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FEATURE FEATURE DUnlop DUnlop Set for the Set for the ‘green hell’ ‘green hell’

Dunlop’s 2012 Hall of Fame

2012 REVIEW MOTORSPORT hall of fame 2012 has been a successful year for Dunlop in both the realms of four and two wheeled championships. Here we take a look back at some of the best and most memorable moments with our 2012 Hall of Fame gallery. 2012 Dunlop was represented throughout the grid in the New World Order German-based VLN Series in 2012 and it was a Dunlop-shod team that would emerge victorious when the championship The 2012 season marked a new dawn for sportscar racing campaign drew to a premature conclusion. with the introduction of the FIA World Endurance VLN The series, which races on the infamous Nürburgring Championship – which would be decided over eight races, Nordschleife and caters from a wide range of from the including the 12 Hours of Sebring and the Le Mans 24 Hours. latest GT3 machinery down to small saloons, featured a Dunlop would have a key part to play in the inaugural hard-fought title battle as teams from the different classes season, with every competitor in the highly-competitive LMP2 looked to secure the overall crown. class choosing to race on Dunlop tyres, while there were also ends part-season entries from Dunlop teams in both LMP1 and Heading into the final round it was Christian Krognes, Dominik Brinkmann and Ullrich Andree who topped the points GTE-Am. in their Dunlop-shod Volkswagen Scirocco GT24. With the LMP1 championship being a two-horse race When the tenth race of the year was then cancelled on between the factory Audi and Toyota teams, the fight for the early safety grounds after freezing temperatures and snow, their LMP2 title would prove to be one of the most enthralling of the record of seven SP3T class wins in nine starts was enough to season. beat pairing Elmar Jurek and Jannik Olivio to the crown. Starworks Star ...but Alongside its championship success, Dunlop also secured some impressive results in the nine races that took place - with The fact that each of the competing teams was using the at least one Dunlop-shod on the overall podium on eight same Dunlop tyres only served to make the class even more occasions. competitive with Starworks eventually coming out on top of There were also three Dunlop victories in nine starts, the first the pile with its HPD ARX-03b. Dunlop of which came thanks to BMW Team Schubert after Dirk Starworks took a stunning overall podium at Sebring and Adorf, Dirk Müller and Jörg Müller took victory in a challenging added victories at Le Mans - where the HPD was the first season opener that was halted early due to fog. Dunlop-shod car home in seventh overall – and in Sao Paulo. The remaining two wins came thanks to Dunlop’s That gave the American team the LMP2 trophy with a race wins development partner ROWE Racing, with Jan Seyffarth and to spare ahead of ADR-Delta – winners on four occasions at Alexander Roloff victorious in round five by less than Spa, Silverstone, Fuji and Shanghai – and Pecom Racing, who four-tenths of a second. The pair were then joined at the wheel took victory in Bahrain. of their Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 by Thomas Jäger to Starworks driver Enzo Potolicchio also finished an win round seven, where they tied the distance record of 42 impressive ninth in the drivers’ standings; the only non-LMP1 laps for a six hour race. driver to achieve the feat and the highest placed man to have However, covering the distance quicker than anyone in the raced on Dunlop tyres. past, the trio did take the honour of winning the ‘fastest’ six “We must congratulate , and their hour event. drivers , Enzo Potolicchio and Stéphane Sarrazin for winning the LMP2 category,” Dunlop Motorsport’s general manager Jean-Felix Bazelin said. “LMP2 features the most cars and the closest racing with everyone on Dunlop tyres, so to have achieved their goal with LMP1 a race to go against this competitive backdrop is a fantastic achievement and we offer them our praise.” For Dunlop’s LMP1 development partner OAK Racing, it would be a challenging season in the premier class despite a positive start at Sebring where Guillaume Moreau was the best-placed petrol qualifier in fifth overall. Sadly, the Judd-powered OAK Pescarolo was forced to start at the back of the grid after failing a stall test and was then put into retirement by engine trouble. Another solid run at Spa also ended in disappointment when suspension failure just minutes from the end meant another DNF. A huge accident in the Le Mans test saw Moreau sidelined with a spinal injury, with the team bringing former Peugeot factory man Frank Montagny onboard for the race only for another engine issue to put the car out. The LMP1 machine would return for the final two races of the season in Japan and China with a new engine and with ex-F1 man Takuma Sato as one of the drivers, and picked up a brace of top eight finishes in class. After showing strong pace and maximising the performance of its Dunlop tyres, the team ended the season fourth in the LMP1 Trophy standings for privateer teams. Dunlop’s other representative came in the GTE-Am class, with the Krohn Racing Ferrari running on Dunlop rubber for the opening three races of the year. Having finished fifth in class at both Sebring and Spa, Nic Jonsson, Michele Rugulo and team boss Tracy Krohn then took second amongst the WEC runners at Le Mans. Le Mans action both sides of the Atlantic American Le Mans Series Dunlop would again be at the centre of some titanic battles on US soil as an enthralling battle for supremacy in the American Le Mans Series was fought throughout the classes. In the premier P1 class, Dyson Racing flew the flag for Dunlop as it took the challenge to HPD against rivals Pickett Racing. Chris Dyson and Guy Smith took the early lead in the points with class victory at Sebring and would also take P1 honours at and Petit Le Mans, while team-mates Eric Lux and Michael Marsal were the first P1 car home in Baltimore. The end result was second in the drivers’ standings for Dyson and Smith, with the team falling just five points short of winning the teams’ title.

