By Denna Bowman

Avon Tyres has launched the latest offering in its range of van tyres – the AV11.

Complementing the AV9, the new tyre is available in selected sizes, with an expanded fitment range coming later in the year.

Designed with long life and durability in mind for typically high-mileage vehicles, the R-rated AV11 is currently available from Avon stockists in sizes 215/60R16 C, 205/65R16 C, 215/65R16 C and 235/65R16 C.

Among the AV11’s features are robust sidewalls to cope with kerbing damage and a reinforced carcass, able to handle heavier than average loads. Meanwhile, the tyre also provides optimum wet-weather handling.

Nigel Hampson, sales and marketing director of Cooper Tire Europe, said: “We know that our van-driving customers often depend entirely on their vehicles for their livelihoods. For them, the choice of a tyre is far more crucial than the average motorist and that’s why we’ve designed the AV11 with those people in mind.

“The AV11 will stand up to relatively harsh treatment, be it heavy payloads or scuffing along kerbs and other obstacles that are the everyday perils of the average LCV. And, when it comes to inclement conditions, the AV11 ensures that a bad day of weather needn’t mean a bad day for your business.”

By Denna Bowman

Yokohama has replaced Avon as the new tyres supplier for FIA Formula 2 Championship.

The news, which was announced at the AUTOSPORT International Show yesterday, means that the partnership between F2 and Avon - which has supplied rubber for the past three years - has come to an end.

Jonathan Palmer, series chief, said: “We’re delighted to confirm our new partnership between Formula 2 and Yokohama.

“Given the impressive results achieved in testing so far we’re confident our new tyres will deliver enhanced performance both in terms of pace and also consistency, which is crucial in maintaining the completely equal environment of F2.

“We’re now looking forward to working with Yokohama on further developments ahead of the season opener at Silverstone in April.”

Series champion Mirko Bortolotti, who has carried out tests on the new tyres, added: “The car felt good and performed really well. The new tyres perfectly suit the car and react well offering increased grip, even at Barcelona which is very hard on tyres.”

Cooper have created a set of diamond-encrusted tyres to mark the 60th anniversary of Formula 3 racing in the UK.

No this isn’t a belated April Fool’s joke - the bespoke tyres were created by London jeweller Freddie Keeble at FK Diamonds as a tribute to the upcoming diamond anniversary of the British Formula 3 Championship.

And they were paraded on Rupert Svendsen-Cook’s Carlin car at Silverstone last month.

The 2011 season – which begins on 16-17 April – also represents the 30th consecutive season that Cooper Tires and it’s associate brand, Avon Tyres have served as the sole tyre supplier to the series.

Julian Baldwin, Managing Director of Cooper Tires Europe, said: “The Cooper and Avon brands have been involved in Formula 3 for half of the entire existence of the series in Britain.

“The diamond anniversary is huge landmark for Formula 3 and we are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with one of the most important single-seater championships in the world.”

Freddie Keeble, owner of FK Diamonds, revealed: “The process of setting the diamonds was certainly a little different from what we are used to doing.”

So how did he do it? Well, he set the diamonds and the Swarovski crystals into a Cooper logo made out of metal and the individual lettering was then attached to the tyre with a strong adhesive.

Denna Bowman, Head Office

Congratulations to Avon which is celebrating 100 years in the motorcycle tyres manufacturing business.

The UK based tyres manufacturer has been developing and designing motorcycle tyres since 1911 and has a reputation as a market leader in the industry.

Avon Tyres stands out as the only producer of road-going motorbike tyres in the UK and even after a century of accomplishment, development and innovation, the company is still at the centre of everything that the business does.

It is the first British manufacturer to be awarded the BS5750 certification and with its Western European Technical Centre - which has been recently opened - the innovation is expected to continue well into the future.

Avon plans to mark their 100 years of participation in the motorcycling world with a series of forthcoming events coming up in order to celebrate the past centenary and their involvement in the world of motorcycling.

Denna Bowman, Head Office

By Denna Bowman

Avon tyres have conjured up a magic bit of publicity by appearing in the latest Harry Potter movie.

The young wizard - played by Daniel Radcliffe - is captured riding on a motorcycle and sidecar shod with a set of Avon’s Roadrider tyres.

In the latest instalment of his adventures, entitled ‘The Deathly Hallows – Part 1’, Potter is rescued from his non-wizarding relatives’ house by Robbie Coltrane’s character, Hagrid.

The mean machinery used to magic Harry away from the evil ‘Death Eaters’ is a Royal Enfield Bullet Classic, hitched to a Watsonian Manx Sidecar.

Royal Enfield UK supplied a number of sidecar outfits to be used during the filming of the dramatic chase sequence, in which the flying bike and sidecar are chased by Lord Voldemort’s evil henchmen.

Graham Matcham, Global Motorcycle Sales Manager for the British tyre manufacture, said: “We’ve had a long relationship with Royal Enfield, as we are the original equipment tyre supplier to this legendary motorcycle manufacturer.

“We don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but obviously we’re overjoyed that our tyres helped Harry give the Death Eaters the slip during part of the film, while also giving the bike maximum grip and longevity.”

Fancy bagging some free tickets to the Avon Tyres British GT Championship which takes place during next weekends Bank Holiday?

The Independent newspaper has teamed up with Snetterton Circuit and the event organisers to offer readers 10 pairs of tickets to the spectacular weekend of motor sport action.

The high-speed circuit in Norfolk will play host to more than 20 super cars from Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Ascari, Dodge Viper and the new Ford GT as they go head-to-head in an all-out battle for the most prestigious domestic motor sport championship of them all.

