2015/2016 FIA Formula E Championship - Round 5 - Mexico

The Mexico City ePrix saw the MICHELIN Pilot Spot EVrise successfully to the very differentchallenge of competing around a permanent circuit, instead of at a temporary city-centre facility, as has been the case since the inaugural Formula E race in Beijing, in September 2014.
Previous venues have ranged from street tracks to public parks (as in London) and airfield runways (Berlin), but Mexico City chose the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguezand in the infield of a baseball stadium to stage its round of the FIA Formula E Championship.

Although the competition’s all-electric cars and their Michelin tyres have been tested previously at conventional tracks like Donington, England, and Issoire, France,purpose built circuits are very different to street circuits, notably in terms of the grip they provide, as well as the abrasiveness and dirtiness of the surface. For example, the exhaust fumes of ordinary traffic leave grimy deposits on city streets which are also covered in painted road signs, or crossed by tramlines. Permanent tracks have other hallmark characteristics.

“Until now, Formula E has tended to race along streets where thousands upon thousandsof vehicles are driven every day,” notes Serge Grisin, manager of Michelin’s Formula E programme. “In Mexico City, we were faced with an initially ‘green’, partially soiled track which took some time before it delivered maximum grip.Also, the temperature was initially quite cool in the morning before climbing very quickly.There were steady improvements in lap times as the surface started to rubber up during the free practice sessions.”

For example, Sébastien Buemi (Renault-e.dams) topped the timesheets in the two free practice sessions and improved his times by more than three seconds between mid-morning and the end of Free Practice 1 to set the benchmark at 1m3.341s.The other drivers improved to varying degrees, too, to illustrate the evolving conditions.

As lap times tumbled, any lingering doubts concerning the tyres’ ability to deliver around a race track were soon dissipated. “This was effectively unknown territory for us because we needed to take account changes in grip in places, as well as changes in the type of asphalt,” added Serge Grisin. “We were confident, though, thanks on the one hand to Michelin Motorsport’s experience of circuit racing and, on the other, because of the versatility the MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV has shown in the Formula E Championship to date. It performed impeccably in Mexico City and the way it evolved matched our predictions. Today, I think we can say that whatever the weather or surface type, the MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV is a match for all types of conditions, with no detriment to either wear or performance.”

The Mexico City ePrix was won by Jérôme D’Ambrosio (Dragon Racing), ahead of Sébastien Buemi (Renault e.dams) and Nicolas Prost (Renault-e.dams).

The next round of the 2015/2016 FIA Formula E Championship will take teams to Long Beach, California, USA, on April 2, ahead of the inaugural ePrix in Paris, France, on April 23.

###
The mission of Michelin, leader of the tyre industry, is to contribute to the long-term mobility of people and assets. In this respect, the Group manufactures and sells tyres for all types of vehicles, ranging from planes to cars, not forgetting bikes and motorcycles, civil engineering and farming machinery as well as trucks. Michelin canals offer digital services to assist with mobility (ViaMichelin.com), and publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. The Group, headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand (France), ispresent in over 170 countries, employs 111,200 people worldwide, and has 67 production sites in 17 different countries. The Group has a technology centre responsible for research and development located in Europe, North America, and Asia. (www.michelin.com.ph)

*This is Press Release

2015 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Champion

After what he described as the worst possible start to the season, Nick Foster never gave up and last weekend claimed the ultimate reward.

Failing to score even a single point in the first four races of the season, the challenge ahead of Nick was huge. The speed was always there, and thanks in part to the knowledge that his tyres would not let him down, Foster was able to push hard in every race.

“To win the Championship is by far the best moment of my career so far – it hardly seems real at the moment! Even though the start of the year was tough, I never gave up because I knew we had the package to get the job done,” said Foster.

“Having the confidence to push hard each and every lap was really important, especially this season. With Michelin tyres we know this is possible. There have been times this season when we have taken the tyres off at the end of the round, and there is still plenty of life left. We can’t ask for more than that!”

For Michelin, the Porsche Carrera Cup is an exceptional challenge, with the race track acting as the ultimate proving ground.

The long lasting, high performance of the Michelin N2 tyre that the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia uses has been on display all year. The performance has resulted in quick lap times, and even new lap records, being set right up until the closing stages of the final race of the weekend.

