Published 20th September, 2010
Chinese tyre manufacturer DMACK will join Michelin as the exclusive suppliers to the 2011 World Rally Championship.
The deal is a coup for the Chinese manufacturer whose parent company, The Shandong Yongtai Chemical Group, was only founded in 1996. Currently, the Dongying plant produced more than 22,000 tyres daily for global distribution, with products complying with the European REACH regulations on use of environmental products in manufacture.
The news means DMACK will provide a lower-cost option for privateer and support category teams, rather than the manufacturer outfits, where budgets are tighter. A change in WRC rules by the world motorsports body the FIA has allowed DMACK to enter the 13-round series which starts in Sweden in February next year.
Gravel tyres will be available for testing from the end of October 2010.