Conti opens dynamics pad at Texas test track

Conti opens dynamics pad at Texas test track
24 May 2011


Uvalde, Texas, -- Continental Tire The Americas has inaugurated its new test surface, capable of running both wet and dry tyre and vehicle dynamics tests. The new surface with an investment cost of approximately $3.5 million (Euro 2.5 million) is part of Continental’s Proving Ground, situated in Uvalde, Texas USA.

The Vehicle Dynamics Area is situated on a level, paved square that spans an area of 640.000 sqft (60.000 sqm) and provides several test options to simulate real-world driving sceneries, safely allowing for tyre and vehicle stability tests at the „limit“. Continental said it is expanding it’s wet track testing portfolio, which will significantly contribute to the development of summer tyres.

The track surface was chosen to reflect the average asphalt surfaces motorists would encounter while simultaneously allowing a high degree of differentiation between different tyres. The new irrigation system uniformly distributes water across the entire width, which is adjustable from 1.3 to 2.8mm.

The new facility was inaugurated by Thomas Neddenriep, Continental’s Head Tire Evaluation PLT Tires. Neddenriep stressed that "tyre testing is simply not possible without the ability to conduct the testing under realistic conditions“. ‚We continue to rely on products that are tested at the highest level, offer maximum safety, driving pleasure and environmental consciousness.“ stated Neddenriep during the inauguration. "This continues to require that testing be conducted under conditions that best reflect the demands placed on the tyre under real world conditions.“