“We have seen some of the best racing in Australia in Carrera Cup this year with the drivers able to push their tyres for the whole weekend – this is why we go racing,” said Michelin Australia Marketing Manager, Tim Hoare.

“Globally, the Porsche motorsport platform allows us to innovate and deliver performance – that is why we partner with them. Our engineers work with the Porsche engineers to deliver exactly what the Porsche drivers demand: speed, safety, longevity, and driving pleasure, without compromise.”

For Michelin, this partnership extends off the track and well.

“Michelin works with Porsche's design teams from the bottom up, engineering tyres that react perfectly with the chassis, not just with their race cars but also with their road cars,” explained Mr Hoare. 

For more information about Michelin please visit www.michelin.com.ph

The philosophy of “MICHELIN Total Performance” is at the heart of Michelin's research and development strategy globally and is applied to the development of all Michelin tyres. It reconciles qualities that some believe to be conflicting by virtue of technology such as grip and long lasting tyres.

*This is a Press Release

Tell-tale signs your car tires need changing

SAFETY. Nothing is more important for motorists than this. Car tires play a big part in road safety, so they must always be in tip-top condition.Before hitting the road, makesure that tiresare inflated with the correct air pressure. Check that they are not damaged or defective in any way before the car leaves the garage.

Michelin shares how to identifya few tell-tale signs that will tell you it’s time to change your tires:

1.      Tire Puncture.If you see even just one puncture in any part of the tire, install the spare tire to avoid causing further damage to the punctured one. Bring the suspected damaged tire immediately to a professional tire specialist for an accuratetire diagnosis.Running on punctured tiresis very risky especially if you’re already on the road as this can cause the tire pressure to drop rapidly. So, make sure that your spare tire is always in good condition to ensure safe motoring.

2.      Worn tire treads.Tire treadsare like the soles of the feet.They are the only contact that the vehicle makes with the road. The deeper the tread, the better resistance to aquaplaning. Michelin recommends changingtires before your tread depth is worn to 1.6mm. (MICHELIN tires have a tread wear indicator at the base of the grooves that help you check the correct depth of the tire tread.) Don’t risk the chance of careening on the highway due to lack of tire traction. Wet roads are especially dangerous.

3.      Damaged sidewalls.The sidewall is literally the side of the tire — the part you see when you're looking at your car from the side. Sidewalls can get damaged when the tire hits a curb during a turn, or when the tire hits a hard and sharp object. A puncture or gouge to this area can affect the air pressure inside the tire,affecting the mileage or fuel efficiency of the car. If your tires have even the slightest damage to the sidewalls, have them inspected right away; seek out the high standards of Michelin-approved methods for tire check-ups at dealers and shops carrying MICHELIN tires for a thorough and complete checking.

4.      Abnormal wear. Sometimes one tire wears out faster than the others. This is most likely caused by improper wheel alignment,leading to abnormal, uneven wear on tires since pressure is not evenly distributed on the wheels. See to it that wheel and tire assembly should always be correctly balanced after mounting new tires or after every vehicle repair. This provides a more comfortable ride and extended tire life.Other abnormal wear or damage to tires may also occur inside the tire. As much as possible, have your tire inspected by a tire specialist.

5.      Aging.Tires age and deteriorate over time, just like everything else. Constant tire check-up is imperative for motorists, even if no major damage like puncture holes or uneven wear is visible.Make sure the treads are still visible because the tire tread is your car’s grip on the road. It has an impact on the distance needed for braking. Hard braking is one of the main causes of excessive wear and tire deterioration. Don’t take the risk of driving on old and worn out tires. Even if they look fine and still usable, Michelin recommends that tires be replaced ten years after their manufacture date. Don’t wait for them to give out!

6.      Lastly, remember that there is a right type, size and function of tires for your car. Using the right tires will not only keep your trips safe and your car functioning at top capacity, it will also prolong tire life and improve mileage. One way to find the correct size and tire type for your vehicle is to look at the car manual. You can also check out the Michelin Tire Selector online at  www.michelin.com.ph  which recommends the most reliable, top-quality tires based on your vehicle make, model, tire size and its year of manufacture.

