Dunlop Sport Maxx offers grip, handling and steering precision
In just under two weeks the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship bursts into life over 10 rounds, on some of the UK’s leading tracks; from undulating Knockhill in Scotland, to the ultra-fast Thruxton in Hampshire.
The stresses and strains inflicted on the rubber ensures the tyres need to offer optimum performance throughout each race and in all weather conditions. Tested mid-way through 2015, and with the same construction as last year’s Medium specification tyre, the next generation ‘Dunlop Sport Maxx BTCC Soft’, will make its race debut in the opening round at Brands Hatch on 3rd April.
The next generation ‘Sport Maxx BTCC Soft’ will offer drivers improved stability under braking and even greater consistency throughout a race distance. The Soft tyre must be used in one race at each round (weather dependant).
Tested on a range of cars at Snetterton last summer, the final validation came at a cold Donington Park in November aboard three very different race winning cars, those of Sam Tordoff (BMW), Colin Turkington (VW) and Matt Neal (Honda). Heading into the opening race of the season, the twisty nature of the Brands Hatch Indy circuit means the BTCC drivers will enjoy stable high-speed handling with enhanced cornering control, something that’s crucial in door handle-to-door handle racing.
Dunlop Motorsport’s UK Events Manager, Michael Butler, outlined the objectives of the new tyre: “Dunlop has had tremendous success in open tyre competition last year – winning the European Le Mans Series with Greaves Motorsport. This next generation BTCC tyre uses materials that have been proven in that championship winning tyre in some of Europe’s toughest endurance races.
“The BTCC season involves a wide variety of circuits, cars and temperatures and our goal is to have two tyres that can perform strongly over a race distance – but depending on the circuit, one tyre will always be the optimum one. At Snetterton, we tested in 30c track temperatures and at Donington in 12c temperatures and we are confident that we have developed a range of BTCC tyres that have the versatility to suit all circuits and climates” continued Butler.
The Soft and Medium tyres will continue to be identified by white Dunlop letters (soft) and yellow and black Dunlop lettering (medium) on the sidewall.
Butler added: “This is the third upgrade to the Sport Maxx BTCC range in two years showing that, even in one-brand championships, we are always pushing forward for greater performance”
You can find out when each driver will be using the Soft tyre on Dunlop’s social feeds at 10am on race morning.
