FIA OKs British tyre distributor DMACK for WRC

ERJ staff report (TB)

Carlisle, UK - The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has approved a British race tyre distributor with ties to China's Shandong Yongtai Chemical Group to be an authorised tyre supplier for next year's World Rally Championship (WRC) with its DMACK tyre brand.

Carlisle-based DMACK Ltd. today that the FIA named it as one of two tyre suppliers sanctioned to supply the WRC next year, according to Dick Cormack, who is listed as DMACK Tyres motorsports director. The FIA on its own has not disclosed the identities of the WRC tyre suppliers, but Group Michelin disclosed late yesterday the sanctioning body has authorised it to be a WRC supplier.

DMACK did not spell out in its press materials whether Shandong Yongtai-maker of the Durun street tyre brand-has any ownership stake in DMACK, although it calls DMACK Tyres a “new Chinese motorsport tyre manufacturer.”

Dongying, China-based Shandong Yongtai did not release information independently pertaining to the deal. DMACK said in its materials it brings 15 years of motorsport experience to the venture, but it offered no specifics.

DMACK said it will aim its supply at privateer teams and support category competitors by offering race tyres at affordable prices. Cormack said DMACK is testing its proposed WRC tyres at “our research facility in China” with veteran British rally driver Mark Higgins at the wheel.

The company said it should have WRC-spec gravel tyres available for testing starting in late October. DMACK said the WRC tyres comply with the European Parliament's REACH regulations, which require manufacturers and importers to use substances that have no harmful effect on human health or the environment.

An Internet search for Dick Cormack turned up a website, www.rallytyres.com, which promotes the DMACK Grippa line of rally tyres.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)