WHY DUNLOP SUPPORTS HISTORIC RACING

Dunlop produced many racing tyres in the 1950s and ’60s, and is an important part of the historic racing scene. The company’s legacy is one of the main reasons it remains in what is a niche part of the industry, albeit an exciting one.

“We can do high-performance modern tyres and still make original 1950s and ’60s designs,” says Dunlop’s James Bailey (right). “As a promoter you have a choice: Appendix K or modified. We can do both – there’s a market for both – but Appendix K is important because we’re the only company with 130 years of history. We have an obligation to maintain that heritage.

“The historic range, such as the CR65 and R5, are tyres introduced in the 1950s and are essentially the same as used in period by cars such as the Jaguar D-types at Le Mans [above, winning in’ 56] and Lotus Cortinas in saloon car racing. They’ve largely been in continuous production.”

One of the unusual problems for Dunlop is that the materials it can use have changed, creating difficulties behind the scenes that aren’t noticeable from the outside – correct tread patterns are used so they look right.

“The challenge is that some of the materials are no longer available, so it’s our job to create the same level of performance using a concoction of modern materials and compounds,” adds Bailey. “Our goal is to keep the tyre as original as possible.”

Successful historic racer and preparer Simon Hadfield believes Dunlop’s involvement is crucial. “I am a huge supporter of Dunlop,” he says. “They are the one company making the right size and shape of tyre, and I think pretty close to the grip of the period.

“They are the unsung heroes.”