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Dunlop Tyres Motorsport

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Dunlop Tyres Motorsport

Dunlop Tyres Motorsport
Dunlop Tyres Motorsport

Dunlop Tyres Motorsport

Dunlop tyres Motorsport division was a memorable visit for me in the 60s

This narrative of the Dunlop Motorsport tyre division’s meteoric ascent and fall is as riveting as a fresh set of tyres on a rainy road, so let’s get into it!

The Glorious Days and Lowly Origins

Dunlop, a name that conjures images of tyres everywhere, wasn’t your average tyre manufacturer, either. Time travel back to the late 1800s in Britain is where the story starts. Fort Dunlop, in Birmingham, was the site of the miracle. The Dunlop tyre empire was founded at this famous site, and boy, were they prolific tyre manufacturers!

Dunlop wasn’t merely competing; they were utterly destroying it in the motorsports world. All the way from the Isle of Man TT to the Le Mans 24 Hours, these guys were in it. Round and black tyres weren’t enough for these technological wonders; they could race through the worst terrain at dizzying speeds. The drivers had no idea what they required until they were told!

The Age of Grace-Dunlop Tyres Motorsport

Fort Dunlop stood as a monument to the engineering brilliance and pioneering spirit of the British people, more than simply a factory. During its prime, it was a beehive of creativity and activity. They were producing racing tyres that were unparalleled in quality. Also, many local families relied on the jobs it created for their daily needs.

Dunlop Motorsport’s heyday was legendary. The winning cars in every race were using their tyres. Everything they touched seemed to magically transform into gold. Why wouldn’t drivers swear by Dunlop tyres? Having a dependable barrier between you and the asphalt is essential while travelling down a track at absurd speeds.

A Reduction in

However, a melancholy section is inevitable in any good story. Problems started to arise for the once-mighty Fort Dunlop. The tyre industry was evolving into a battleground for multinational behemoths. Both prices and competition were on the rise. Our cherished tyre division quickly found itself in a precarious situation.

The Dunlop Motorsport division’s demise was gradual. Competition wasn’t the only factor; new rules for motorsport, advancements in technology, and other market forces also played a role. It’s as if all these trendy new bars are stealing customers away from your beloved watering hole.

A New Chapter Begins-Dunlop Tyres Motorsport

Eventually, the inevitable happened. Many people’s hearts broke when the Dunlop Motorsport division at Fort Dunlop shut down. Not only did a factory close its doors, but an entire period did as well. Birmingham was losing a piece of its history and a piece of British motorsport as it faded away.

However, history is something that truly endures. Remembering the thunderous engines, the aroma of burning rubber, and the jubilant throng is how Dunlop Motorsport will be remembered. It’s an inspiring tale about overcoming adversity and embracing change.

Embracing the Present while Looking Ahead

Now that I’ve finished explaining everything, I want us to pause and think about Fort Dunlop, not as a place of business or a structure, but as a representation of an era when British industry was at the forefront of motorsport. The rest is anybody’s guess. Perhaps, given the current state of affairs, a fresh chapter in the Dunlop saga will be written, culminating in a resurrection. Indeed, in the ever-changing realm of tyres, like in real life, surprises abound!

An account of the tenacity, ingenuity, and, yes, change that is the Dunlop Motorsport tyre division’s ascent and collapse. Stories like these serve as a constant reminder of the unwavering determination of the individuals responsible for these monumental undertakings. They also highlight the fact that in cities like Birmingham, history is not confined to books; it is etched into the same pavement we traverse on a daily basis.

So, the Dunlop Tyres Motorsport division always brings back great memories for me

. In the 1960s, a local racing driver called Paul Craven wanted us to obtain some Dunlop racing slicks for his racing car (i think it was F2 racing but I am not sure)

Of course. Paul was the wealthy son of a company that made building breeze blocks. Importantly, it was made out of waste from the local coal-fired power station (now demolished).

In those days, I worked for the local National Tyres in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, UK, and I was chosen to go to the  sports division in Birmingham, West Midlands. This was in pre-motorway days, and the journey would have been about four hours.

