Dunlop Historic tyre supply problems?

[terence]

An official petition to the FIA then?After all,they do represent the world of racing.(dont they)

[john ruston]

FIA nor anyone else can make companies produce tyres.
Stamping feet will do not good and dye is cast for this year despite what promises are made.
In the pre war world their are no Blockleys,or Dunlops available so some major organisers are trying to do deals with possible producers.
Let's see what happens

[Mike Bell]

Certainly series organisers are as frustrated as competitors if Dunlop is the mandated tyre. They risk losing customers. Suggestion at Donington last weekend was that the 1000km race lost entries because the regs required Dunlops, and some sizes were not available. I gather that (late in the day) one car type was allowed to use Avon instead....

[midgetman]

I have copied below an entry in this week's Tyre Trade News (yes there is such a thing! )

Pirelli: New tyres for historic sports cars

About 70 per cent of all Porsche models ever built are still in a roadworthy condition even today. In order to serve the need for suitable tyres, Porsche along with Pirelli has newly developed, tested and approved numerous tyres that were originally matched to different generations of Porsche vehicles. When it comes to the look and design of the tread, the redevelopments are equal to the historic originals.
The new tyres are not just simply new editions of the historic tyres. In fact they combine the appearance of the originals with modern tyre technology by using state-of-the-art compounds together with modern constructions.
The original tread designs and tyre dimensions will help these historic sports cars from Zuffenhausen maintain an authentic appearance in every detail. Authenticity is a keyword of classic Porsches, therefore keeping the correct look is important.

[john ruston]

Let's hope they are better than the F1 tyres!

Avons do many of the Historic Porsche race tyres assuming Dunlops not available.

[terence]

Originally Posted by john ruston

FIA nor anyone else can make companies produce tyres.
Stamping feet will do not good and dye is cast for this year despite what promises are made.
In the pre war world their are no Blockleys,or Dunlops available so some major organisers are trying to do deals with possible producers.
Let's see what happens

Yes,something everyone knows but fia make the rules and are responsable for who gets the nod.

[john ruston]

The editorial in Motor Racing News covers the subject very well and how difficult the situation could become.

Important thing is what is being done to overcome difficulties. FIA will be irrelevant in this conversation as the various major organisers will have to allow other makes if they want to keep decent grid sizes.
Problem is now the other manufacturers cannot meet demand.

It's practicalities that need to be addressed not political positions including FIA.

[tim dodwell]

Phil Manser who races his Mini in our (CTCRC) Pre-66 series, has just had a brand new set of Dunlop CR65 tyres (made in Portugal) disintegrate at Cadwell this weekend.
Very dangerous IMHO, as someone could have been seriously injured (or worse). This company has very serious issues to address, and is in danger of a huge lawsuit.

[Mike Bell]

He's not the first Mini owner to have that problem, from paddock talk at Donington couple of weeks ago......

[john ruston]

Not only the safety issue but also a production problem.
The circumference of the tyres made in Portugal different from those in Brum
John Pearson must be tearing out his remaining hair as he has been badly let down.
We are in position of having to withdraw our Pre War cars from Le Mans Classic as no tyres are available.
Blockleys don't work and no Dunlops available

[zefarelly]

That is a ridiculous state of affairs.

[Geraint Owen]

John

I know you have struggled with Blockleys, but I have always found the three stud versions to be fine. They never fell apart like the Dunlops did on the DH Riley or Bugatti. I think they need lower pressures than the Dunlops, which may be the key.

Better to fit them and go racing than stay at home. They may be the only option for some time to come!

That said, I am not having a lot of joy with the 5 stud Blockley on the Indy car. But to be fair, I have never been able to get hold of Dunlop R5s to compare. They are some time away too I fear

Geraint

[john ruston]

Thanks G
We have tested a few times with Blockleys but they seem to fail,
Ideal for lighter cars as K3 or Ulsters
Trying them on Alta.

Problem is now Blockleys and Avons in short supply just to add to misery

[james s]

We bought our first set of Dunlops for the B8 last week for 3 years ,they see
med to work sort of , we had to replace one because of possibly over heating ( having not done a proper heat cycle ) but at some point the Avons have to go ,at Silverstone there were B8's with Avon tyres of different profiles which were obviously quicker ( the Avons are lasting 3 races rather than 2 years ! ). Following the Avon shod cars they were hardly moving or sliding in the corners. The Dunlops seemed to survive the race ok and got better during the race.