Firestone Indy 500 Tyre
Firestone Indy 500 Tyre; Motorsport news from Formula 1, GP2, GP3, Formula E, WEC, Indycar and MotoGP
As a tyre dealer for over 40 years. I have always admired the Firestone tyre brand?
Firestone tyres were plagued by problems in the early days of steel belted tyres. The North American tyre company were primarily making bias belted tyres for the American market. These bias tyres suited the type of suspension that was used on many of the American cars at the time.
However radial tyres were being fitted to cars in the European car market and were coming out with staggering mileage figures. These tyres were becoming the buzz word in the tyre markets of Europe, with Michelin X tyres leading the way.
Other tyre manufacturers were struggling to keep up with the performance of the steel belted tyres from Michelin. The problem was to be that the tyre manufacturers could not find a way of coating the steel wire which made up the steel belts, with a protection from oxidisation, (rusting).
Michelin had patented their method. Hence, of protecting the steel cords from rusting. When a tyre steel belt rusts. Then it causes the tyres layers to separate. Thus, causing an “egg” to form and the tyre goes out of shape and vibrates the car. This makes the car almost impossible to drive and the tyre has to be changed.
Firestone tyres.Were to be the victims of the same thing. Along with Goodyear tyres. Firestone started to have major problems, when making their first steel radials. Tyres were separating causing all sorts of problems, both in the USA and in Europe.
Firestone Indy 500 Tyre
Firestone has always had a long-established connection to the motor-racing scene including the making of the Firestone Indy 500 Tyre. Eventually, Michelin sold the patent for making their steel wire rust proof and the tyre world’s steel belt issues fell.
Firestone then suffered a second period of tyres with best problems, mainly on Ford 4X4 trucks. This time, Firestone were sued and became very close to bankruptcy.
The company was bought by the massive Bridgestone tyre corporation of Japan. Since then Firestone tyres have begun to regain some credit and now make any excellent tyre product. The Firestone Indy 500 Tyre, is a perfect example of the quality of the tyres that are produced today.
Firestone has always been an iconic tyre brand, for all my tyre life and they still are. I must congratulate them for producing such a great looking tyre.
Sourced through Scoop.it from www.grandprixtimes.com
Tyres are Eric's life long passion. Apart from running his business Eric is a keen Blogger and runs 4 online websites relating to his business.
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