Dunlop Sport Maxx Production Cup to Star in 2007 Great & British Festivals

03 January 2006

Dunlop Tyres and the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) have announced the launch of the Dunlop Sport Maxx Production Cup, a new series that promises to offer a genuine stepping stone to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

BARC recently announced their intention to launch a race series for production saloon and sports coupe cars in 2007. The announcement that the races will take place on the 2007 Dunlop Great and British Festival package will ensure that the series has the high profile that will attract manufacturer and dealer support.

The Dunlop Great and British Festivals will run in 2006 with the Radical Enduro, BiDuro, Ginetta and Mini Championships, with the Dunlop Sport Maxx Production Cup joining the 2007 package.

“Production Car racing was hugely successful in the 1970s and 1980s as a feeder series to the British Touring Car Championship, and with the resurgence in the hot hatch and sports coupe market in recent years, we are confident the time is right to introduce a series for current cars” stated Dale Wells of BARC

The 2007 series is likely to feature six double header events at Dunlop Great and British Festivals. The class structure will allow an eclectic mix of contemporary performance cars ranging from junior hot hatches such as the Mini Cooper, Citroen C2 VTS and Nissan Micra 160SR through to turbocharged machinery such as the latest Volkswagen Golf GTi and Vauxhall Astra VXR. Coupes as diverse as the BMW 3-series, Mazda RX-8 and Audi TT would also be eligible.

James Bailey of Dunlop added: “The Dunlop Great and British Festivals aim to put national motorsport back on the map in 2006 with action packed events supported by television coverage. For 2007, the addition of the Dunlop Sport Maxx Production Cup will enhance the Festivals and complement our sponsorship of the British Touring Car Championship”

All cars will run on the latest Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ultra high performance road tyres. The recently launched Sport Maxx is a directional tyre featuring an innovative multi-radius tread design that ensures optimum road contact, even during heavy cornering. The tyre is already approved as original equipment on a range of cars including the Renault Megane 225 Trophy, Audi A8 and the new Jaguar XK Coupe.