to Volkswagen’s precise standards and are approved for factory installation on new vehicles.

The collaborative development process, centred at the Hankook Tire Technology Center in Hannover, prioritised a harmonious blend of comfort and dynamic performance. A major focus throughout the design phase was achieving the lowest possible noise level. Through meticulous tread design and an innovative compound in the tread material, the Ventus evo SUV attains a noise level below 66 decibels. This performance is crucial, as it helps the overall vehicle meet Volkswagen's strict maximum noise requirement of 68 decibels, significantly enhancing cabin quietness.

Further technical hallmarks of these premium tyres include Opti Pitch and Kerf designs, which work to minimise road noise. The implementation of Dual Pitch technology varies the number of tread blocks on the inner and outer sections of the tyre, a feature that enhances steering precision during cornering while also contributing to a quieter ride. Engineers carefully calibrated the tread height to ensure these acoustic benefits do not come at the expense of critical performance areas such as traction, braking, cornering stability or the tyre’s overall lifespan.

Final validation of the Ventus evo SUV involved rigorous testing that extended beyond laboratory simulations to demanding real-world tracks, including the challenging Nürburgring Nordschleife. This extensive testing protocol confirmed the capabilities of all tyre sizes. Furthermore, Hankook tailored the driving character of the tyres by size; the 17-, 18- and 19-inch variants are engineered for superior comfort, while the 20-inch version offers a distinctly sportier feel. Production for the European market is handled at Hankook’s manufacturing facility in Rácalmás, Hungary.

Klaus Krause, Vice President and Head of Europe Technical Centre at Hankook Tire, said, “The provision of original equipment for the two SUV models Tiguan and Tayron is further proof that the Volkswagen Group considers Hankook Tire one of its top development partners in the tyre sector. We have succeeded in perfectly matching our premium summer tyre, Ventus evo SUV, in every tyre size to the driving characteristics of the two models and achieved our goal of combining the requirements for high comfort over long distances with a sporty character.”

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Sumitomo Rubber Industries has announced that its Thailand-based affiliate will provide original equipment tyres for the newly unveiled Toyota Hilux Travo. The vehicle will be fitted with the specially optimised Dunlop Grandtrek A/T31 tyres.

These tyres were meticulously engineered to meet the demanding and varied conditions the Hilux Travo is expected to encounter. Through enhancements to their shape, internal structure and tread pattern, the tyres achieve a refined balance of travel performance, durability and comfort. A newly developed compound and a unique tread block sequence work in concert to deliver capable on-road and off-road performance while also ensuring quiet operation.

Furthermore, the dedicated tyre design aims for improved fuel efficiency and reliable handling on wet road surfaces.

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Continental said it is supplying a range of summer and winter tyres for Porsche’s all-electric Macan, with the SUV offered with the SportContact 6 for high-performance driving, the CrossContact RX for comfort and all-season use, and the WinterContact TS 860 S for winter conditions.

All tyres feature the XL marking, indicating increased load capacity. The models approved for the Macan carry Porsche’s “NE0” sidewall designation.

The SportContact 6, part of Continental’s ultra-ultra-high-performance segment, is designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h. The company said engineers optimised the compound, tread and construction to deliver “exceptional grip and outstanding safety at high speeds”. The tyre features a newly developed reinforcement structure and a tread designed to maximise force transmission.

The CrossContact RX, aimed at drivers prioritising comfort and reduced road noise, combines a specialised tread and siping design with groove geometry intended to improve water clearance and reduce aquaplaning risk. Depending on specification, it is approved for speeds up to 270 km/h, with Macan-specific versions rated V (up to 240 km/h).

For winter use, Porsche recommends the WinterContact TS 860 S, which Continental said provides “maximum control, stability and driving enjoyment” for sports-oriented vehicles. The tyre is engineered to manage instant torque from electric powertrains and features low rolling resistance to help extend driving range.

Continental supplies original-equipment tyres to most of Porsche’s line-up, including the Taycan, Cayenne and Panamera.

Approved tyre sizes for the Macan include:

• SportContact 6 NE0: 295/40 R21 111Y XL; 255/45 R21 106Y XL
• CrossContact RX NE0: 295/35 R22 108V XL; 255/40 R22 103V XL; 295/40 R21 111V XL; 255/45 R21 106V XL; 285/45 R20 112V XL; 235/55 R20 105V XL
• WinterContact TS 860 S NE0: 295/35 R22 108V XL; 255/40 R22 103V XL; 285/40 R21 109V XL; 255/45 R21 106V XL

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