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V8 Supercars has announced that Dunlop has renewed its deal as the category’s sole tyre supplier.
The new deal begins in 2013, coinciding with the Car of the Future program that will see an 18 inch wheel and tyre package introduced.
Speedcafe.com understands that Dunlop secured the deal against a rival tender from Yokohama.
Dunlop took over from Japanese rival Bridgestone as the V8 Supercars tyre supplier in 2002.
By the end of the new contract in 2017, Dunlop will have been the sole tyre supplier for 16 years.
“This is a fantastic result for Dunlop and strong validation of the good job we have done in the Championship over the years, the results of which are clear to see,” said Dunlop V8 Supercars Operations Manager Kevin Fitzsimons.
“By the time the new contract expires, we will have supplied around 200,000 tyres to the teams since first winning it in 2002.
“With the V8 Supercar CotF (Car of the Future) program well underway for a 2013 implementation, we will also be working very closely with the V8 Supercars to develop the new 18 inch tyres that will be put into action.”
V8 Supercars Chief Executive Officer Martin Whitaker said the interest in the tender was the strongest it had ever been.
“It was a hard won tender process which shows the global popularity of V8 Supercars and underlines the brand value in associating with our sport,’ Whitaker said.
”Dunlop in the end was the worthy recipient and continues our long association with this great company in a critical time for the sport with the Car of the Future just around the corner.”
