Dunlop at the heart of New Zealand motorsport

Dunlop at the heart of New Zealand motorsport

New Zealand, 20 July 2016 – Dunlop’s DFH racing tyre has been chosen as KartSport NZ’s official dry control tyre, following a rigorous selection process that saw Dunlop picked ahead of three competitor brands.

The partnership will run for three years from January 2017 and complements the Dunlop KT12 tyre, which is the wet control tyre for all KartSport NZ-restricted events. Both are distributed exclusively by Dunlop’s kart tyre supplier, Lascom Motorsport.

“Karting in this country is a breeding ground for homegrown international racing stars of the likes of Scott Dixon, Hayden Paddon, Mitch and Simon Evans, Fabian Coulthard and Shane van Gisbergen,” said Dunlop NZ Motorsport Manager Richard Fraser. “Our association at this grassroots level ensures that Dunlop will continue to be at the heart of Kiwi motorsport success.

““This partnership, along with Lascom Motorsport, further strengthens our relationship with KartSport NZ, and with New Zealand motorsport as a whole, KartSport NZ has made major strides in recent years to restructure and rejuvenate karting in New Zealand, and we’re very keen to work together, with Lascom Motorsport, to further enhance competitor experience at all levels,” he added.

Lascom Motorsport director Brian Waldmeyer, who is often found trackside at karting events across the North Island, said everyone is looking forward to trying out the Dunlop DFH tyre next year.

“It’s used in Australia and the talk over there is that it’s a very good, competitive tyre,” said Waldmeyer. “I’m also in the process of setting up an exclusive Dunlop website, which I’ll use solely to promote Dunlop kart tyres and merchandise.”

A longtime supporter of the sport in New Zealand, Waldmeyer also recently established a $7,000 travel fund to assist up-and-coming karters when travelling to international events.

KartSport NZ national president Graeme Moore is delighted that Dunlop and Lascom Motorsport will be further investing in the sport.

“We look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership over the three years commencing January 2017.”

Quick praise

Going fast is in Simon Evans blood. The former karter won his first NZ Touring Car Championship in 2015 and repeated the feat this following season. His younger brother Mitch is currently competing in the GP2 Championship.

Both got their first taste of competitive motorsport in karting, and Evans is acutely aware of the role karting played in his development.

“Karting is an incredibly important part of motorsport. If you look at F1, every single driver has come through karting. It teaches you race craft, the feel of driving and how to give feedback.”

The Dunlop standard

The Dunlop DFH tyre was a standout during the international CIK-FIA* homologation testing in 2014.

It completed 268.442km in testing – the most of any tyre put up for homologation – while also setting the fastest time, eclipsing its nearest rival by over three-tenths of a second.

* The CIK-FIA is the karting commission of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile.

DFH features and benefits

· Top-quality kart tyre.

· Dimensional uniformity and batch consistency.

· Better performance.

· Better wear for better value.

· Better consistency.

· Better handling and drive.

In addition to providing KartSport New Zealand’s wet and dry control tyres, Dunlop also provides tyres to the following race series in New Zealand:

· New Zealand Rallying Championship

· BNT NZ Touring Cars Championship

· 2K Cup

ends

© Scoop Media