DTM has recently signed a three-year contract to make Hankook Tire the exclusive supplier for its series. After Dunlop pulled out of the series in late 2010, the series was left without an official tire for the 2011 season. With V8 engines, sequential transmissions, and some of the most dramatic and distinctive aerodynamics around, DTM racecars are known for being quick. It would be a complete crapshoot to leave DTM cars stuck on spec all-season rubber.

Eager to expand their brand and international presence (who doesn’t want pseudo-chic European appeal, right? – Ed.), Korean tire manufacturer Hankook recently signed on as the slick tire manufacturer for DTM. The 7^th largest tire manufacturer in the world, Hankook can now claim DTM along with its presence in Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, and time attack. Wait, does that sound right?

From DTM:

Wiesbaden. Effective immediately, Hankook Tire is the exclusive tyre supplier to the international touring-car series DTM. The contract recently signed between the tyre manufacturer and DTM umbrella organisation ITR is initially slated to run for three years. It takes account of both the current set of rules and regulations, valid until the end of 2011, and the future version, which is to apply starting in 2012, and covers the supply of equipment not only to the current teams, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, but also to other vehicle manufacturers as well (BMW from 2012 onward).

This exclusive partnership with the most popular international touring-car series heralds a new era in the motor sport activities of Hankook Tire, currently the seventh largest tyre manufacturer worldwide. In recent years, the company had focused its track racing motor sport activities on long-distance events, to resounding success in spectacular races including the 24-hours classics in Le Mans and on the Nürburgring. From now on the DTM will form the core of the international Hankook motor sport activities in the years to come.

Jin-Wook Choi, Executive Vice-President and European head of Hankook Tire: “The DTM is one of the most professional racing series around. Together with Audi and Mercedes-Benz, two of the world’s most successful premium car manufacturers, the DTM represents top-level international motor sport. That’s why we are very pleased at the trust and confidence that event organisers, vehicle manufacturers, and teams have placed in us and our brand, and we are proud to have been selected as the exclusive tyre partner for the years to come. Now we will focus all our efforts on bringing our motto ’Driving Emotion’ home to global fans of the DTM as well, and on demonstrating the superior quality of our products.”

Hans Werner Aufrecht, 1st Chairman of the Board, ITR e.V. (DTM commercial rights holder and promoter): “We are very happy with the long-term partnership with premium tyre manufacturer Hankook. During the negotiations prior to signing this contract, it already became apparent how motivated those in charge at Hankook are while dealing with the DTM project. The performance of the race tyres also convinced everyone involved right away. Personally, I am happy that we have found another international corporate group that is willing and able to keep our high pace and our quality standards as an exclusive supplier in the years to come. Hankook has everything it takes for that.”

Jamie Green DTM driver (Mercedes-Benz): “My first impressions of the new DTM tyres are all positive. Hankook has identified the requirements for a DTM tyre properly and managed to provide us with a tyre with high grip level and good load capacity right away. The first tests with the new tyres were great and I am looking forward to work with the new DTM tyre partner and to have exciting races in the coming season.”

BMWs have long been renowned as both luxurious and as drivers’ cars. The former is because they hail from the land of Bavarian delights, infused with leather, climate controls and solid materials. The latter is because BMW has stuck to its guns over the years, retaining rear-wheel drive across most of its line and using manual or semi-manual transmissions exclusively in its popular M models (the M SUVs don’t count – Ed.).

But simply denying the addition of a torque converter doesn’t inherently make a great car. BMWs have been blessed for years with superb driver control, feedback and handling. It comes as no surprise that the German manufacturer can be seen in road racing, rally racing (we daydream every time that we see an E30 M3 rally video), drag racing, drifting and even motorcycle racing. In the US time attack scene, it’s Berk Technology’s BMW 135i that is keeping the flame alive.

Just a couple years ago, BMW announced the development and release of their new twin-turbocharged inline-six gasoline engine. In the US, the engine debuted in the BMW 335i and 135i models and pushed just a hair over 300hp in stock trim. With the turbo engine in place, both cars were nearly as capable as the M3 but at a lower price.

The ability to simply raise the boost and up the power made the turbo setup even more tempting. Nearly identical in many mechanical respects, the 135i’s squat body gave it a couple hundred pound advantage over the larger 3-series car.

