Goodyear has been appointed by the Nürburgring as official tire partner, extending the tire company’s long relationship with the famous German circuit.
The new partnership sees Goodyear extending its tire support to the entire Nürburgring fleet, including the Nürburgring Driving Academy, the Ring°kartbahn and the off-road park. The extended collaboration means that all company vehicles in the Nürburgring fleet will be fitted with tires from Goodyear’s extensive summer and winter portfolio. As part of the partnership, Goodyear will expand its brand presence on one of the world’s most famous and challenging race tracks.
The tire manufacturer will have the status as ‘official tire partner’ of the Nürburgring and can use the Nürburgring Partner logo as part of its brand communication. « Goodyear is the prime example of a partnership in action. Especially in these times, it is important to be able to rely on each other. That’s why we are delighted that our official tire partner is strengthening its commitment even further, » says Michael Dürbaum, Head of Sales and Business Development at the Nürburgring.
« We are very pleased to further intensify our long-standing successful cooperation with the Nürburgring, » explains Dr. André Weisz, Managing Director Consumer at Goodyear Germany. « We are convinced that the status of ‘official tire partner’ will further increase our visibility in Germany as a leading tire manufacturer, especially in the UUHP (Ultra-ultra high performance) segment. The increased visibility of the Goodyear brand on the prestigious circuit also underlines the long motorsport heritage of the Goodyear brand and its return to German racing. »
Goodyear has had an official partnership with the circuit for over ten years. This extension includes Goodyear branding at the circuit and the rebranding of the VIP lounge directly above the start-finish straight.
This rebranding supports Goodyear’s renaissance in German and international motorsport, with the tire company enjoying class wins in the Nurburgring NLS Endurance Series in their comeback season last year. The NLS takes place exclusively on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the famous 25km circuit in the Eifel mountains that was deemed unsuitable for Formula One after the 1976 Grand Prix, a race won by James Hunt’s Goodyear equipped McLaren. Since then the notoriously challenging circuit has been upgraded and is used for both the NLS championship and has an annual visit from another Goodyear racing series, the FIA World Touring Car Cup.
The Nordschleife is used by car and tire manufacturers to test their latest products to the limit and Goodyear has a development centre based at the circuit. The validation of their latest Eagle F1 SuperSport RS UUHP tires, which are homologated for cars such as the Porsche 911 GT2 RS and GT3 RS, took place on the mammoth 170-corner circuit.
James Bailey,