Consistent Dunlop Control Tyre the key for

Phillip Island

Dunlop is confident its control tyre will perform well in its first endurance race held at Phillip Island on 12-14th September after rising to the challenges of Darwin, Ipswich and Winton.

Kevin Fitzsimons, Dunlop's V8 Supercar Operations Manager, said that drivers can have confidence in the control tyre as they develop strategies for the first endurance race of the season.

“Phillip Island is the first endurance race of the season and drivers and teams will use this race to prepare for the big one at Bathurst,” Mr Fitzsimons said.

“Strategies for endurance races are mainly run to fuel requirements, but the tyre’s consistency means the top teams, whatever their fuel strategy, don’t have to worry about their tyres – the longevity and high speed control of the tyre means they can stay out as long as the fuel lets them,” he said.

Since launching at the Hidden Valley round in Darwin, where tyre temperatures reached 100°C, Dunlop's control tyre has performed in the changeable conditions of Ipswich and the cooler Winton Raceway.

“Following the success of our testing program on this circuit back in December, we are confident it will be business as usual for Dunlop even though the Phillip Island circuit is renowned as the toughest track on tyres in Australia,” Mr Fitzsimons said.

“The success of the previous V8 Supercar control tyre had been its capability of performing at maximum efficiency in the widest of racing environments whether it be hot or cold conditions, high speed or tight tracks, sprint or endurance races, the Dunlop tyre was excellent for our competition use and we are confident the new control tyre will continue to prove itself and continue where the previous tyre left off.”

Sept 2008