McLaren Trophy has extended its official tire partnership with Pirelli, with the tire maker supplying tires and on-track technical support across all McLaren Trophy series in both Europe and North America for the next three years.

The renewed partnership focuses on delivering optimal performance, consistency and safety for competitors, while enabling close cooperation in tire development, trackside engineering, logistics and data sharing to enhance race weekend operations.

“We are delighted to continue our close relationship with Pirelli as our official tire supplier partner,” said Giorgio Sanna, head of motorsport, McLaren Automotive. “McLaren Trophy is a growing platform and tire performance is central to the competitiveness and safety of our championship.

Continue reading Pirelli and McLaren Trophy extend official tire supplier partnership at Tire Technology International.

Continental has expanded its SportContact family with the SportContact 7 Force, an ultra‑ultra‑high‑performance summer tire engineered for selected high‑performance sports cars and which has will equip the new Brabus BODO, the global tuning company’s latest high-performance supercar.

The SportContact 7 Force was developed for maximum control at high speed on the road and on the racetrack. The dedicated derivative carries the BB sidewall identification, manufactured exclusively for Brabus.

Drawing on Continental’s tread concept seen in the SportContact 7, the SportContact 7 Force responds quickly to changing loads to keep control high and reactions precise even at high speeds.

Continue reading Continental SportContact 7 Force UUHP summer tire debuts on Brabus BODO at Tire Technology International.

Goodyear has expanded its Blue Streak range, which spans everything from vintage American machinery to modern classic Le Mans prototypes and touring car icons.

The company has unified its historic racing products under a single Goodyear-branded portfolio, expanding the range with 57 additional sizes and specifications.

“Historic racers don’t choose tires because of nostalgia alone,” said Xavier Fraipont, vice president of Goodyear Racing. “They choose our tires because they continue to deliver the authentic performance, confidence and consistency these legendary cars demand on track. Bringing the entire range under the Goodyear name reflects the scale of our commitment to historic motorsport and reinforces the role racing heritage continues to play in shaping our brand worldwide.”

In line with strict FIA Appendix K homologation requirements, all approved production methods, molds, specifications and performance characteristics will remain fully preserved to maintain period authenticity.

Continue reading Goodyear expands portfolio for historic race cars at Tire Technology International.

After more than a decade away from the segment, Hankook Tire has returned to the super-sport tire market with the Ventus evo Z, a high-performance summer tire designed for both track and everyday road use. The company says the tire offers greater tread depth and durability than a semi-slick tire while maintaining grip and handling characteristics suited to track driving.

The Hankook Ventus evo Z (Z001) is a sporty summer tire with an ECE approval number, meeting all statutory requirements, including having a minimum tread depth of greater than 1.6mm. It is intended for drivers of sports cars, the tuning community, motorsport enthusiasts and competitors in junior racing series.

Continue reading Hankook returns to super-sport tire segment with Ventus evo Z at Tire Technology International.

Pirelli has announced that it will introduce the F0468 rear specification for the WorldSBK round in the Czech Republic, which is held at a circuit known for being particularly demanding on tires.

The tire maker will introduce the new F0468 medium rear specification for the fifth round of the FIM Superbike World Championship at the Czech circuit of Most, which is known for placing high mechanical stress on tires. The solution uses the same compound as the D0922 but features a new structure designed to improve performance consistency over race distance and enhance stability. It represents an evolution of the E0829, sharing the same compound but incorporating updated construction for improved performance.

Continue reading Pirelli introduces medium rear tire for WorldSBK in Czech Republic at Tire Technology International.

Dunlop Motorcycle Europe has renewed its role as title sponsor and exclusive tire supplier for the Campionato Italiano Velocità (CIV) for another season. This marks its third consecutive year providing tires across all classes in the championship.

Under the agreement, Dunlop supplies the entire grid with slick and wet tires from its KR racing range, which includes both established race specifications and development tires. Around 130 riders are using Dunlop tires in the championship, with the Superbike class being the largest field at 37 riders.

At the Misano round, different classes receive specific tire allocations. In Superbike, riders can select from two front KR109 options and three rear KR108 options, including a qualifying tire.

Continue reading CIV continues with Dunlop as exclusive tire supplier and development partner at Tire Technology International.

Bespoke versions of the Pirelli P Zero R have been developed for the new Audi RS 5 and RS 3 Competition Limited. Designed to balance everyday usability with track performance, the tires have been developed with a focus on improved grip and shorter braking distances. Audi RS was among the first to adopt the P Zero R. The fitments build on more than 25 years of collaboration between Pirelli and Audi Sport in developing tailored tires for high-performance vehicles.

Ad-hoc development

Audi’s primary objective was braking performance. The P Zero R has been designed to approach the levels of performance of the semi-slick Trofeo R, delivering very short stopping distances and consistent deceleration under demanding conditions.

Continue reading Audi RS models get bespoke Pirelli P Zero R tires at Tire Technology International.

The Lotus Cup China has appointed Giti Tire as official race tire supplier. The 2026 season will run across five rounds from April to December, featuring 17 teams, 58 drivers and 44 cars. Competitors will run the GitiCompete GTR1 slick tire in sizes 240/650R18 and 300/650R18.

The season opener took place last weekend (April 3-5) at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, which is known for its high temperatures and demanding layout, placing significant emphasis on tire durability, consistency and thermal performance. Round 2 will take place in Shanghai.

The GitiCompete GTR1 has been developed specifically for motorsport use, with a focus on grip, stability, and predictable handling under race conditions.

Continue reading GitiCompete GTR1 selected as official tire for Lotus Cup China 2026 at Tire Technology International.

Kumho Tire USA has announced a three-year sponsorship extension with Formula Drift. Additionally, drivers Jeff Jones, Andy Hateley, Rome Charpentier, Jack Shanahan, Ryan Litteral and Cody Buchanan will represent Team Kumho in the 2026 Formula Drift Pro Championship. Supported drivers will run Kumho Ecsta V730 tires, engineered for the demanding conditions of competitive driving environments.

“As one of the most popular motorsports in the United States for millennial and Gen Z generations, Formula Drift offers an unparalleled platform to showcase the ultra-high performance capabilities of Kumho tires and we are thrilled to be an official tire sponsor through 2029,” said Shawn Denlein, president of sales and marketing.

Continue reading Three-year extension sees Kumho continue as an official tire of Formula Drift at Tire Technology International.

Bridgestone will supply Battlax motorcycle tires to seven teams in the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), up from five teams in 2025, as it continues its partnership with the series that began in 2017.

The announcement follows a successful 2025 season in which the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team secured the championship at the Bol d’Or. Bridgestone-equipped teams also filled five of the top six positions in the overall standings, with the company extending its title-winning streak in the series with the fifth consecutive year that a Bridgestone-equipped team has won the championship.

“The FIM Endurance World Championship represents the ultimate proving ground for tire performance, durability and innovation.

Continue reading Seven teams to run Bridgestone tires in 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship at Tire Technology International.