GT Level 5 for P2 The highly competitive GT class would take many of the headlines during The P2 class would see victories shared between the two Dunlop- the season, with BMW Team RLL again leading the Dunlop challenge. shod teams, with Level 5 pair Scott Tucker and Christophe The team would take two wins during the season – at Sebring and Road Bouchut beating Conquest Endurance drivers Martin Plowman and America – en-route to second place behind the factory Corvette team in David Heinemeier Hansson to the title. Tucker and Bouchut also the team standings, while fellow Dunlop team Paul Miller Racing ended took an overall victory in Baltimore. the year sixth with its 997 RSR. Race derived Grip and Braking for the road

Euro-zone

Dunlop shod teams featured heavily on the entry list for the and Portimao were replaced by an invitation to join the ALMS , with 14 of the 21 cars that contested finale at Petit Le Mans with four P2 teams making the trip the opening race of the year running on Dunlop tyres. Stateside. Thiriet by TDS Racing would end up being first car Thiriet by TDS Racing took honours at Paul Ricard in the top home after taking third place amongst the P2 cars on an all- New short braking blocks Massive outer New adaptive Light construction P2 class with the GTE Pro battle going to the wire before JMW Dunlop class podium – giving the French team the championship for reduced braking shoulder blocks for compound for enhanced carcass to improve Motorsport edged out fellow Ferrari team JMB to win the season title. Despite missing Petit Le Mans, JMW took the GTE Pro title, distance improved stability grip on wet and dry fuel efficiency opener in France. giving Dunlop championship success in two of the four classes. Calendar changes saw a number of teams invited to join the The series will be re-launched in 2013 with a five-race World Endurance Championship event at Spa where JOTA, beat calendar including races at Silverstone, Imola and the the series regulars to clinch an impressive P2 victory. Ring having been announced. became the second round of the ELMS season with OAK Racing taking overall honours and JMW picking up a second GT Pro success. Proposed races at Brno

