It’s not unusual for engineers and drivers to talk about tyres. Whether it’s blaming them for a lack of pace, complaining about not having enough of them, or worrying about their condition. But in 2023 there was more tyre chat than ever at British circuits when it became clear that one of the major players in the race rubber industry was going to cease manufacturing its products.
That major player was Avon, a company with a very long history of providing tyres to racing, including stints supplying Formula 1 teams in the 1950s and early ’80s. More latterly, it’s become better known for its national motorsport involvement, building up an enviable reputation in the British Hillclimbing Championship and in Formula Ford, amongst many other series.
However, in 2022, Avon’s parent company, Goodyear – through its 2021 acquisition of the Cooper Tyres group, which had been Avon’s owner since 1997, announced it was considering closing the company’s Melksham, UK plant.
Sadly, that has now happened, with the last tyre being manufactured there at the beginning of December 2023.
In the short term, this has not proven too much of a problem because BMTR, the Birmingham, UK-based tyre wholesaler that distributes much of Avon’s motorsport product, has access to enough stock to supply its regular customers. But for how long?
‘Avon Motorsport is no more,’ confirms BMTR operations and motorsport director, Paul Nicholls. ‘What’s left of it is now a bit chaotic, but we’ve done our best to try and give a supply line to all the championships we’ve always had agreements with, that we’ve always stood by and supported.
‘So, HSCC [Historic Sports Car Club], British Hillclimb, Midland Hillclimb and Formula Ford. They’re very much part of what BMTR has done, and will continue to do.
‘We’ve lost a few things along the way, but ultimately I think the lion’s share of competitors will be okay.’
‘It’s the long-term supply of slicks, in particular, that is the real concern across UK motorsport’
Giles Groombridge, competitions secretary at the 750
