Yokohama Tires Providence RI

Bridgestone has said that 2010 will be its last season of F1 racing. No more tires, no more dollars.

And while most of the motorsport world’s F1 attention has been focused on whether Renault will remain in (yes it will) and if Michael Schumacher will suit up again (apparently he will), no one is addressing the 800-pound gorilla in the room: How can you run a race series without tires?

Apparently ignoring the problem means it just doesn’t exist. But given the amount of time any tiremaker would need to develop proper rubber for high-torque F1 racers, someone needs to start soon. Like now.

So where do we stand with the world’s tiremakers? It depends on whether you believe their public statements or not. Here is what they have said, and here is what Conventional Wisdom thinks:

Bridgestone: Says it’s out after 2010 season. CW: The Bridgestone brand is out. Firestone? Already on Indy cars, so the development curve isn’t that bad.

Michelin: Says it will not return. CW: Still PO’d at FIA for how it was treated during its last two years in the series, so it’s not at all likely for the Michelin brand. BFGoodrich though...

Goodyear: Says it won’t return. CW: Has its hands full with NASCAR, but it said nothing about the Dunlop brand, which has a historic F1 connection.

Yokohama: Has made no public statement. CW: Likely no.

Toyo: Has made no public statement. CW: Has other issues on its plate, so it’...

YTC has widened the size range of its popular all-season touring tire, the AVID TRZ (Three Ride Zones), to include 10 new H-rated sizes. These new tires improve upon the TRZ line’s considerable range of fitments to now include more European, Asian and domestic vehicles that require an H-speed rating along with the AVID TRZ’s proven premium ride quality.


“The AVID TRZ’s performance and price have made it one of our best-selling tires,” said Dan King, Yokohama vice president, sales and marketing. “It’s consistently one of the best reviewed touring tires on the market and, with this size expansion, many more people will experience its all-weather capabilities and performance.”

Featuring Three Ride Zones, for winter traction, water evacuation and cornering grip, the AVID TRZ offers performance for every season and road condition. Yokohama’s proprietary 3D Adaptive Sipes – a patent-pending design that change shape as the tire wears – provide excellent traction on wet, snowy and icy conditions. Four deep circumferential grooves, two of which are continuous for maximum road contact and grip, help expel water, while cross supporting tread blocks work together to provide superior traction during cornering.

“We’ve made a tire that delivers outstanding driving satisfaction, long tread life and comfort,” added King. “It fits a substantial population of vehicles, ranging fr...