www.dunlop.eu Sheddenism As has become the norm, the Dunlop MSA British It would prove to be a big season for the series as many of the leading Championship featured a dramatic battle for championship honours as teams switched to cars built to the BTCC’s Next Generation Touring Honda drivers and went up against the MG Car regulations – with 22 of the 30 race wins going to NGTC-spec cars. of in the race for the crown. Those cars were all fitted with Dunlop’s latest 18–inch tyre, which proved After 30 races around the UK it was Shedden who emerged on top to be a strong performer in all conditions. of the pile to lift the title for the first time; the Scot winning on eight occasions to beat outgoing champion Neal by 21 points with Plato left to settle for third. The three title protagonists shared 19 wins between them, while there were also wins for Rob Collard, , Andrew Jordan, Dave New Radicals Newsham, Aron Smith and Frank Wrathall – the final three all winning for the first time. Four Also on British shores, the Dunlop Radical UK Cup title was another that wasn’t won until the finale with Tony Wells and James Littlejohn going from fourth to first during the final weekend of the 2012 season at Snetterton. Wheels The series - which features a Masters Class for drivers using the Radical SR8 and a Supersport Class for the Radical SR3 – featured bumper grids throughout the campaign, most notably for the events at Spa, Good Silverstone and Donington which saw the UK series race Dunlop’s four-wheeled activities alongside its European counterpart. around the globe incorporated Heading into the final rounds of the year it was a wide range of championships, Supersport driver Colin Noble who held the points lead all of which produced thrilling but the championship momentum was with Masters Supercar Showdown action once again during the duo Wells and Littlejohn after they took victory in the course of the 2012 season. penultimate meeting of the year at Donington. Back in Europe meanwhile, the Supercar Challenge powered by Dunlop again featured The pair duly won the first race on the final weekend its usual eclectic mix of machinery, all of which were competing on Dunlop tyres. of racing when Littlejohn battled ahead of fellow The overall title would be decided in dramatic fashion between GT Division title winner title contender Zac Chapman to ensure that the Barry Maessen and Sport II Division champion Rob Nieman – both of whom ended the championship wouldn’t be decided until the final race. year having scored 289 points in their respective classes. Needing to win to take the title, Wells edged out Manhal As a result, the overall championship was decided on race wins, with seven successes Allos to secure victory in the final race of the year by for Maessen at the wheel of his Dodge Viper SRT10 GT3 being enough to beat Nieman, just a second – taking the championship crown in the who won five times in class in his Renault Clio. process. Elsewhere, Super GT honours went to Porsche driver Diederick Sijthoff while there was success in GTB for Aston Martin racer Kees Kreijne. Koen Bogaerts and Pieter Soelen clinched the Supersport Division crown by a single point in their BMW after edging out brothers Ferry and Robin Monster while Sports Division 1 was also won by BMW drivers; John van der Voort and Priscilla Speelman being victorious in their BMW 1 Series. The 2013 calendar for the series has already been revealed, confirming a race in Slovakia for the first time at the Slovakia Ring near Bratislava. GT OPEN Open all the Way The Dunlop-supported International GT Open title went all the way to the wire in 2013, with a three-way title fight between ‘YOU BEAUT!’ Kessel Ferrari, Manthey Racing Porsche and Villois Racing Aston Martin, which was only decided after the final race of the season in Barcelona. At the time of writing, the Australian V8 Supercar Championship – Going into the final race of the year, just 15 points covered the top which runs exclusively on Dunlop tyres - has two rounds still to run, three teams in the standings. four drivers still in contention for the title. It was AF Corse duo and Federico Leo who held Defending champion Jamie Whincup remains the man to beat the top spot when the race got underway on a wet circuit, after a at the wheel of his Team Vodafone Holden Commodore with a 296 storm hit shortly before the start. Leo started from the pit-lane but point lead over Ford Performance Racing’s Mark Winterbottom. he and Bruni worked their way forwards into sixth. All of that effort Whincup’s team-mate Craig Lowndes and Will Davison in the wasn’t enough to beat race leaders Nick Tandy and Marco Holzer second FPR car are also still in contention but Whincup remains the (Manthey Racing Porsche) to the crown. In the closing stages overwhelming favourite to lift the crown for a fourth time. however, Bruni made up the two places required to ensure the His apparent march towards the title came on the back of eleven Ferrari pair beat their Porsche rivals to the title by just three points. wins in 26 starts, including a hat-trick at Yas Marina in the Abu Dhabi Leo and Bruni’s championship came after a tough start, where GP support event and a dramatic success alongside Paul Dumbrell they failed to score in three of the first four races. However seven at Bathurst when he saw off the challenge of David Reynolds to win podium finishes – including three wins – were enough to beat Tandy by just three-tenths of a second. and Holzer by just three points, despite the Manthey duo taking five Whincup’s victory in the third race at Yas Marina also marked the victories. 100th for the Holden VE Commodore – making it the first model in Alvaro Barba and Matteo Malucelli (Villois Racing Aston Martin) series history to reach the mark. won on four occasions but would end the year 16 points off top Showing the strength at the front of the field, the four title spot in third. Bruni and Leo also clinched the Super GT title, a point Construction contenders had shared 25 of the 26 wins, with Shane van Gisbergen clear of Tandy and Holzer, while the GTS crown went to Daniel What makes a tyre? Learn the component the only other regular driver to have taken to the top step of the Zampieri and Michael Dalle Stelle (of Kessel Ferrari); the pair finishing parts and the high technology that does podium. the year three points clear of fellow Ferrari driver Stefano Bizzarri. into a racing or road tyre.

