Cooper tyres are looking forward to the start of an exciting 2010 race season which kicks off on Easter weekend.

The US tyres company is the sole tyre supplier and title sponsor of the UK’s premier single-seater racing championship the Formula 3 Series, which kicks off at Oulton Park on Saturday 3rd April.

Cooper’s title sponsorship deal has helped to promote the brand across Europe, as the series includes rounds at circuits including the legendary Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and Hockenheim in Germany.

Julian Baldwin, managing director of Cooper Tyre Europe, said: “Last year was a great season but this year is looking to be even more exciting. “Alguersuari and Ricciardo have both proved that British F3 is still the perfect springboard to F1 and we are extremely proud to support the series.”

The Formula 3 series has produced champions and future Formula 1 stars such as David Coulthard, Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello, Mika Hakkinen and Ayrton Senna.

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team

By Denna Bowman

Cooper tyres are appealing a court ruling that their tyres were responsible for a fatal minivan crash in 2007.

The second-biggest US tyres manufacturer was ordered to pay massive compensation awards to the survivors of the accident and family of the victim by a jury in Des Moines, Iowa.

The jurors found that the tyre fitted to the 1997 Chrysler minivan was not state of the art when it was designed and manufactured.

They awarded $28.4 million to Ivon Toe, a 39-year-old woman rendered quadriplegic in the accident. Her two children received a total of $65,000.

The estate of Assata Karlar, 28, who was killed in the accident, received $649,000. Her husband, Gaye, was awarded $420,000, and their five children received a combined total of more than $1 million.

Wesley Todd, a lawyer for the plaintiffs’, said: “I really hope this sends a message to Cooper about these cases.

“I hope they’ll change their philosophy at the corporate level in how they make their tyres instead of defending them.”

Cooper was also assessed punitive damages of $1.5 million for a total liability of more than $32.8 million. Included were damages for the other four people riding in the van when it rolled over, the spouse of one of those passengers and that couple’s three children.

A spokesman for Cooper said: “We have deep sympathy for those involved and wish to express our sincere condolences to the individuals and families impacted by this accident.”

Cooper disputed the verdict and is set to appeal the decision.

While attorneys for van passengers and their families argued that the tyre was defective, lawyers for the company countered that the tyre was old, worn and damaged before the accident.

In his March 15 closing, defense lawyer Terrance M. Miller also said the driver of the van, Alfred Lang, was driving too fast and that his hard braking in reaction to the tread separation exacerbated it.

In its statement, the tyre company said its products, including the tyre involved in the case, “are safe and reliable, exceeding not only all government standards but also our own, more rigorous, internal standards.”

It argued that the tyre on the 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager minivan owned by plaintiff Achol Deng Maiwen, had been punctured by a nail that was still in the tyre at the time of the accident.

“The tyre suffered from long-term underinflated operation and had been damaged by a road hazard impact,” Cooper Tyre said, adding “this tyre was not defective and that plaintiffs did not prove that any tyre defect caused this accident.”

By Denna Bowman

Cooper tyres bounced into a fourth-quarter profit after experiencing a jump in sales and a drop in raw material prices.

Roy Armes, chief executive of the US based tyres manufacturer, said: “During the fourth quarter, we were encouraged by the stronger demand in many markets for our tyres.

“This improvement allowed the progress we have made to be more visible on the bottom line.”

Cooper has recently seen strength from a bounce-back in sales as well as lower raw-material prices and cost cuts.

The company has benefited from raising prices and restructuring, and demand for replacement tyres could rise as people drive more as the economy strengthens.

Like many tyres manufacturers around the world, Cooper had been hit during the recession as consumers chose to run longer on their old tyres before replacing them.

Cooper reported a profit of $39.2 million compared with a year-earlier loss of $143.5 million.

Cooper’s North American and international operations returned to the black in the latest quarter as revenue rose 11% and 56%, respectively.

Michelin and Cooper are the latest two tyres companies to donate much-needed financial support to the Haiti relief fund.

Following the devastating earthquake earlier this month, Michelin tyres has pledged a £62,000 donation to the American Red Cross to help Haiti, but also will match employee contributions up to £62,000.

Michelin stated: “We have all been moved by the devastation that has taken place in Haiti and the grief they have suffered over the past two weeks.”

Cooper is also pledging up to £15,500 in donations. The company will match up to £15,500 in employee donations through a special Haiti disaster-relief matching gift programme.

Roy Armes, chairman, CEO and president of the company, said: “Cooper Tyre and its employees have a long tradition of assisting communities and people in need.

“We are saddened by this tragedy, one of the worst natural disasters of our lifetime, and genuinely concerned for the health and safety of the people of Haiti.

“In an effort to provide much needed assistance, the company, on behalf of its employees around the world, will join in the united effort to save lives and rebuild this demolished country.”

Bridgestone has also donated funds to the cause.

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team