New F2 series chooses Avon racing tyres

KENT, England (March 4, 2009) - FIA Formula 2, a new European racing series designed to offer “affordable” high-caliber open-wheel racing, will roll out this year on Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.'s Avon racing tires as the spec tire.

The series marks the return of the Formula 2 concept after a 25-year hiatus, according to the series' backers, MotorSport Vision (MSV). The new F2 series - being pitched as a stepping stone to the international Formula 1 championship - offers competitors the chance to compete in a formula car built to international specs at a fixed cost of about $285,000 per season.

The new F2 car was designed by Williams F1 - a long-time F1 competitor - and features ground-effect aerodynamics, a 400-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged Audi four-cylinder engine and a six-speed paddle shifter.

MSV, a racing industry company headed by former F2 and F1 driver Jonathan Palmer, has used Avon since 1998 as the control tire supplier of the Formula Palmer Audi championship it started that year. All the F2 cars are manufactured to identical specification and run entirely by MSV to ensure a level playing field for all entrants, Avon said.

The contract with Avon calls for each competitor to have four sets of dry weather tires per race weekend - two new sets and two used sets from previous weekends - and up to two sets of new wet weather tires, depending on conditions.

“Avon has a history of supplying tires to (Formula 1) feeder championships and we're proud to continue that tradition,” said Julian Baldwin, managing director of Cooper Tire Europe.

Terms of the contract with Avon were not disclosed.

The inaugural season comprises eight two-race weekends at tracks in six countries, starting May 29-31 in Valencia, Spain, and ending Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at Barcelona, Spain.

MSV will maintain 24 cars throughout the inaugural season.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)

Website