Tyrexpo show goes to Mexico

Following the outstanding success of the Tyrexpo Asia 2023 Show in Singapore during March 2023, Tarsus Group are now looking to expand their horizons in the global tyre and automotive aftermarket industry by staging the very first Tyrexpo Americas Show on the 5th and 7th December, 2023.

This inaugural event will be held at Centro Citibanamex in Mexico City which is recognised as a World Class Convention and Exhibition Center. The show will be professionally presented and managed by the Tarsus Mexico team in the same successful style as the Singapore show.

Tyrexpo Americas is expected to present at least 120 Exhibitors from Mexico, North America, Latin America and other countries from around the world whilst also attracting around 3,000 visiting industry professionals from over 50 countries within a floorspace of over 5,000sqm.

Alwin Seow – TyreXpo Events Director at Tarsus says, “Bearing in mind that the Americas has the fastest current growth demand in the tyre industry, and Mexico is considered the second largest automobile manufacturing activity nation in North America, after United States. Staging Tyrexpo Americas 2023 in Mexico City is an ideal strategic location to announce TyreXpo’s arrival in this booming tire market. The show will incorporate both exhibitors and visitors from tire manufacturing, wholesalers, distributors, dealerships, retreaders and recycling who will be able to experience the very latest technology advancements in the market.”

It is also confidentially anticipated that the show will showcase around 250 different tyre brands (across all market sectors of the tire industry) from approximately 60 countries and as much as 80 per cent of visitors will travel from overseas to witness for themselves the progressive momentum that is currently taking place in the Americas market.

Ms Claudia Valdes, Group Show Director at Tarsus Mexico adds, “We are delighted to be hosting the very first Tyrexpo Americas event in Mexico which will also be endeavouring to arrange around 1,800 business meetings between ambitious international companies on the back of the success of the Tyrexpo Show in Singapore. At the same time, we will be introducing the Tarsus highly successful Hosted Buyers Scheme at the event.”

VIP experience at the 1000 Miglia classic rally

A new competition has been launched to celebrate the partnership between the Vredestein premium tyre brand and the iconic 1000 Miglia classic car rally. Vredestein, which is owned by Apollo Tyres, is offering two exciting VIP experiences for the event, including return flights to Milan and a three-night stay at a four-star hotel.  

On 12 June, the winners will have exclusive access to the paddock where they can get close to all 405 of the priceless classic vehicles participating in the rally during the official pre-race technical check ahead of the race start the following day, for a unique behind-the-scenes experience. On the third day, the winners will gain access to the 1000 Miglia Village before enjoying exclusive trackside access to witness the exciting start of the rally.

To enter the competition, details must be submitted before 30 April 2023 at Ready? Set… Win!

Known as “the most beautiful race in the world”, this year’s 1000 Miglia will take place over five-days and cover over 1000-miles. The rally will support and celebrate the nomination of Brescia, the starting point of the race, and Bergamo as the Italian Capitals of Culture for 2023. The rally will see the classic cars then travel to Rome and finish back in Brescia.

The Vredestein brand has been involved with 1000 Miglia since 2017, when it became the event’s first official tyre partner. This year, the official Vredestein team will comprise four cars: a 1955 Porsche 356 1500 Speedster, a 1955 Salmson 2300 Sport, 1954 Fiat 1100/103 TV Coupé Pininfarina and a 1954 Fiat 1100/103 TV Berlina Mille Miglia Original.   

One Vredestein-backed team will also be taking part in the 1000 Miglia Green, which follows the same route as the classic 1000 Miglia, but with electric vehicles. In its fifth year, the event is the first regularity race for alternative fuel vehicles, bringing the pioneering spirit of the 1000 Miglia into a zero-emissions format.

Backed by over 110 years of experience in the tyre market, the Vredestein premium tyre range encompasses a wide selection of products created specifically for classic and vintage cars. The Sprint Classic, Sprint+, Snow Classic, Grip Classic, and Transport Classic all combine traditional styling with very modern performance characteristics to optimise safety, comfort and driver satisfaction.

Davanti secures distribution in Brazil

Davanti Tyres has established a new, exclusive distribution partnership with major Brazilian tyre importer GF Pneus.

With more than 30 years’ heritage in the Brazilian market, GF Pneus is one of the 5 biggest tyre importers in the country, importing more than 120 containers per month.

The company is expanding with a new 14,000 sqm warehouse, holding more than 70,000 tyres, to bolster its nationwide distribution set up. 