MOTO 2 SEASON REVIEW

Traction Without Traction you won’t go forwards. Dunlop and Moto2 team technicians as well as riders explain what’s needed. Marquez Fastest Yet! Moto2’s third season was the fastest yet, with new makes his race lap records at eleven of the 17 rounds. It was also the closest, with nine races won by less than one-second. Three different riders led the World Mark Championship and five won a grand prix. Marc Marquez became a Dunlop World Champion It is against that backdrop, and despite missing for the second time by securing the 2012 Moto2 most of pre-season testing, that Marquez has title in the penultimate round of the season in raised the bar for both season and all-time Moto2 Australia. victories. It was an especially emotional moment for A seven-time winner and title runner-up in his Marquez and his team. The former 125cc World rookie 2011 campaign, Marquez put his winter Champion feared for his career after struggling with woes behind him with victory in two of the opening double vision problems this winter, but returned three rounds, either side of a debut win for Pol better than ever to win eight of the 16 races by Espargaro - who also enjoyed a breakthrough Phillip Island. season in 2012. Marquez said: “It’s an incredible feeling, a dream. The title lead then changed hands three times in When I remember the hard times and the support the next three races - first to Espargaro, then of my family and team, I cannot help but get Thomas Luthi, before returning to Marquez emotional.” following round six at Silverstone. Marquez then went on to deliver one of his Marquez hammered home his Championship greatest grand prix performances at the Valencia advantage with five wins during the middle part of season finale. the season, with the first of his remarkable Starting last on the grid after a penalty, the comeback rides occurring at Motegi, when the 19-year-old Spaniard perfectly exploited his Dunlop Suter star was almost last into turn one, before rain tyres as he rode all the way through the field to riding to victory. first place and a ninth victory of the season! As well as Marquez (9) and nearest rival “I surprised myself!” smiled Marquez. “When I Espargaro (4) the other 2012 race winners were saw it was raining I had my doubts because it is Andrea Iannone (2), Thomas Luthi (1) and Alex de harder to pass, but I kept pushing at the limit on Angelis (1). In terms of all-time Moto2 wins, every lap. If the title was in play I would have stayed Marquez tops the list with 16, followed by eight for Round Event Winner Dry / Wet Track Dunlop Front Tyre Dunlop Rear Tyre New Title Leader o) put, but I wanted to see if I could get lucky...” Iannone. Temp( Lap Prior to joining Moto2, Marquez had won ten 1 Losail, Qatar Marc Marquez Dry 24 125/75R17 Moto2 302 195/75R17 Moto2 ATR10 3855 Yes Marc Marquez 125cc races and the 2010 Championship with 2 Jerez, Spain Pol Espargaro Dry-Wet 15 120/75R17 Moto2 302 195/75R17 Moto2 3854 Marc Marquez Dunlop. “125cc taught me to be quick on the bike. Moto2 and 3 Estoril, Portugal Marc Marquez Dry 32 120/75R17 Moto2 302 195/75R17 Moto2 4886 Yes Marc Marquez Moto2, however, is the category of consistency,” 4 Le Mans, France Thomas Luthi Wet 14 125/80R17 KR191 414 190/55R17 KR393 414 Pol Espargaro explained Marquez. “In Moto2 I have learnt to think 5 Catalunya, Spain Andrea Iannone Dry 40 125/75R17 Moto2 302 195/75R17 Moto2 3838 Yes Thomas Luthi on the bike: sometimes you cannot win and must Dunlop pick up as many points as possible.” Moto2, featuring 600cc four-stroke motorcycles, 6 Silverstone, Great Pol Espargaro Dry 17 125/75R17 Moto2 302 195/75R17 Moto2 3838 Yes Marc Marquez Like the previous Moto2 Champions, Toni Elias replaced the 250cc two-stroke World Britain and Stefan Bradl, Marquez is now moving on to Championship at the start of 2010. 7 Assen, The Marc Marquez Dry 26 125/75R17 Moto2 302 195/75R17 Moto2 3854 Yes Marc Marquez MotoGP. Dunlop, which had long dominated the 250GP Netherlands category, was the natural choice to support the 8 , Marc Marquez Dry 43 125/75R17 Moto2 302 195/75R17 ATR14 3838 Yes Marc Marquez new class as exclusive tyre supplier, helping create Germany a smooth and successful transition. Dunlop provides equal tyres and technical 9 Mugello, Italy Andrea Iannone Dry 43 125/75R17 Moto2 302 195/75R17 Moto2 3838 Yes Marc Marquez support to the 30+ riders, representing eight 10 Indianapolis, USA Marc Marquez Dry 42 125/75R17 Moto2 302 195/75R17 Moto2 3838 Yes Marc Marquez different Constructors. 11 Brno, Czech Marc Marquez Dry 21 125/75R17 Moto2 717 195/75R17 Moto2 4886 Marc Marquez A shortlist of two (out of three) front compounds Republic and two (out of five) rear compounds are made available for each event, plus an additional 12 Misano, San Marc Marquez Dry 27 125/75R17 Moto2 302 195/75R17 Moto2 3854 Yes Marc Marquez allocation of wet tyres. Marino Tyre development is continuous, as proven by 13 Aragon, Spain Pol Espargaro Dry 22 125/75R17 Moto2 302 195/75R17 Moto2 3838 Marc Marquez the plummeting lap times, with Dunlop bringing 14 Motegi, Japan Marc Marquez Dry 23 125/75R17 Moto2 302 195/75R17 Moto2 4886 Yes Marc Marquez developmental 2013 tyres for testing just one day after the final race of 2012! 15 Sepang, Malaysia Alex de Angelis Wet 31 125/80R17 KR191 414 190/55R17 KR393 414 Marc Marquez While Marquez, Iannone and Bradley Smith move 16 Phillip Island, Pol Espargaro Dry 26 120/75R17 Moto2 302 195/75R17 ATR14 3838 Yes Marc Marquez on to MotoGP, a new intake of young stars will be Australia stepping up to Moto2 for 2013 - led by Moto3 17 Valencia, Spain Marc Marquez Wet 15 125/80R17 KR191 414 190/55R17 KR393 414 Marc Marquez World Champion . MOTO 3 SEASON REVIEW