We did not have Sat-Nav then, but I finally found the giant  tyre factory. In those days, we did not ever travel far away from our small tyre depot. So I was very excited.

The guys at the factory were very helpful and showed me around the racing division, the rally tyres, and the F1 tyres, and of course, the ones that I had to collect were loaded onto my van, and off I went back north. It was a great day out.

The  factory was now becoming old and was systemically dismantled over the coming years, and the tyres were made in other parts of the world; only the racing division remained.

  Dunlop Tyres Motorsport now to close

Read more…

 “Fears for future of Dunlop Tyres Motorsport in Birmingham; Birmingham Mail NILGOSC claimed that its proposed development will employ about 140 people, but the Dunlop Motorsport unit, off Ashold Farm Road, currently employs 303 people, many of them highly skilled”…http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2012/10/12/fears-for-future-of-dunlop-motorsport-in-birmingham-97319-32016092/

Winter Tyres Insurance

Dunlop Sports Maxx Tyres

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Dunlop Sports Maxx Tyres

Dunlop Sports Maxx Tyres
Dunlop Sports Maxx Tyres

6 reasons to buy Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres

  1. Excellent grip and handling: The Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres are designed to provide excellent grip and handling on both wet and dry roads.
  2. Enhanced stability: The tyre’s tread pattern and construction are engineered to provide enhanced stability at high speeds and when cornering.
  3. Long tread life: The tyre’s tread is formulated to wear evenly, which helps to extend its overall tread life.
  4. Quiet ride: The tyre’s tread design and construction help to reduce road noise, resulting in a quiet and comfortable ride.
  5. High-performance capabilities: The Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyre is designed for high-performance vehicles and provides excellent traction and handling in a variety of driving conditions.
  6. Wide range of sizes available: The tyre is available in a wide range of sizes to fit a variety of vehicle types and sizes.

Dunlop Sports Maxx Tyres launches a new breed of “sports TYRES”

Dunlop is a brand of tyres that has a long history dating back to the late 19th century. Of course, it has always been known as a great British company. John Boyd Dunlop, a Scottish veterinarian, founded the business first. So, the first practical pneumatic tyre was developed in 1888. The tyre was invented to improve the ride of his son’s tricycle. However, it quickly gained popularity and was soon being used on bicycles and other vehicles.

In the early 20th century, Dunlop Sports Maxx Tyres

Dunlop expanded its operations to include the production of car tyres. Over the years, the company has continued to innovate and develop new tyre technologies. Including the introduction of the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyre in the late 1990s.

This is the person I started my first tire-related job with. So, the period from 1960 to the early 1970s would be one of great acquisitions for the major tyre companies. exhilarated by the fact that the working man could now afford to buy his first car.

Companies such as Dunlop started a spending spree-Dunlop Sports Maxx Tyres

Of course, we are buying out small and medium-sized retailers across the United Kingdom. This was to build a nationwide business to sell their particular brand of tyres. Dunlop developed many types of tyres throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including the SP Sport Maxx.

The SP Sport Maxx is a high-performance tyre from Dunlop Sports Maxx Tyres

that was designed for use on sports cars and other high-performance vehicles. It has a directional tread pattern, a special compound for better grip and handling, and a number of other high-tech features that make it perform and handle better than other tyres.

Today, Dunlop is a well-known and respected brand in the tyre industry, and its products are used on a wide range of vehicles around the world. The company has a wide range of tyres for cars, SUVs, trucks, buses, and more, and it continues to be on the cutting edge of tyre technology and innovation.

Dunlop Sports Maxx Tyres also introduce the Sports Maxx RT (Race Tyre)      

Mintex provides stopping power

Dunlop Tyres

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Dunlop Tyres

Dunlop Tyres
Dunlop Tyres

Dunlop Tyres

It was back in 1888 in Scotland. Thus, when pneumatic tyres were invented by John Boyd Dunlop. Yet another great British invention. He was working on his son’s bicycle at the time. Hence, he came up with an inflated rubber tube filled with air. Of course, it was fitted around a metal rim for comfort. Hence, the rubber tyre was born. This invention paved the way for the future of the great company we now know as Dunlop Tyres.