Amilcar Lanzon, Davanti sales representative for Latin America, said:

“Brazil is considered for any tyre manufacturer the jewel in the crown of South America - Brazil and Mexico are the largest economies in Latin America.

“GF Pneus is without question one of the main importers of tyres in Brazil. I had the opportunity to be in Brazil and see the great work that they do - they have a team of young people who know what they want in the world of tyres and we are sure that this will be a long lasting partnership.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our brand. Without a doubt Davanti Tyres has found a great partner in that country.”

Anderson Heiderscheidt from GF Pneus, also commented on the new partnership:

“Since last year, when Amilcar started talking to us, I looked into Davanti as a brand and the really great work around the countries that it's present in. Davanti board members are humble and big visionaries, working with a high-quality product, and a fantastic team for promoting the brand around the world.

“For us, it is a huge pleasure to start this partnership and be the exclusive Davanti distributor in Brazil. We will do strong work together here.”

GF Pneus plans to increase their Davanti distribution over the next few months, with marketing support from the international and UK team.

Mintex Racing expands MINI Challenge support

Braking specialist TMD Friction UK has expanded its support of the Vertu Motors MINI Challenge for the 2023 season, with its high-end Mintex Racing braking brand again providing the specification friction material across the field.

The MINI Challenge has two classes, with its high-speed JCW category offering drivers a stepping stone into the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), and the exciting Cooper Trophy class for newcomers, which features close racing throughout the field.

As well as providing brake pads to all race cars this year, Mintex will have higher brand visibility across the JCW and Cooper grids, with increased branding on all cars set to compete in 2023.

Drivers in the JCW championship will run Mintex branding on the number plate and front splitter, with half the Cooper Trophy field also displaying the Mintex logo on the number plate.

Richard Barton, category manager for Mintex Racing and Classic at TMD Friction, said: “The Vertu Motors MINI Challenge is not only an exciting feeder championship into the BTCC but also the optimal proving ground for Mintex to demonstrate its racing credentials and superior braking performance.

“We’re delighted to expand our partnership for the new season and showcase the brand amongst the highest tier of national circuit racing. Mintex brake pads and discs are engineered to provide friction stability and consistently high performance over a wide temperature range and stopping distances, so they’re the perfect partner to such a high-octane racing series.”

Antony Williams, promoter of the Vertu Motors MINI Challenge, said: "We are delighted to once again be able to count on the support of Mintex for the season ahead.

"They have been a part of the ultra-competitive racing that we’ve seen in recent years, and we look forward to more of the same across both the JCW and Cooper classes in 2023."

At all seven race weekends the MINI Challenge JCW shares a stage with the BTCC, with the season getting underway at Donington Park from 22-23rd April. Rounds follow at Brands Hatch from 6-7th May, Snetterton from 20th-21st May, Oulton Park from 17th-18th June, Knockhill from 12th-13th August, Silverstone from 23rd-24th September, and the championship finale at Brands Hatch GP from 7th-8th October.

To find out more about Mintex Racing products, visit https://mintex.com/mintex-racing/?lang=en-gbr. To find out more about the Vertu Motors MINI Challenge, visit: https://www.minichallenge.co.uk/.

Vredestein Comtrac 2 wins Promobil group test

The Vredestein Comtrac 2, a premium summer tyre developed for light commercial vehicles, has taken top spot in a group test of summer tyres conducted by Promobil, Germany’s largest website for mobile homes and motorhomes.

The Promobil team evaluated six different products from leading European tyre manufacturers, fitting them to a Ford Transit motorhome before conducting a series of challenging dynamic tests. The Vredestein tyre was ‘highly recommended’ and placed first overall by the independent test team, who praised its exceptional performance on both wet and dry roads.

The Comtrac 2 secured first place for emergency braking in the wet, helping the test vehicle return to a standstill from 80km in just 36.7 meters – a meter less than the next best-performing tyre and almost a car length shorter than the worst performing tyre. The Comtrac 2 also topped the rankings for acceleration and handling in the wet, impressing testers with its “outstanding cornering safety and good aquaplaning prevention.”

Success for the Vredestein tyre continued during the dry testing; the tyre achieved first place in braking performance (100-0 km/h) and handling when pushed to the limit on the test track. Across all surfaces, testers acknowledged that the Comtrac 2 “remains clearly at the top” for safety when compared to the other evaluated tyres.