Chassis vs Tyres Tyres to suit the chassis or chassis to suit the tyres. Learn more from Dunlop’s Moto2 activities with technicians and riders. Cortese Makes Moto3 and Dunlop History Moto3, featuring 250cc four-stroke motorcycles, Sandro Cortese made history by becoming the first replaced the technically outdated (but much loved) ever Moto3 World Champion at Sepang in Malaysia, two-stroke 125cc World Championship, which was during a thrilling debut season for the newest formed in 1949 and long dominated by Dunlop. four-stroke grand prix class. Having been selected as the exclusive Moto3 tyre The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider only needed a supplier, Dunlop was able to provide a crucial link podium to secure his first grand prix crown with two between the past and future of the smallest grand rounds remaining. But in keeping with the exciting prix class during its transition. all-Dunlop Moto3 Championship, Cortese instead Dunlop created three slick tyre compounds for pushed flat-out for victory. Moto3 - a Hard, Medium and Soft - with a shortlist The 22-year-old German passed home star of two front and two rear compounds made at the final turn and won by just available to every rider at each event. A total of 17 0.028s. “I can’t believe I have taken the title with a slick tyres (8 front and 9 rear) are provided for the victory!” grinned Cortese, proudly wearing his yellow six track sessions held, with a separate allocation of ‘Dunlop World Champion’ cap. wet tyres. Cortese then celebrated in style with his first win The three slick compounds not only have to cope as a World Champion - and fifth of the season - at with season-long contrasts in circuit characteristics Phillip Island, but was caught out by team-mate and climatic conditions, but also a vast range of in the wet Valencia season finale. machinery. The Englishman claimed his second grand prix As had been hoped, the new Moto3 class has win with a daring pass on Cortese at the last turn of caught the eye of both mainstream manufacturers the Moto3 season - Khairuddin snatching third from and dedicated race-specialists. Five different types rookie at almost the same moment and of motorcycle celebrated a podium finish, and no completing a podium covered by just 0.114s! less than eleven scored World Championship points. But perhaps the biggest winners have been the fans, who saw 11 out of the 17 races won by less Magnificent than one-second! Roll on 2013… Round Event Winner Dry / Wet Track Dunlop Front Tyre Dunlop Rear Tyre Title Leader Seven Temp(o) 1 Losail, Qatar Maverick Vinales Dry 28 95/75R17 Moto3 M 115/75R17 Moto3 M Maverick Vinales One of Moto3’s main goals was to allow up-and-coming riders the chance to showcase their 2 Jerez, Spain Romano Fenati Dry-Wet 14 95/75R17 Moto3 M 115/75R17 Moto3 M Romano Fenati talent - and with seven different winners from 17 3 Estoril, Portugal Sandro Cortese Dry 34 95/75R17 Moto3 M 115/75R17 Moto3 M Sandro Cortese events, few can argue that it has not been a 4 Le Mans, France Louis Rossi Wet 11 95/70R17 KR189 WB 115/70R17 KR389 WB Sandro Cortese success. Cortese’s title victory was achieved through 5 Catalunya, Spain Maverick Vinales Dry 33 95/75R17 Moto3 M 115/75R17 Moto3 M Sandro Cortese consistency rather than domination, with the KTM 6 Silverstone, Great Maverick Vinales Dry 30 95/75R17 Moto3 M 115/75R17 Moto3 M Maverick Vinales star the only rider to score points in every race and Britain off the podium just twice in the 17 rounds. Cortese had won just two races during seven 7 Assen, The Maverick Vinales Dry 32 95/75R17 Moto3 M 115/75R17 Moto3 M Maverick Vinales seasons of 125cc competition, but was a contender Netherlands from the start of Moto3, claiming pole for the 8 Sachsenring, Sandro Cortese Wet-Dry 32 95/70R17 KR189 WB 115/70R17 KR389 WB Sandro Cortese inaugural race in Qatar and leading the Germany Championship after his first victory in round three at 9 Mugello, Italy Maverick Vinales Dry 40 95/75R17 Moto3 H 115/75R17 Moto3 M Sandro Cortese Estoril. But he was just one of four different winners in the 10 Indianapolis, USA Dry 33 95/75R17 Moto3 H 115/75R17 Moto3 M Sandro Cortese opening four rounds, with FTR-Honda rider 11 Brno, Czech Wet-Dry 21 95/75R17 Moto3 M 115/75R17 Moto3 M Sandro Cortese Maverick Vinales then regaining the title initiative Republic with successive victories at Catalunya, Silverstone 12 Misano, San Sandro Cortese Dry 16 95/75R17 Moto3 M 115/75R17 Moto3 M Sandro Cortese and Assen. Marino Cortese responded with a home victory at the Sachsenring, round eight, and was never headed in 13 Aragon, Spain Luis Salom Dry 16 95/75R17 Moto3 M 115/75R17 Moto3 M Sandro Cortese the Championship thereafter, adding another win at 14 Motegi, Japan Danny Kent Dry 25 95/75R17 Moto3 M 115/75R17 Moto3 M Sandro Cortese Misano prior to his decisive Sepang performance. 15 Sepang, Malaysia Sandro Cortese Dry 48 95/75R17 Moto3 M 115/75R17 Moto3 M Sandro Cortese As well as Cortese (5), Vinales (5) and Kent (2) the other Moto3 race winners were Luis Salom (2), 16 Phillip Island, Sandro Cortese Dry 22 95/75R17 Moto3 M 115/75R17 Moto3 M Sandro Cortese Romano Fenati (1), Louis Rossi (1) and Jonas Folger Australia (1). 17 Valencia, Spain Danny Kent Wet 12 95/70R17 KR191 WB 115/70R17 KR389 WB Sandro Cortese Cortese is stepping up to the all-Dunlop Moto2 World Championship for 2013. What we learn Misano 16/9 WE RACE, YOU WIN Derived from the race dominating D211 GP, the GP from RACER D211 sets a reference for track day tyres* the wet