###

Michelin, the leading tire company, is dedicated to sustainably improving the mobility of goods and people by manufacturing and marketing tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles/motorcycles, earthmovers, farm equipment and trucks. It also offers electronic mobility support services on ViaMichelin.com and publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in more than 170 countries, has 111,200 employees and operates 67 production plants in 17 different countries. The Group has a Technology Center in charge of research and development with operations in Europe, North America and Asia.(www.michelin.com)

Porsche chooses MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 for its 911 GT3 RS launch

Porsche AG will equip all of its cars with the newest MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 ultra-high-performance tyres, the company announced at the launch of its latest model, the new 911 GT3 RS. The just released model from Porsche’s 911 series now sport tyres in the 265/35 ZR20 front and 325/30 ZR21 rear sizes.

Blurring the line between motorsport and road tyres, the MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 is the latest generation of road-legal track tyres specially designed for ultra-high performance cars that are used on road and track. The trust that Porsche has in the performance of this tyre is clearly demonstrated by the fact that it is also the OE fitment on other recent models including the 918 Spyder, Cayman GT4 and 911 GT3.


The co-development of these tyres began with the ones that are fitted to the 918 Spyder and these were then developed and fine-tuned to suit the characteristics demanded by Porsche engineers for the track-focussed GT3 RS.

Using tyre sizes that are larger than those fitted to the GT3 means that the size of the contact patch of the tyres is increased by 20% at the front and 18% at the rear. Overall this has the effect of increasing outright grip levels and contributes to the car’s more track-focused dynamic handling characteristics.

Due to an innovative range of motorsport-derived technologies such as Bi-Compound technology, which involves the use of different rubber compounds on the inner and outer sections of the tread and Track Variable Contact Patch 3.0, which optimises pressure in the tyre's contact patch so the same amount of rubber is always in contact with the road or track, whether driving in a straight line or cornering, the MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 offers drivers a unique balance between safety and driving enjoyment that makes it suitable for everyday road use as well as in very demanding conditions on the racetrack. To achieve this, Michelin engineers focused on simultaneously improving performance in different areas in-line with the Group’s Total Performance strategy.

As a result of this strategy, compared to its predecessor the Pilot Sport Cup+, the Pilot Sport Cup 2 lasts up to 50 per cent longer on track while offering faster lap times*, improves resistance to aquaplaning in wet weather and maintains high levels of driver safety and enjoyment.


To ensure the GT3 RS is prepared for difficult winter driving conditions, Michelin is the sole supplier of the Porsche-approved winter tyre fitment for the car:
245/35R20 91V XLTL Pilot Alpin 4 N0
315/35R20 110V XLTL Pilot Alpin 4 N0

Michelin joins GT Asia Series as official tire supplier in 2015

MICHELIN Philippines Chief Representative Michael official and exclusive tire supplier of the GT Asia Series the for the Asian Region’s leading GT category from 2015. The full 11-race programme will begin in South Korea on May 15. The GT Asia Series is sanctioned by the FIA as an International Series and is clearly recognised as the Region’s leading GT Championship. It is jointly managed and promoted by Motorsport Asia Ltd and the Supercar Club Hong Kong. David Sonenscher, Joint Series Director of the GT Asia Series said, welcoming the return of Michelin as the official tire supplier. “I’m happy to announce that we will be in partnership with Michelin in 2015, re-establishing a link that Motorsport Asia Limited has had with the French manufacturer that first began back in 2006. Since that time we worked directly with Michelin up until 2011 and then indirectly though the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Series, so we have had an unbroken link with spanning 19 years." “We’re looking forward to a strong program in 2015, with some outstanding events, including our first three-hour race at Sepang, following on from what was a big season in 2014." Sonenscher added.

Patrick Dias, Michelin Motorsport Asia Pacific Director, declares: “Michelin is proud to have been chosen as the exclusive tire supplier for the GT Asia Series. The importance of the series in Asia, and the quality of the organization was what attracted us to the championship.

Michelin has been a strong player in the major Asian motorsport disciplines for decades, and the GT Asia Series has always been at the heart of our growing strategy in the area since its foundation.

For Michelin, motorsport is the ultimate test of performance. What we learn on track we use to build our road tires including the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 - the tire chosen as original equipment for many of the manufacturers present in the GT Asia Series.

Michelin tires deliver exactly what the competitors demand; speed, reliability, and above all, safety. We will make every effort to provide every driver with the right tire, at the right moment, and also to offer a great show to the public!”

