There is little doubt that many many motorists are of the opinion that once a tyre has sufficient tread to pass the Garda and NCT test that everything is rosy in the garden.
If the same motorists were ever given the opportunity to try various tyres or even see the tyre testing taking place on track, then I’m sure their thinking would change.
There is a widespread thinking that the only contact between us drivers and the road is basically the rubber patch. The more tread we have the better the grip and, the faster we can go.
The tyre as we know it takes the cornering forces, the load and the braking of a vehicle so it plays a very important part in passive and active safety.
Statistics show that inclement weather doubles the risk of an accident with surfaces slippery and visibility poor. Statistics also show that 2000 was the wettest year since 1872. Out of 365 days only 175 were classified as dry days and 190 rain days. Figures from Met Eireann indicate average rainfall in Ireland has increased by 20 per cent over the past three decades.
Coming from a country that has more wet days than dry it was only natural to jump at the opportunity to try two new tyres from Uniroyal, the people who have proclaimed themselves as the Rain Tyre Specialists since 1969. Coming from a country where it rained incessantly over the previous two weeks, it also helped that the test venue was in Northern Italy.
Uniroyal rallye 680
First off the block was a 50km dry conditions test in an Opel Corsa fitted with a set of new Uniroyal rallye 680 tyres.
The 680, soon to replace the redoubtable rallye 580 and aimed at the family and supermini car market segments, is designed for the S and T Sector (up to 118 mph). Owners of these cars expect tyres to provide a high level of safety in town traffic, fuel economy savings and high mileage performance.
Because of its innovative wet weather tread patterns the 680 disperses water quickly and achieves an extremely high level of aquaplaning safety. New contours give better pressure distribution on the ground contact patch which results in better wear and the use of Silica instead of carbon black reduces rolling resistance and consequently increases fuel saving.
Over the drive it’s suffice for me to say that the Corsa handled decidedly well. Grip was firm around acute bends. The treads offered plenty of bite when the brakes were applied suddenly and the ride quality caused no room for complaint. Visually, the tread pattern also looked appealing.
Measured against its predecessor, Uniroyal claim the 680 offers 8 per cent better braking on dry and wet roads with a 7 per cent improvement in aquaplaning protection while cornering. In addition tyre life has been extended by 8 per cent and noise levels reduced by 6 per cent.
Rain Sport I
Because a race track, a separate wet area for wet testing and a fleet of high performance cars was at my disposal, Uniroyal’s other new tyre, the Rain Sport I is a component I got to know a lot better than the 680.
The high performance tyre sector, where the Rain Sport I commands attention, is a market that is expected to double over the next four years. Demand for these tyres in the replacement market was around 14 million five years ago. To-day the figure has reached 22.5 million, and its anticipated sales will reach 42 million by 2005.
Believe it or not while functionality is very much on the shopping list when purchasing a high performance tyre, research has shown that motorists also look for a tyre that emphasises individuality.
The distinctive double V- tread pattern of the Rain Sport I should go along way to please those seeking a striking design. Of course, the pattern and components are also there to do a job and this the new Uniroyal did exceedingly well over the various test courses.
Proving ever-capable on the dry race track I’d probably be still there except for the participation of a half a dozen Russians who viewed themselves as budding Eddie Irvines in these high performance cars - hours after jumping out of their Lada Rivas. Call me yellow? No just happy to be alive and to stay that way.
Parked up in the pit lane a short walk across the race ground brought me to Little Ireland. Coned off in shapes of S bends and curves with sprinklers pouring in every corner, sat six new Audi A4 2.5 TDi Quattros awaiting my company.
One of the many jobs a performance tyre has to do is dispense with the water on the ground. Compared with a motor cycle which displaces about 6 litres of water a second, and a ST tyre that shifts 26 litres per second, a high performance tyre disperses approximately 43 litres a seconds.
In the case of the new Rain Sport I Uniroyal new tyre it would be so easy to write about its better aquaplaning ability, how its flat contour reduces heat build up, and how Uniroyal claim its new silica compound has upgraded wet grip and significantly reduced braking distances.
They say the proof of the pudding is in its eating and after comparison, driving as fast as possible, in every car shod with different tyres. I give the results as I found them.
Best tyre in wet conditions.
1. Uniroyal Rain Sport
2. Bridgestone SO2
3. Dunlop SP9000
4. Pirelli Directionale
5. Fulda Corat Extremo
6. Michelin Pilot Sport
The Rain Sport I is a tyre I could definitely wear in the wet whether its unique, in so far that it will offer long wear and best of both worlds. I’ll have to wait and see.
May 2001
by Tony Conlon