Dunlop Motorsport’s, Race Design and Development Manager Sebastien Montet explains what Dunlop learns from racing in the wet and explains the mutually beneficial relationship from Dunlop pushing the boundaries on road and on track.

What do we learn from dry racing conditions which is applicable to road tyre developments? Mainly it is compound and construction technology we transfer from race to road. For example, our latest motorcycle road tyres such as the Sportmax SportSmart feature NTEC Technology which allows the rider to optimise the tyre by adjusting inflation pressure for road or track use. This is one of our motorsport derived technologies. In car tyres, the construction of our latest Sport Maxx RT tyre has a race derived profile design that provides stability from high speed braking and has a compound derived from racing.

What do we learn from wet and variable racing conditions which is applicable to road tyre What are the jobs of a car tyre’s tread developments? pattern? Our Le Mans racing tyres have a block design that is derived The first function of the tread pattern is to from our high performance road tyres. The long Mulsanne clear water, the tread compound itself then straight at 200mph in wet conditions tells us a lot about how ensures the right grip level. On a road car the to evacuate water quickly from underneath a tyre to provide combination of compound and tread pattern confidence, grip and stability. We have invested a lot in has to provide the optimal mix of abilities compound technology that provides the driver with more between stability, braking, traction in wet confidence in cooler conditions (in the same way that a winter and dry conditions – and also lower road tyre provides a road driver with confidence below 7°C). Most noise too. A wet race tyre is only used in wet of all, our research into wet tyres it leads to implementing new conditions, so rather than worry about how ingredients of tread compound to road tyres which are then to make it work in the dry too, we can focus tuned for their different applications. its performance on providing the maximum grip in the wet – with no compromises. How does water on the road stop a slick tyre from performing as it would in the dry? How does the tread pattern impact on grip – cornering, acceleration and Aquaplaning occurs when tyres lose physical contact with the * To date the D211 GP NTEC system allows Multi-Tread compound JLB for Increased stability road surface as they begin riding on a layer of water, in much braking, wet weather performance, tyre race tyre has won riders to lower tyre rear for all-round traction, for heavier sports touring the same way as a surfboard will skim over the surface of a noise and rolling resistance? over 170 podiums pressure for optimum grip, comfort, handling bikes and a front tread wave. When a vehicle reaches a speed the tyre tread pattern On a road car we have to look at the needs and 25 rider track day grip and and extended mileage pattern optimised for handling. shorter braking distances is unable to disperse the surface water from beneath it of the customer. Some car manufacturers, championships. quickly enough. That is the point we see the rush to the pits particularly supercar manufacturers, want to change to intermediate or full wet tyres. the focus to be on dry braking and outright grip. Most high performance car If there could only be one tyre type for motorsport (no manufacturers have to balance these needs separate wet or intermediate) what would it look like? with the continual quest to lower road noise We already have one! The Dunlop Direzza car tyre or D212 and improve fuel economy. That’s where our GP Pro motorcycle tyres are designed for trackdays where experience in tyre construction and tread riders and drivers don’t want the complexity and expense of patterns can help achieve all of these aims. having different wheels and tyres for different conditions. For example, Sport Maxx RT features These are essentially race tyres with a shallow tread pattern irregular tread blocks to break up the noise that can deal with surface water. They are also used as race frequency but combined into a tread pattern tyres in many championships that specify that a road legal that, based on our experience with racing www.dunlopmotorcycle.eu tyre has to be used. tyres, provides great high speed wet grip. 2013 AMA Supercross Calendar:

