Nokian Tyres helps set world ice-speed record

Oulu, Finland - A new world record speed for driving on ice was achieved when four-times

world rally champion Juha Kankkunen reached a speed of 321 km/h on a track ploughed on the ice of the Gulf of Bothnia next to the city of Oulu. The Bentley Continental GT used for the record attempt was equipped with Nokian Hakkapeliitta Sport Utility 5 studded winter tyres. The tyres have been designed and developed for city SUVs.

A statement from Nokian said, "As the air resistance increases, more traction is needed in order to pick up speed. The tyres are under immense pressure at these high speeds, and their diameter can increase by 15-20 mm.

"In order to achieve a steady driving speed of 320 km/h, you need a traction force of approximately 3000 N. For the vehicle to accelerate, you need even more force. The tyres must be able to transfer this force into the ice, or the tyre will slip and the vehicle will not accelerate as hoped," explains Nokian Tyres Development Manager Kai Hauvala.

when a vehicle moves at a speed of 320 km/h, a stud weighing one gram creates a pulling force equivalent to approximately 2.2 kg. The vehicle covers 90 metres in one second, and each stud hits the ice more than 40 times a second.

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Press release from Nokian