There is also a chance to see some of the F1 stars of the future as of the best young racing drivers in Britain and beyond compete in the Cooper Tires British F3 International Championship.

According to the Independent: “The Championship has been won in the past by motor sport legends like Ayrton Senna, while reigning F1 world champion Jenson Button also raced in the series. The weekend promises to be a festival of top class motor sport action.”

The tickets are valid on Sunday August 29 and Monday August 30 and to win a pair go to the Independent website and answer the following question - who is the reigning Formula One world champion?

The competition closes Wednesday 25 August, but if you miss out on the freebies, you can of course buy your own tickets by calling the ticket hotline on 0870 950 9000.

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team

By Alex Kapadia

Pirelli have won the race to supply Formula One with tyres from the start of the next season, according to Italian media sources.

The Italian tyres manufacturer will be the sports sole tyre supplier from 2011, taking over from Bridgestone who are exiting F1 when their contract runs out at the end of the current season.

According to Autosprint and Italiaracing, Pirelli has been selected by the teams and F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, beating rivals Michelin, Avon, Kumho and Hankook to win the contract.

Earlier this week Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo was asked to name is preference. He said: “As an Italian I prefer Pirelli, but experience tells me Michelin.

“In the end it will be the same for everyone,” he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Autosprint said Pirelli will be paid 1 million euros per team per season in 2011, 2012 and 2013, in exchange for identical attention and service and a range of just three compounds: soft, medium and hard.

According to the website Motorsport.com, the tyres will initially be in a similar 13-inch specification to the current Bridgestone product, with a longer-term ambition being a move to a low profile.

The decision is set to be confirmed shortly by the World Motor Sport Council.

Great news for fans of the Avon Tyres British GT Championships - the highlight of their seasons calender is about to get even more exciting!

The annual visit to the spiritual home of sports car racing, Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, will play host to new sporting features and see the return of the thrilling Ford GT next month.

According to the Independent newspaper, which also sponsors the sport, RPM Motorsport has this week confirmed that its GT will rejoin the championship from the Spa race onwards, with Alex Mortimer and Philip Walker, who drove the car to victory together at Donington Park last season, renewing their partnership in Belgium.

The race distance has also been lengthened to two-and-a-half hours with two mandatory pit stops and double championship points up for grabs.

This new race format opens up a host of different strategies to the teams and brings the requirement for slick and safe pit work into play, plus team can opt to add a third driver to their line-up.

Championship manager Benjamin Franassovici says the Spa race, which will run alongside the domestic Belcar sports car series, will be a challenging one for the Avon Tyres British GT squads: “The teams are used to 60-minute races, and Spa will be 150 minutes with two refuelling stops,” he said.

“Teams will have to think carefully about their strategies, there’s always a chance of rain in the heart of Belgium, and when you throw in the added challenge of Eau Rouge and two-and-a-half hours of racing, we are expecting some interesting results.”

One hour of practice and a full hour of qualifying are scheduled for Friday 4 June, with round five of the championship set to commence at mid-morning the following day.

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team

By Alex Kapadia

Formula One failed to reach a final decision about a new tyres supplier for the 2011 season after a series of meetings in Monaco yesterday.

However, the race has narrowed down to two serious contenders for the role of supplying the sport with tyres, according to the Ferrari boss.

Stefano Domenicali indicated that Avon-Cooper and Bridgestone are no longer in the running to supply Formula One tyres next year.

“It will probably take another week,” the Italian is quoted by Germany’s Motorsport-Magazin.com. “Perhaps next weekend.”

Avon was among those who have submitted formal proposals, and in recent days the teams have been pushing Bridgestone to reconsider its decision not to seek a new contract as the sport’s official sole supplier.

However, Domenicali revealed: “There are only two possibilities; Michelin and Pirelli.”

The latest meeting was held on Sunday morning, with team bosses discussing solid proposals made by Michelin, Avon and Pirelli, amid reports Bridgestone might be persuaded to stay.

According to the BBC, FOTA’s technical chief Ross Brawn said Pirelli’s proposal is a viable one. “We’ve had a good proposal from Pirelli which we’re looking into seriously,” he said.

It is believed a final decision is likely to be reached within the next few days after another scheduled meeting.

Just when in looked like it was going to be a two car race, a third contender has officially entered the race to supply tyres for Formula One from next season.

After days of speculation, Pirelli have confirmed they are going to present an offer in the hope of becoming the next official tyres supplier for the sport.

Michelin and Avon are already revving up on the starting line and like Michelin, Pirelli are insisting certain conditions would have to be met in order for them to supply the tyres.

It is exciting news for the racing world, but judging from their statement of intent, it will further delay a decision being reached on a new tyres supplier.

The Italian tyre manufacturer announced in a brief statement: “Pirelli announces that it will present an offer for the supply of tyres to all the teams in the F1 championship. The presentation of the offer will take place before the next Grand Prix in Spain on May 9.”

When pushed for additional information, a spokeswoman for the Italian manufacturer said the offer was for next season but said no further details could be disclosed.

Last week, the Italian media revealed Pirelli’s interest in returning to the sport - having withdrawn in 1991 - but claimed that certain conditions would need to be met. It is understood that these would include increasing the size of tyres to 18 inches (from 13) and for teams to contribute financially.

Michelin admits that it too would be seeking to increase the wheel diameter to 18 inches, a move which would see larger wheels with lower profile tyres which would change the handling and suspension characteristics of the cars dramatically. Such a move would not be popular with the teams who would be forced to significantly redesign their suspension layouts.

Meanwhile, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is said to be in favour of Avon who would supply a cheaper non-branded tyre which would also conform with the current wheel and tyre diameters.

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team