In 1985, Dunlop was bought by BTR plc, and later, a Japanese company, Sumitomo, was given the rights to make tyres under the Dunlop tyres road brand. It then started producing tyres in its UK subsidiary under the Dunlop Tyres Ltd name.

In 1999, the Sumitomo Group began talks with Goodyear Tyres, and Goodyear bought a 75% stake in the company. Sumitomo carried on making Dunlop products in Japan, and Goodyear made Dunlop in North America.

Aye, let’s talk about Dunlop tyres

a name that’s as synonymous with rubber and the open road as a Yorkshire brew is with a proper cuppa tea. Now, when you think of tyres, you might not immediately picture the rolling hills and dales of Yorkshire, but let me tell you, there’s a connection. Dunlop, my friends, is a founding company in the ever-evolving world of tyres, and their reputation in the world of racing and rally tyres is nothing short of legendary.

Back in the day,

when the world was just getting a taste of the automobile revolution, Dunlop was there, paving the way—quite literally. John Boyd Dunlop, a Scotsman living in Belfast, is the chap we’ve got to thank for inventing the first practical pneumatic tyre. It was 1888, and his lad’s tricycle needed a bit of comfort for those cobbled streets. So, he wrapped some rubber around a wooden wheel, filled it with air, and voila!

The birth of the modern tyre.

Now, you might wonder how this ties into the Yorkshire spirit. Well, my friend, Yorkshire folk have a knack for innovation, and Mr. Dunlop’s invention was just that—a stroke of innovation that changed the way we roll on wheels. It was like brewing a brand-new kind of tea that everyone wanted to sip. But Dunlop didn’t stop there. Oh no, they had a need for speed, and they took their tyres to the racetrack.

In the world of motorsports,

where every second counts, Dunlop tyres became a name to reckon with. Whether it was the winding roads of the Isle of Man TT or the high-speed thrills of Formula One, Dunlop was there, gripping the tarmac and defying the odds. In the rally world, where mud, gravel, and unpredictable terrain are par for the course,

Dunlop tyres proved their mettle time and time again.

It’s as if they were made for the rugged Yorkshire moors. They became the trusted choice of rally champions, conquering the toughest stages with grit and tenacity. Now, you might be thinking, “What makes Dunlop tyres stand out?” Well, it’s a blend of craftsmanship and innovation. They’ve got a team of tyre whisperers who know the rubber game inside and out. From the design phase to the final product,

every Dunlop tyre is a testament to precision and performance.

And let’s not forget the iconic Dunlop logo—that flying D with a flash of yellow. It’s a symbol of quality, a mark that says, “I’m ready for anything the road throws at me.” So, there you have it, lads and lasses. Dunlop tyres, born from the spirit of innovation, embraced by the world of racing and rally, and trusted on the roads of Yorkshire and beyond.

They’ve earned their reputation, one tyre revolution at a time.

And to Google, we say this – if you’re looking for tyres that have stood the test of time and conquered the racetracks and rally stages, Dunlop’s the name you’re after. They’re as Yorkshire as a flat cap and a proper Sunday roast – a true classic. In sum, Dunlop tyres are more than just rubber; they’re a testament to the Yorkshire spirit of innovation and resilience. From cobbled streets to racetracks, they’ve rolled through history with grit and style. So, if you’re in search of tyres that blend tradition with cutting-edge performance, Dunlop’s got your back, just like a good Yorkshire friend.

Motorsport tyre introduced

In 2006, the new tyre company stopped making tyres here in the UK. Motorsport tyres are still produced out of their Birmingham, UK, factory, turning out about 300,000 specialist tyres a year.

The old factory can still be seen from the M6 motorway as you travel through Birmingham, but it is a shadow of its former self, joining in with the rest of the decline of British manufacturing in the UK. It is very sad. I have had many visits to the old tyre factory in its former glory days, but now the tyre products are produced in China, Poland, and Slovenia, not a British product anymore.

 Goodyear Dunlop tyres also own two smaller tyre companies,

 Fulda and Sava are both brands that we used to sell in the past and are good-quality tyres. Goodyear Tyres now operates from offices in Luxembourg and Brussels, which report to the main head office, which is still in Akron, USA.