By Oliver Hall

The controversial decision to slap heavy duties on cheap tyres shipped into the US from China has not reduced overall import figures or saved jobs, according to a trade council.

Now the US-China Business Council has urged President Barack Obama to order a study into the effects of the tyres tariffs.

John Frisbie, the council’s president, said in a letter urging the US government to act: “USCBC has found no evidence that the tariffs on low-end Chinese tyres have had a positive effect on American jobs, and we suspect the tariffs have had a negative overall impact on American consumers.

And in a separate policy brief examing the decision Obama made a year ago, the USCBC added: “US imports of the low-end tyres involved in the case are up substantially, but have shifted from China to other suppliers.”

Obama slapped a 35-percent tariff on Chinese-made tyres after the United Steelworkers union claimed the imports were damaging the domestic tyres industry.

A spokesman for the United Steelworkers union dismissed the USCBC’s report showing employment in the US tyre sector has fallen and tyre prices paid by consumers have risen since the duties were imposed.

Gary Hubbard, USW for spokesman, said: “The Chinese importers’ motives and their pitch would clearly be suspect by any common-sense standard.

The US Trade Representative’s office also said it believed Obama’s decision had a positive impact on domestic tyre production industry and employment.

A spokesman said: “US tyre producers reportedly have increased production and are considering new investments. We also believe from reports that they have preserved jobs in the industry.”

The Belgian Grand Prix is shaping up to be a wet and wild weekend which could play havoc with the teams tyres!

As the Formula One circus moves to the rollercoaster Spa Francorchamps circuit, the weathermen are forecasting heavy rainfall for today at least and Saturday could see a repeat weather pattern, although slightly colder.

And as for Sunday’s Grand Prix, there’s still more rain to come and with the temperature dropping to around 12′C it could all play havoc on the drivers’ attempts to get heat into their tyres.

The long 7km circuit is renowned for having its own mini-climate, where rain can be falling at one end of the track, whilst the other remains completely dry, making tyre strategies somewhat difficult to pick.

The 2010 race looks as though the entire track will suffer from downpours, making what is often touted as the best race on the calendar, even better.

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team

By Denna Bowman

Michelin has pre-empted the new European tyres-labelling regulations set to be introduced in 2012 with its latest advertising campaign.

The tyres manufacturer has demonstrated how it is already focusing on safety and fuel efficiency two years ahead of the introduction of the new law.

Under the EU-wide legislation, tyres will be given a rating system similar to that of white goods, with stars awarded based on how safe the tyres are, based on wet braking distance, how fuel-efficient they are, and how much noise the tyres generate.

Although the new legislation does not come into force until 2012, Michelin is acting now to position its brand at the forefront of safety and fuel efficiency, according to Marketing magazine.

Jianni Geras, head of marketing for Michelin in the UK and Ireland, told the industry leading magazine that the latest campaign aims to raise awareness among consumers that budget tyres are not the same.

The report states that Geras cites results of an earlier campaign – highlighting how better tyres can help save fuel – as evidence. That campaign, saw an uplift in awareness of the issue among consumers. It also delivered a significant improvement in web traffic for Michelin, and improved awareness and preference for the Michelin brand.

The latest campaign is likely to attract the attention of those unimpressed by traditional car-tyre imagery of racetracks and men in crash helmets.

It features the famous Michelin Man in a forest full of cute woodland creatures. The creative highlights how a better tyre can make a car safer, by showing how the lives of animals are saved by the improved braking distance.

This is echoed in an online game that can be played on the Michelin Join the Fight website.

Geras said: “Will all customers buy the cheapest tyres? I think that increasing awareness of the issues of safety and fuel efficiency in our campaigns, along with emerging legislation, will ensure that consumers are better informed about the differences between premium tyres and budget ones.”

The Independent newspaper published a fascinating feature yesterday about the new EU regulations that come into effect in November 2012 relating to tyres.

The new law will help motorists make “a much more informed choice when buying tyres – and the product should be better too”, according to writer David Wilkins.

When it comes to buying tyres, most vehicle owners lack the knowledge to make informed choices about the subject.

This is, according to Wilkins, “a worrying state of affairs given that tyres are fundamental to the safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy and running costs of our cars”.

However, the article reports that the new EU regulations should substantially improve matters. These will require customers to be provided with information about each type of tyre in respect of three important areas of performance – fuel economy, wet-weather braking and external noise levels.

