Michelin deal for Speedcar Series

Globally renowned tire manufacturer Michelin has signed a deal with Speedcar Series to provide racing rubber for all cars over the next three seasons.

With three months to go until Speedcar's debut race at the Dubai Autodrome on January 26, organizers have confirmed that all 24 competitors will use 33/70.15 tires designed specifically by the French company to suit track and weather conditions in Asia and the Middle East.

Michelin is one of the world's most innovative and respected tire manufacturers, achieving success in all levels of motorsport, including both Formula One Driver and Constructor Championships in 2005 and 2006. The partnership with Speedcar will increase Michelin's global motorsport portfolio, which already includes teams in single-seaters, rally, sportscars and motorcycling, as well as their profile in the region.

Benjamin Durand, Technical Manager of Speedcar Series said: "We are delighted to announce our official partnership with Michelin, a company with a wealth of knowledge and experience garnered from over a century of racing in many different championships. Their input and support will be invaluable to the Speedcar Series. We are looking forward to the development of our relationship with excitement, and are convinced that together we will be able to further the development of the motor racing industry in the respective countries visited by the series."

Jean-Michel Vargas of Michelin's Competition Client, added: "The partnership with Speedcar Series will increase Michelin's global motorsport portfolio, additional to our involvement in the Endurance Series, Moto GP and sports car racing through Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, World Series by Renault and FIA GT3. This cooperation will provide us with a stronger brand positioning across the Middle East and Asian markets."

Speedcar Series driver Jean Alesi, who recently tested the Michelin tires at the Dubai Autodrome, said: "I was extremely impressed. These tires have a very positive and responsive feel which will be vital to ensuring the drivers can extract the maximum performance from them. Despite the challenging conditions during the test, which caused dust to drift across the track, I was able to get a strong impression of how the combination of car and tires will perform in a race. I'm very excited for the season to start, and I'm sure that the teams and drivers will provide a fantastic show for spectators both here in Asia and the Middle East, and across the world."

[Editor's Note: Rest assured you won't see Michelin’s stock car tires blowing up like firecrackers like the Goodyears do in NASCAR]