Daniele Lorenzetti, Chief Technology Officer at Apollo Tyres, said: “Summer tyres remain in high demand among motorhome users in many European markets, and Vredestein tyres have attracted a large and loyal customer base. We will continue to invest in product development within this category to ensure Vredestein tyres continue to deliver premium performance characteristics and high levels of safety at an accessible price point.”

The Vredestein Comtrac 2 is a summer tyre originally developed for use on commercial vehicles, and widely used by motorhome users. Its robust and durable construction and high stability when driving with substantial loads makes it perfectly suited for a wide range of heavy-duty applications.

To find out more about the Vredestein Comtrac 2 range, visit: https://www.vredestein.co.uk/car-suv-tyres/products/1469-COMTRAC-2/

Davanti and Dan Zelos continue partnership

Davanti Tyres, one of the UK’s leading mid-range tyre brands, has renewed its partnership with MINI CHALLENGE racer, Dan Zelos. The 2023 season will be the fourth year Davanti has sponsored the former MINI CHALLENGE Champion.

The 24-year-old is ready to take on the 2023 season with a fighting spirit and the reputation of being one of the most successful drivers in MINI CHALLENGE history. Although defending his crown in 2022 didn’t go to plan due to various misfortunes across the season, Davanti Tyres and Zelos are looking forward to leading the way, starting at Donington Park on 22 April 2023.

With a new year comes a new look and this season Zelos’s livery on his orange and black MINI JCW features striking Davanti branding on the side and rear panels, spoiler and bonnet, as well as on his helmet and race suit.

Sean Maddocks, Davanti Sales Director for UK & Ireland said: “We admire Dan’s unrelenting commitment and high achievements in his motorsport career. He faced a lot of setbacks last season but he’s back fighting and we’re supporting him all the way.

“As a British-owned tyre manufacturer, we are proud to be continuing our long-term partnership with a British racer and wish him all the best on track this year.”

Commenting on the partnership, Dan Zelos added: “It is an honour to continue flying the Davanti Tyres flag in 2023. It will be the 4th successive year of racing in my orange and black MINI JCW and we are ready to hit the ground running.

“After lifting the championship trophy in 2021, as a team we always knew that the results would be hard to replicate, but I am feeling as recharged as ever and I can’t wait to get back on track to show everyone we mean business and to be ‘Leading The Way’ with Davanti once more!”

The action will get underway at Donington Park on 22/23 April – stay up to date with Dan’s progress on Davanti Tyre’s social channels.

Point S returns to CV Show with strengthened programme

• Point S Tyre & Autocare will showcase its strengthened fleet programme at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show

• Fleet partners of Point S enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that maximises efficiency and reduces downtime

• Visitors to the show can also see a demonstration of the network’s exclusive online fleet management system

• “We have developed our fleet programme so that offers a competitive and cost-effective solution for fleet managers across the UK, and we are very excited to share it with visitors to this year’s event.” – Tony Valentine, Point S UK Fleet Manager

Point S Tyre & Autocare, the UK’s leading independent tyre dealer and car maintenance network, has announced that it will exhibit at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

Visitors to stand 5F80 will be able to meet members of the Point S team and find out more about the network’s fleet programme, as well as its exclusive online fleet management system. Delegates will get their first glimpse of the new online system, with demonstrations available on request. 

Point S UK Fleet Manager, Tony Valentine, said, “We are delighted to be exhibiting again at this year’s CV Show. Last year, we introduced the Point S network to the fleet market and had some very positive early conversations with visitors to the stand. Since then, we have developed our fleet programme so that it offers a competitive and cost-effective solution for fleet managers across the UK, and we are very excited to share it with visitors to this year’s event.”

As well as promoting the benefits of its fleet programme, Point S will be displaying its own-brand Point S Summer and Point S 4 Seasons car and van tyres on its stand, while also giving visitors the chance to find out more about the network’s competitive multi-brand tyre supply. For the truck operators in attendance, International Tyres, Point S’ co-exhibitor and supplier partner, will be showcasing its class-leading Fortune truck tyres.

Point S operates a network of over 300 independent tyre dealers and car maintenance sites across the UK. For the past 18 months, the network has focused on building a fleet programme that gives fleet managers a credible and cost-effective alternative to traditional models. The network’s fully trained technicians take a consultative approach that ensures fleets get the most out of every vehicle, helping to maximise efficiency and reduce downtime.