Performance ratings for each of these will be shown in the form of bar diagrams similar to those already used to display the energy efficiency of washing machines.

Denna Bowman, Head Office

By Denna Bowman

Continental are in the process of developing a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) which will be able to report to smart phones via pressure sensors in intelligent tyres.

The ‘filling assistant’ system will let drivers know when they reach the right pressure while inflating their tyres and alert them if a tyre suffers gradual loss of inflation due to a puncture, according to a report in Tyres and Accessories magazine.

The application, developed by Continental’s Interior Division, communicates wirelessly with the smartphone and specifies the exact inflation pressure of each tyre using a brief honk and blink signal can be given to confirm when the tyre has been inflated to the correct pressure level.

Technical requirements for the system are a tyre pressure monitoring system with the corresponding sensors in the tyres and factory-integrated vehicle electronics with a wireless interface.

Dr. Burkhard Wies, head of Continental’s passenger tyre development, announced: “This speedy and uncomplicated system not only adds to the user friendliness of the car but also enhances vehicle safety and efficiency.

“The driver is also warned of a gradual loss of inflation pressure resulting from an embedded nail or a damaged valve. At the same time, the environment also benefits, as the proper tyre pressure keeps road resistance and thus fuel consumption low.”

Continental expects to start mass producing the first tyres that will have sensors collecting tyre data directly in the tyre underneath the tread, instead of sensors that are connected to the valve from 2013.

With one F1 tyres test session already under their belt, it looks like Pirelli won’t be getting any tips from the outgoing tyres supplier Bridgestone.

For although they are not competitors on the track, that doesn’t mean Bridgestone will be falling over themselves to share the information they have gleaned from the sport to Pirelli, according to Planet-F1.com.

Pirelli are set to take over from Bridgestone as F1’s tyre supplier next season and have already conducted their first test.

The Italian tyre manufacturer spent two days at Mugello last week with German racing driver Nick Heidfeld using a 2009 Toyota chassis to test the tyres.

Pirelli already have further test scheduled, but it’s likely they will need as much track-time as possible since they won’t be getting any help from Bridgestone.

“I am sure as a supplier of GP3, Pirelli has already collected enough information for Formula One,” a Bridgestone spokesman told motorsport-magazine.

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team

By Denna Bowman

Motorists are being urged to carry out pre-travel checks on their tyres to avoid Bank Holiday blowouts this weekend.

TyreSafe, the leading tyres safety organisation, warns that drivers who are preparing to get away and make the most of the final Bank Holiday weekend of the year could put lives at risk by driving on under-inflated tyres.

Tyre pressures should be checked at least once a month or before a long journey and should be adjusted for any additional loads being carried. Motorists travelling on under-inflated tyres are much more likely to suffer a serious blowout endangering themselves, passengers and other road users.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe. “Too many drivers experience a dangerous blowout, particularly over the August bank holiday weekend, simply because they have not taken the time to prepare their car properly beforehand.

“Although they may only be going away for a few days, many drivers fill their car with passengers, luggage and additional items such as bikes, all of which can seriously impact on their tyres’ performance. Unless tyre pressures are checked properly, the additional load can make a tyre failure much more likely.”

When tyres are under-inflated or overloaded, extra heat builds up within the tyre causing its internal components to separate and eventually fail in a spectacular manner. This is a particular problem when cars are travelling at high speeds for a long period, such as motorway journeys. Not only is the blowout a problem for the driver who has to try and control the vehicle, but other roads users are also put at risk from any tyre debris left in the carriageway.

Tyre pressures should be checked when the tyres are cold using the manufacturers recommended levels. Many vehicles require higher pressures when carrying heavy loads. Details of the pressure settings can be found in the driver’s handbook, inside the fuel filler cap or on a plate located on the driver’s door sill or pillar.

How to check your tyre pressures correctly

1. Pressures should be checked at least once a month or before a long journey
2. Pressures should be checked against the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended level. This can be found in the vehicle handbook and on a plate which is often located inside the fuel filler flap or on the driver’s door sill or pillar.
3. Check the pressure when tyres are cold (i.e. when you have travelled less than two miles).
4. If you are carrying a full load of passengers or luggage or will be towing a trailer or caravan, tyre pressures should be increased in line with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Details can be found in the vehicle handbook.
5. Ensure a reliable and accurate pressure gauge is used.
6. Check the pressure in all four tyres not forgetting to check the spare tyre as well.
7. While checking pressures, give the rest of the tyre a visual inspection. Remove any stones and other objects embedded in the tread. Look out for any bulges, lumps or cuts.
8. If you are unsure on any aspect of tyre pressure or tyre condition take your vehicle to an approved fitting centre and speak to the experts.

