Dunlop named European LeMans Series supplier

GTE (E for “endurance”) is for limited-edition GT cars, at least 100 examples of which must have been produced for homologation; examples are Aston Martin GT, Ferrari 458, Porsche 911 RSR, BMW Z4, etc. The class tends to be a draw for manufacturer-backed teams.

GTC cars must be closer to production specifications. The class draws heavily on the FIA GT3 regulations for homologated cars. The class also is intended primarily for amateur drivers.

The ELMS preseason entry list shows nine entries in the LM-GTE and six in the GTC categories.

In recent years, Dunlop noted it has been competitive “open competition” GT racing as partners to the winners of the 2010 and 2013 Nürburgring 24 hours, 2010 and 2011 American LeMans Series GT2 class and 2012 European LeMans Series Champions.

Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO, noted that Dunlop and Le Mans are “two leading brands that are linked through their achievements in the world of endurance.” Cars running on Dunlop tires have won the LeMans 24 Hour 34 times.

“…their experience of building tyres for endurance racing will be of immense benefit to the teams competing in the ELMS,” Mr. Fillon said.

Dunlop Motorsport Director Jean-Felix Bazelin said, “…it is an honor to extend our partnership with the ACO to become a partner to the European Le Mans Series…. We look forward to working proactively with the ACO to further raise the profile of this important and prestigious championship.”

The company also will also continue to supply tires to competitors in the ELMS's LMP2 category, where it equipped the 2014 series championship team.

The 2015 European LeMans Series will comprise five four-hour races, starting April 10-11 at Silverstone, England, and concluding Oct. 17-18 at Estoril, Portugal.

Dunlop Motorsport, a business unit of Goodyear Dunlop Europe, also develops tires for and supplies two key touring car races series, the Australian V8 Supercar and British Touring Car championships.

Separately, the organizers of a new British series, the “Aston Martin GT4 Cup,” have chosen Dunlop Motorsport to be the official tire partner for the series inaugural season.

The series, for Aston Martin V8 Vantage race cars, will run several races this year at tracks throughout the United Kingdom, according to Aston Club Racing, the organizers, including Silverstone, Donington and Brands Hatch.

Dunlop will supply 2015 specification GT tires for all the 445-hp Aston Martin Vantage GT4 race cars in the series and will provide trackside technical support and service engineering at each race.