Dunlop has announced the introduction of an all-new range of race tyres specifically designed for the growing range of GTE category cars eligible for events such as the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and European Le Mans Series (ELMS).
Dunlop’s objective was to build on the learnings from the first year of the new ELMS tyre regulations, which introduced a ‘control tyre’ to replace the previously ‘open tyre’ competition in 2015.
Dunlop’s new GTE range has been designed to continue the parity, consistency and durability needed for a diverse range cars, but with improvements to the rear profile and compounds designed to give drivers more confidence in braking and high speed directional change stability.
The tyre range has already proven to be a step forward in tests with various models of car currently used in ELMS. Teams representing BMW, Ferrari and Porsche have already tested the tyres and ELMS newcomers, Beechdean, will test the tyres in Bahrain later this month.
New Intermediate to be added to the range
Dunlop and ELMS have also agreed to introduce an Intermediate tyre option into the championship for the first time since the regulation change to a ‘one brand’ series. This will help reduce costs for teams as they will not have to wear out wet tyres on a semi-dry surface or risk gambling on slicks on a damp track.
VLN Success
Dunlop has also enjoyed success in open competition GT racing this year. After a year of intense racing on the world’s most demanding race circuit, the Nurburgring Nordschleife, Dunlop customer Walkenhorst Motorsport has won the VLN Speed Trophy Championship with their BMW Z4 GT3 – taking two class wins.
This 2015 triumph adds to Dunlop’s impressive run of success in ‘open competition’ GT racing as partners to the winners of the 2010 and 2013 Nurburgring 24hours, 2010 and 2011 American Le Mans Series and 2012 European Le Mans Series Champions.
2016 Test Session
Mike McGregor, Manager, Testing and Track Support stated: “Dunlop will be inviting current and potential new GTE and GT3 customers to try the new range of tyres at our Tyre Evaluation Test in Aragon, Spain in March. Initial testing has provided positive feedback on the new range and will help customers preparing for the 24h of Nurburgring and Le Mans as well as the major championships such as ELMS, VLN and WEC.”