January 5 Angel Stadium Anaheim, California January 12 Chase Field Phoenix January 19 Dodger Stadium Los Angeles January 26 O.Co Coliseum Oakland, California February 2 Angel Stadium Anaheim, California February 9 Qualcomm Stadium San Diego February 16 Cowboys Stadium 2013 AMA Arlington, Texas February 23 Georgia Dome Atlanta March 2 Edward Jones Dome St. Louis March 9 Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida Supercross March 16 Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis March 23 Rogers Centre Toronto April 6 Reliant Stadium Houston April 13 Metrodome Minneapolis Preview April 20 CenturyLink Field Seattle April 27 Rice-Eccles Stadium Salt Lake City May 4 Sam Boyd Stadium Las Vegas Dunlop will defend its perfect sweep of AMA 450cc Dunlop roster, alongside proven main Supercross titles with another star-studded event winners Andrew Short (Chaparral rider line-up for the 2013 season, which Honda) and Josh Hill (Dodge/Sycuan Casino/ begins at Angel Stadium, Anaheim on Suzuki). January 5. Reigning West Coast Champion Eli Tomac AMA Supercross, an FIM World (GEICO Honda) leads Dunlop’s 2013 Lites Championship, is the most glamorous line-up, with team-mates Justin Bogle, Zach off-road motorcycle series in the world, Osbourne and Wil Hahn also sure to be in the played out in front of sell-out crowds in mix. stadiums across North America - complete Red Bull KTM has retained World with huge jumps, pyrotechnics and Champions and Marvin Musquin pom-pom girls. - both getting ever stronger on American soil In the premier (450cc) class, - while the multi-title winning / Dunlop-Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto will be Pro Circuit/Kawasaki squad have signed making his much anticipated return in pursuit Blake Baggett, Darryn Durham and Martin of a third successive Supercross crown, Davalos. having missed the Outdoor Motocross Blake Wharton (Rockstar Suzuki) and Troy season due to knee surgery. Lee Designs Honda team-mates Cole Seely But Villopoto faces a tough challenge, with and Christian Craig are others to look out for. fellow Dunlop riders - and former Champions The 2013 season features 16-rounds in the - (Red Bull KTM), Chad Reed USA, plus one visit to Canada. (TwoTwo Motorsports) and James Stewart The series begins on the West Coast with (Yoshimura Suzuki) among those with their events in California, Phoenix, Los Angeles eyes fixed firmly on the same prize. and San Diego. The action then heads to Also on Dunlops will be 2012 title runner-up Texas, Atlanta and St Louis before the Davi Millsaps (Rockstar Suzuki), perennial prestigious race at Daytona on March 9. contender Mike Alessi (MotoConcepts), Another famous motorsport city, Indianapolis, ever-popular veteran (GEICO is next before the only non-US round in Honda) and exciting young gun Justin Barcia Toronto on March 23. Houston, Minneapolis, (Honda Muscle Milk) - stepping up to the top Seattle and Salt Lake City follow, prior to the class as a double winner of the East Coast traditional season finale at Sam Boyd Lites Championship. Stadium in Las Vegas on May 4. Former 250cc Lites Champions Trey Canard (Honda Muscle Milk), Jake Weimer (Monster Energy Kawasaki) and Broc Tickle (Dodge/ Honda World Motocross riders from Rui Gonçalves and Evgeny Sycuan Casino/Suzuki) are also on this year’s Bobryshev as well as Dunlop’s own Eddy Seel talk about the Dunlop MX11 front sand tyre.

