Cambrian Tyres

30 Apr 2010

Dunlop, as you are very much aware Dunlop have recently launched the new Sportsmart and D211 tyres with NTECH technology to very positive acclaim from the motorcycle press.

So to help spread the word amongst the dealers they invited a couple of hundred dealers and guests on two test days at Silverstone to try the new tyres out on the National Circuit. Jen and Richard from Cambrian were very lucky to be invited as representatives of Cambrian as well as some well chosen customers of Cambrian Tyres.

Proceedings got underway on both days with the riders being split into ability groups and then coffee and safety talk over breakfast. We all got to know each other and those in our groups and then it was off to get into our leathers. We then received a few words of advice from Andy Ibbott and then it was a talk from Dunlop’s Bryn Philips about the technologies and RD behind the new D211’s and Sportsmarts – with examples of how the tyres can be run at lower pressures because of the new NTECH technology, and the benefits to grip and wear that improves.

Once that was done it was out to the track to select the bikes and then out for the first of four twenty minute sessions around the excellent National Circuit. Short enough to learn quickly so we were able to think about our riding and the tyres, but long enough to have a bloody good hoon around it!

There was an excellent selection of bikes from Diversions to R1’s and Ducati’s so everyone’s riding styles and capabilities were catered for. There was no pressure to ride beyond your ability and there was instruction available from the excellent coaches from the California Superbike School if you required it.

Judging by the grin on CT’s Jen, she was more than impressed with the selection of bikes. A chance to ride a Speed Triple and a Hypermotard in one day! The nerves soon went and it was just about one thing then - to enjoy it!

Getting the chance to share a track with current TT racers, namely Keith Amor was an experience. To be at (my) top speed down the Club Straight on the R1 (160mph) and to be passed like I was standing still by this nutter was an experience. And then to be hard on the brakes and this chap to be hard on the gas still and to fly past you into the bend is something else as well. One word… Awesome!

Keith Amor... Really nice chap, for a complete and utter headcase.

Watching him come onto the start finish straight on the Speed Triple was the funniest though, that thing was really squirming under the acceleration! It was testament to the tyres that you could push them and still have plenty of confidence in them. 99% of riders would not be able to out perform these tyres, They will be more than enough for any rider in pretty much any situation, road or track.

All in all, a fantastic time was had by all the guests of Dunlop. We spoke to so many people over the two days and not once did we hear a bad word about the even and we certainly did not hear a bad word about the tyres.

Richard and Jen on behalf of our customers would like to extend our thanks to Dunlop for the two days. The hospitality was exemplary, the riding was outstanding and most importantly the tyres were simply amazing… Two laps out on cold Sportsmarts on the R1 and I had my knee down again. Brilliant stuff.