A Ferrari 550 Maranello fitted with Michelin tyres
has smashed three existing speed records on the oval circuit of the Transportation
Research Centre in Ohio, USA.The records, approved by the SCCA and FIA and under the
scrutiny of Quattroruote Magazine established new speeds of 304.138kph over 100 kms,
306.037 kph over 100 miles and a record distance travelled in one hour of 296.406 km.
The previous records, established by a prototype Chevrolet Corvette, were 278.156 kph,
282.592kph and 280.835 km respectively.
Driver Duillio Truffo, director of the driver training centre at Monza, made the
attempt on behalf of Quattroruote Magazine, scoring the fastest speeds for 100 km and 100
miles. He was assisted by American driver Csaba Csere of Car and Driver Magazine for the
successful attempt on the maximum kilometres completed in one hour.
The Michelin tyres fitted to the Ferrari were 235/45 R18 Pilot SX MXX3 on the front and
295/35R18 Pilot SX MXX3 on the rear.
According to both drivers the choice of Michelin tyres assisted considerably in the
success of the event, due to the minimal change in temperatures and pressures evidenced by
the tyres during the challenge.
Michelin race tyres have scored well this year in Australian circuit racing, with all
major contenders in the 1998 BOC Gases Australian Super Touring Championship choosing to
run with Michelin technology.
October has also been a significant month for Michelin in Motorsport, with race winning
successes at the AMP Bathurst 1000 in NSW and the Australian Motor Cycle Grand Prix at
Phillip Island in Victoria.
Michelin Pilot was the dominant tyre for the AMP Bathurst 1000 and was selected for
nine of the top ten cars in practice sessions and a total of 23 vehicles of the 42
entrants.
At the chequered flag, Michelin came home with consecutive wins in 1-5th
placings for race winners Rydell and Richards in the Volvo S40, Richards and Neal in the
Nissan Primera, Jones and McConvile in the Audi A4 Quattro, McLean and Scott in the BMW
320I and Cleland and Warwick in the Vauxhall Vectra.
Not only was the AMP Bathurst 1000 a first time win for Volvo, it was the first time a
front wheel drive car had crossed the line in 1st place ahead of the rear wheel
drive BMWs and all-wheel-drive Audi A4 Quattros, most of which also ran Michelin Pilot
tyres.
At Philip Island, Michael Doohan crossed the winning line with Michelin tyres on his
Repsol Honda to secure his 5th consecutive World Championship title.
And overseas, Briton Carl Fogarty scored a record third consecutive Superbike World
Championship riding his Ducati with Michelin tyres at the Sugo Sportland circuit in Japan.
Michelin Pilot tyres are available in Australia to fit a wide range of high performance
vehicles, and their success underlines the significance of Michelin’s continuing
research and development programme.