In their third year of time attack racing, Berk Technology decided to tackle the turbo BMW platform, entering this BMW 135i. Having previously campaigned a turbocharged Toyota MR2 and a Honda S2000, Berk Technology was no stranger to the track. As a manufacturer of exhaust and intake parts, Berk was also no stranger to modifying a performance car. But the BMW 135i brought its own issues.

The car was fresh and new, a great platform with which to reach new buyers and market the company. But the BMW was also untested and unproven, requiring patience and R&D. The choice was made early on to keep the BMW build simple and relatable. The Berk 135i was soon built for and campaigned in the Redline Time Attack Street Class.

This BMW 135i remains street legal with the stereo, climate control and most of the interior still intact. The race exhaust and graphics scheme are a bit much for a daily driver but this car is used mostly for time attack competition, taken to and from events without a trailer. With the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 street tires mounted up, this BMW is fully capable of driving to the track, setting records and then heading home in comfort.

Precious pounds have been shed with the removal of the rear trim and backseat, addition of a smaller battery and switch to Seibon carbon fiber on the hood and trunk. The APR Performance aero additions are also carbon fiber, covering the rear wing and front wind splitter.

With the addition of Berk downpipes and exhaust, AFE intake and Code3 intercooler, power output has jumped past the 300whp mark. A Quaife limited-slip differential has been added but the six-speed drivetrain otherwise remains stock. The fixed caliper BMW/Brembo brakes in the rear have been retained but the front has seen a swap to a six-piston Rotora big brake kit, complete with two-piece rotors.

The suspension system is (relatively) mildly modified, outfit with a set of KW Variant 3 coilovers. The KW V3 coilovers are based around double adjustable twin-tube dampers, which Berk Technology has fit with custom spring rates. Final fine-tuning of the 135i’s balance can be done with the H&R swaybars. Vorshlag camber plates are used up front to properly dial in the correct alignment settings.

Size tested: 235/45/17
Type: Ultra-high performance tire
UTQG: 240 AA A
Test car: Project Evo IX

Features:
·    Lower sidewalls reinforced with DuPont Kevlar material
·    Jointless Band Technology to help maintain shape and performance at highway speeds
·    Max Flange Shield to protect rims from curb damage
·    Asymmetric design for easy mounting and tire rotation
·    Motorsport-inspired tread compound that promises dry and wet grip
·    Multi-Radius-Tread Technology that promises to distribute contact patch pressure smoothly during cornering
·    Unique bead fit system helps with tire and wheel mounting pressure

At the moment, it seems most tire companies just want to go to war in the performance street tire market. With outright handling records and SCCA Street Touring autocross national championships on the line, numerous tires have been released with 180 or lower UTQG ratings.

These premiere street offerings provide race tire-level grip but they also come with race-level pricing and incredibly quick tire wear. Not everybody can afford a new set of tires every six months. Luckily, Dunlop has released an ultra-high performance tire for real world street enthusiasts, the SP Sport Maxx TT.

As a summer tire, the SP Sport Maxx TT isn’t designed to be driven through snow or ice. It is, however, designed to provide optimal dry and wet weather grip. Think of it as a year-round Southern California tire (sorry Alaska). Dunlop’s recipe for the tire begins with the construction, which uses Kevlar reinforcement and Polyamide cord reinforced twin steel belts.

The tire tread itself is an asymmetric design that blends large tread blocks, for dry grip, with multiple water evacuation channels, for wet conditions. The SP Sport Maxx TT also features a curb protecting design that bulges slightly to protect wheels from scraping against curbs when parking.

“The SP Sport Maxx TT helps deliver great road feel, which is important for those who really love to drive.  The timely feedback from these tires allows the driver to react to turns and contours in the road,” said Razvan Bosomoiu, Dunlop general manager. By the time you read this, the SP Sport Maxx TT will be available in thirty-five sizes, ranging from 16-22-inch diameters.

On the streets of the real world, the SP Sport Maxx TT is a perfect fit. We tested these tires in a stock size fitment of 235/45R17 (on stock wheels) on Project Lancer Evo IX, which is equipped with stiff springs and spherical upper suspension mounts. Even with hard metal suspension bearings, the tire transmitted very little road noise into the cabin and, with 45-series sidewalls, absorbed bumps and shocks with ease.

Vibration through the steering wheel and directional hunting across the road was almost non-existent as well, which is more than we can say for some edgier performance street tires. With a UTQG rating of 240, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT should also provide plenty of tire life before wearing out.