DUNLOP became a partner to the MSA British Touring Car Championship back in 2003, initially as tyre sole supplier, and then taking over as title sponsor in 2005. Dunlop and the BTCC have been inextricably linked since, and the relationship is one of the most enduring and successful in British motorsport.

Even before Dunlop became the sole tyre supplier it was one of the most successful tyre manufacturers competing in the series, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. In 2018, Dunlop also celebrates its 130th year as a tyre brand.

In 1888, John Boyd Dunlop patented the first tyre made of canvas bonded with liquid rubber to make his son’s tricycle more comfortable to ride.

Today, Dunlop has a huge database of knowledge from which to develop the four different compounds across its Dunlop Sport Maxx BTCC tyres.

Last year, Dunlop introduced its newest range, which featured bigger tyre sizes and new constructions. The three dry weather tyres – prime tyre, soft option tyre and hard option tyre – all offer drivers stability under braking and consistency throughout a race distance. The BluResponse Wet offers improved aquaplaning resistance with a revised tread pattern and the same 20mm width increase as the slick tyres.

Dunlop’s designers have to create tyres that will work on a number of different manufacturer of car, both front and rear-wheel-drive, and for eight very different circuits.

Dunlop is also faced with several other considerations - track and ambient temperatures, the length of the races, the types of corners, heavy braking and traction, and the track surface.

The temperature variance across the circuits from potentially 3 to 52 degrees, is also a consideration, however the wide operating window of the Dunlop Sport Maxx BTCC tyres allow temperatures of 60-120 degrees.

At each round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, except Thruxton, Dunlop chooses an option tyre to use along the Sport Maxx Prime tyre.

Recognised by a bright yellow sidewall, the Prime tyre will be used in two races at Croft with the Sport Maxx Option Hard tyre to be used in one race, and identified with a titanium sidewall marking.

The entire Dunlop Sport Maxx BTCC range of tyres have been used across the four rounds of racing so far, and all four have won races.

In the most recent round at Oulton Park, we had a new winner in Matt Simpson, who made best use of his Option Soft tyre for his maiden victory in race one.

As ever, Dunlop is committed to working with all the teams to ensure optimum set-up for the best performance each race weekend. So you’ll see plenty of action off the track as the engineers work with the teams up and down the pit lane this weekend at Croft Circuit.