“Michelin are no strangers to GT competition in the Asian region, as regular front runners in the Malaysia Merdeka [Sepang] 12-Hour, the Macau GT Cup, and just recently they helped some of the leading GT3 teams from Europe and Asia to make a clean sweep of the Bathurst 12-Hour endurance event.”

Michelin, the leading tire company, is dedicated to sustainably improving the mobility of goods and people by manufacturing and marketing tires for every type of vehicle, including aeroplanes, automobiles, bicycles/motorcycles, earthmoving equipment, farm equipment and trucks. It also offers electronic mobility support services on ViaMichelin.com and publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in more than 170 countries, has 113,400 employees and operates 69 production plants in 18 different countries.

The Group has a Technology Centre in charge of research and development with operations in Europe, North America and Asia. (www.michelin.com)

2015 GT Asia Series – CALENDAR:

Rnd#1/#2, 15-17 May - Korea International Circuit (South Korea)
Rnd#3/#4, 26-28 June - Okayama International Circuit (Japan)
Rnd#5/#6, 17-19 July - Fuji International Speedway (Japan)
Rnd#7, 4-6 September - Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia) - 3-Hour
Rnd#8/#9, 25-27 September - Shanghai International Circuit (China)
Rnd#10/#11, 23-25 October - Buriram International Circuit (Thailand)
NON-CHAMP, 20-22 November - Guia Circuit, Macau (MGP)
For more information on the 2015 GT Asia Series, please visit www.afos.com

Facebook.com/GTAsiaSeries
Twitter.com/GTAsiaSeries

Michelin Tires Chosen For Porsche Cayman GT4 Launch

For the dynamic launch of its new Cayman GT4, Porsche AG has chosen to equip all of the cars with MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 ultra-high-performance tires: 245/35 ZR20 (91Y) TL N0 front and 295/30 ZR20 (101Y) XL TL N0 rear.

The MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyre is the latest generation of road-legal track tires designed for ultra-high performance cars. The performance levels that this tyre offers are clearly demonstrated by the fact that it is the OE fitment on recent Porsche models including the 918 Spyder and GT3.

Further evidence of the performance of this tyre is highlighted by the Nurburgring lap record set last year by the 918 Spyder which was fitted with exactly the same model of tires, albeit in a different size, that can be bought from any Official Porsche Centre.

Compared to its predecessor, the Pilot Sport Cup+, the Pilot Sport Cup 2 lasts up to 50 per cent longer on track and also offers faster lap times* due to technology developed in motorsport, at races such as the Le Mans 24 hours. Plus, these improvements in performance are achieved with no compromises in other areas, and are an example of Michelin’s Total Performance strategy.

The MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 combines Bi-Compound technology, which involves the use of different rubber compounds on the inner and outer sections of the tread with Track Variable Contact Patch 3.0, which is an innovation that optimizes pressure in the tyre's contact patch so the same amount of rubber is always in contact with the road or track, whether driving in a straight line or cornering. To ensure the Cayman GT4 is prepared for difficult winter driving conditions, Michelin is the sole supplier of the winter tyre option for the car:

235/35R20 92V XLTL Pilot Alpin 4 N0
275/30R20 97V XLTL Pilot Alpin 4 N0

Michelin Promo

The New Year calls for new tires, and here’s good news! If you buy new Michelin tires, you can earn additional cash vouchers too. Michelin is offering for a purchase of a pair of MICHELIN tires for passenger car or light truck (PCLT) of the same pattern and tire size (size 14-inch and above), entitles you to a Sodexo cash voucher worth PhP 500. The more MICHELIN tires you buy, the bigger the amount of cash vouchers you get.

The vouchers are valid anytime, with no expiry date. The promotion cannot be used in conjunction with other sales activities offered by the dealer. The Michelin Promo is covered by DTI FTEB SPD No. 0264, Series of 2015. For more details about the promo, customers may consult the promo posters, visit participating dealers in their area or log on to www.michelin.com.ph.

###

Michelin, the leading tire company, is dedicated to sustainably improving the mobility of goods and people by manufacturing and marketing tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles/motorcycles, earthmovers, farm equipment and trucks. It also offers electronic mobility support services on ViaMichelin.com and publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in more than 170 countries, has 111,200 employees and operates 67 production plants in 17 different countries. The Group has a Technology Center in charge of research and development with operations in Europe, North America and Asia.(www.michelin.com)