Let’s Talk About MX Honda Business and sports go World hand in hand; Sharon Antonaros and Eddy Seel Motocross explain how. Riding

Sharon Antonaros Eddy Seel Dunlop Motorcycle Local fitment Dunlop MX 2013: SchooL Director EMEA Our return to motocross brought about a Race Coordinator Both Sharon and Eddy have one goal for Learn how to improve your mototcross riding skills thanks to Dunlop complete rethink of how we would service next season: To get closer to the title. In 2011 partner, the Honda world Motocross team and riders Rui Gonçalves and Partner rather than Sponsor. our teams on event. Instead of taking a I always used Dunlop in my career so I have Dunlop’s activities netted fourth in the Evgeny Bobryshev. Our approach to motocross when we central fitting team to each event – as is the huge trust in their products and how they championship. In 2012 it was third. So could returned was to forge quality partnerships model in so many different motorsport approach their motorsport. It was an honour it be second for 2013? rather than take a shotgun to supply anyone disciplines – we focus instead on to be asked to represent the brand in their To achieve this, the methodology for and everyone. This means we are regarded partnerships with local fitment teams that return to the motocross world championship; improvement is to get even closer to the as more than just a supplier and we can work work closely with us representing us in the my respect for Dunlop has grown the closer teams and riders. This will be achieved far closer with our partner teams. local championships. I’ve worked with them over the past two through working on new products which will Part of this approach can be seen by our Using local fitment teams gives a closer link years. improve the results. Improved products and decision to have Eddy Seel as our MX race between our local markets and dealers, and In 2011, we worked directly with one factory results will mean increased demand, and coordinator; Eddy is an experienced the motocross event that is visiting their team with great success. We developed a better sales. All add together to improve yet competitor who rode on highest level. He is region. It ensures that the service the very good relationship with Honda, taking further the image of Dunlop in competition someone who the teams can trust and look customer gets from the dealer is the same fourth in the World Championship. For year and in the marketplace. towards for advice. We based this on the calibre as that which our professional two of the return, Kawasaki joined us, “Continuous improvement is the plan while model Dunlop use in the USA with Broc motocross riders receive. It’s a new concept, meaning two factory teams as a result. It was enjoying our presence and of course working Glover, which has been a success. and one which has been under Eddy’s critical an interesting step: it is far easier if you have in this exciting sport,” echo both. After two years it is clear that it was the right eye for the past two years. It’s proven to be a just one team as that is where your focus lies, Lesson 1: Riding Hillls Lesson 2: Off Camber Turns choice. We can trust Eddy, and I know the success. but with two teams you have to ensure you teams do too. He is the connecting link are fair in your allocation of time and between the business and the sport and he Getting Dunlop on to new bikes resource. puts out the right image we want to project. – OE business We worked very closely with both teams this The success in competition and the year, and our working relationships have relationships forged with our partners means been beneficial to all. On a human level with more of our tyres are fitted as Original team managers, mechanics, the factory and Equipment. In 2013, we are standard fitment especially the riders we have tremendous on the Honda 150, 250 and 450 and on the trust and this trust allows us to push Kawasaki 250 thanks to our partnership with developments. This year, we developed the the two factory teams. new MX11 front tyre and this was just one step which allowed us to take third in the Increased Sales World Championship. Even in 2012’s tough environment, off-road sales went up and this success can be Lesson 3: Riding a Hardpack Track Lesson 4: Sand riding attributed to Dunlop’s showcase comeback to the World Championship. Dunlop looks to 2013

It’s an early start for Dunlop motorsport in 2013 as the season kicks off with its biggest event of the year, the Dunlop Dubai 24 Hours, in January. Every team of the bumper grid will use Dunlop tyres as teams race around the clock in searing heat. The 2012 event saw more 6000 tyres supplied to more than 70 cars with an eclectic mix of sportscars and touring cars doing battle at the Dubai Autodrome. On two wheels in the US the Dunlop brand will be making an early with the AMA Supercross which starts on January 5. As previewed elsewhere in this issue, AMA Supercross is the most glamorous off-road motorcycle series in the world. As the AMA Supercross enters the final third of its season, so the 2013 FIA World Motocross season starts on March 10 with a new event in Thailand. Dunlop’s goal for next year is to finish even higher than 2012; so that’s the tough target of second or even better… For Le Mans activities, for 2013 Dunlop Motorsport refocuses its activities to Europe and after four fantastic years where it has also raced in the American Le Mans Series. The catalyst for this has been a refocused European Le Mans Series calendar. In ELMS and the FIA World Endurance Championship, Dunlop will continue active development of the LMP1, LMP2 and GT tyres to build on their championship winning success from 2012. In the German VLN, Dunlop will also continue to develop tyres for partners such as AMG Customer Sports to suit the unique demands of the Nürburgring Nordschliefe. And, of course, Dunlop will continue with being the exclusive supplier to a number of championships around the world including the British Touring Car Championship, V8 Supercar Series, the International GT Open, 24 Hours races, the range of burgeoning Radical championships and many other one-make series. DOWNLOAD DUNLOP ON YOUR DESKTOP

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