UK tyre body says supercar drivers run on dodgy tyres

London - Over 30 percent of tyres removed from high performance cars at a specialist high-performance tyre outlet proved to be potentially dangerous, according to a statement from TyreSafe, the voice of the UK tyre industry. This compares with a national average of around 12 percent, on more normal vehicles, said the group.

Many of these cars, say TyreSafe, are not used regularly, and so tyres are not being checked on a weekly basis. Furthermore, high performance tyres tend to be more hidden under the wheel arch than those which are of more conventional size and therefore, visual checks of the tread are consequently more difficult to undertake.

TyreSafe is urging drivers of high performance cars to take advantage of free tyre checks offered by all reputable tyre dealers. This is to ensure that their tyres are legal and are capable of matching both the performance and handling potential of the car.

The study was performed over a two month period, in which tyre technicians checked the condition of tyres removed from high performance cars at a tyre depot in the south of England.

In addition to risking a £2,500 fine and 3-penalty points on the driver's licence, worn tyres increase the risk of an accident on wet roads. Independent research undertaken by the tyre industry at the Motor Industry Research Association showed that the ability of tyres to grip in the wet fall dramatically with a tread depth below 3mm.

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Press release from TyreSafe