Honest John - the Daily Telegraph’s excellent motoring agony aunt - has been explaining again why he believes tyres-wrecking speed bumps are a safety risk.

A long time campaigner against the speed humps, his latest comment was prompted by a reader from Torquay who wrote: “There’s regular and understandable criticism of speed humps in your column. I don’t like them any more than anyone else, but it would at least be a bit of comfort to see some acknowledgement of the reason for their installation. Some drivers have absolutely no regard for others’ safety and do not apply consistent risk assessment to their surroundings (parked cars, children, junctions, road conditions and so on). We’ve all seen drivers travelling at inappropriate speeds and humps are simply an attempt to think on their behalf.”

To which Honest John replied: “My campaign against these dangerous obstructions will not abate. Speed cushions destroy the hidden inner shoulders of car tyres, leading to unforeseen blowouts that could occur at high speed later in a car’s journey, and also damage suspension components – another important safety factor. The strongest argument against them? The pounding from vehicles harms the sub-structure of roads, leading to potholes all around and hugely increasing maintenance costs, which we as a country cannot afford. In Holland they block-pave side roads from wall to wall, without footpaths, and this “pedestrianisation” slows drivers very effectively, without damaging cars and putting motorists at risk.”

Denna Bowman, Head Office

By Alex Kapadia

Formula One racing ace Lewis Hamilton has been fined £300 for spinning and burning his tyres in a Melbourne street hours ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

The former world champion was even described as a ‘hoon’ - a loutish boy racer - by an Aussie magistrate Clive Alsop.

Hamilton pleaded guilty in his absence to performing a ‘burnout’ as he left the Australian Grand Prix circuit in a private car before the official race got under way.

He was caught by police executing a ‘burnout’ and ‘fishtail’ - tricks in which wheels are intentionally spun and skidded - in front of fans.

Mr Alsop said that Hamilton had abused his position of authority and influence. He said: “This isn’t about somebody’s character - this is about somebody in a responsible position behaving like a hoon.

“It doesn’t show the general application of the level of responsibility and maturity that he must use very day on the race track.”

Hamilton was not able to attend the court because of his international racing duties, but the 25-year-old driver said in a letter that he regretted his ‘momentary lapse of judgment’ in his borrowed £90,000 C-class Mercedes on the night of the burnout, March 26, this year.

Hamilton is due to compete in the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend and wrote twice to the court to explain his absence.

In a summons served on his Australian solicitor, Hamilton was charged with intentionally causing his wheels to lose traction.

‘I fully accept that I am a public figure and I consider that I have a duty to act as a role model to youngsters, particular in relation to road safety matters,’ he said in his letter.

‘The publicity caused by this incident was immense and that in itself has been a form of punishment for me.

‘I have found this very upsetting because I am passionate about road safety and I do voluntarily carry out activities to promote international road safety, particularly amongst young adults. I made a mistake in Melbourne, which I sincerely regret.’

By Oliver Hall

A Porsche driver is facing a prison sentence after he admitted causing a crash that killed 83-year-old woman.

One of the tyres on businessman Dean Wright’s Porsche 911 was bald and he did not take adequate notice of the road conditions, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

Wright was driving along the B1188 at Sleaford Road, Dunston when he was in collision with a Suzuki Vitara killing passenger Eileen Holvey, 83, and seriously injuring her husband Horace, 84.

The prosecution also allege that Wright was speeding, although he denied that.

Wright, 48, of North Hykeham, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Mrs Holvey by careless driving on May 15, 2009.

Robert Underwood, prosecuting, said before the smash Wright had been advised by the vehicle manufacturer to change his tyres, but failed to do so.

“We say he was speeding and we say he knew he had a bald tyre,” added Mr Underwood.

Defence barrister Simon Clarke said Wright denied driving at over the 60mph speed limit on the road.

He asked for a probation report to be prepared before sentence.

Judge Michael Heath adjourned sentence for the preparation of a report and granted Wright bail.