Michelin contact page

[SteveH]

http://www.michelin.com/corporate/commun/en/cmn_contact.jsp?lang=EN&codeRubrique=87&codePage=PAG_CONTACT

[DagoFast]

Thanks Steve. I sent them a nice note!

RE: USGP

"I just wanted to thank you for putting the safety of the drivers first and foremost. I have been a Michelin customer for a long time, I currently have your tires on all my vehicles (including my bicycle!) and will continue to use your fine products.

The fact you had the courage to admit the tires had a problem and subject yourselves to the negative press instead of "sweeping it under the rug" speaks highly of the character of your company and why I will continue to put my trust in your tires."

Best Regards,
xxx xxxxxxxxx

I feel kinda like defender now. :gomer: Is that weird? :rofl:

[Sean O'Gorman]

I've already been contacted by Michelin. :saywhat:

http://www.rallystuff.com/images/michletter.jpg

[KLang]

Good one Sean. :laugh:

[Sean O'Gorman]

I didn't make it, I found it on the MR2 forum.

[Redwing]

The Pilot Sport 2 tires are excellent for autocross.

[Methanolandbrats]

The Pilot Sport 2 tires are excellent for autocross.Thats because you don't exceed 57 mph while crushing cones. I would be very concerned about the high lateral loading when crossing tar strips while cornering.

[Fio1]

The Pilot Sport 2 tires are excellent for autocross.

But, not rail road crossings, as that can seriously damage the sidewalls....... :rolleyes:

Michelin, the official tires or quiters everywhere. :thumdown:

[JoeBob]

It should be noted that the diamond grinding they did after botching the paving job at the speedway caused all sorts of havoc.

Remember Firestone left early after their first day of IRL tire testing, and IMS redid the grinding. Goodyear cancelled their tire test until that was done.

Bridgestone had a bunch of data on the new surface from their IRL track time. Michelin had no testing on the new surface.

[trauma1]

so 3 differant series have had trouble with tires since the grinding was done, sounds like ims is a bit culpable in this also,


Indy Goodyear test pushed back over asphalt concerns: The new pavement at Indianapolis Motor Speedway - its first repave since 1995 - has presented unexpected problems. Firestone abruptly cancelled its Indy 500 tire test after one day when drivers ran into trouble last Tuesday, and track officials asked Goodyear to postpone this week's scheduled Brickyard 400 tire test while the problems are addressed. Indy officials say they plan to grind the asphalt to make it smoother. According to sources, the track was too bumpy at the entrance to the corners, creating excessive tire wear in the turns. Firestone is the sole tire supplier for the Indy 500; Goodyear is the sole supplier for the Brickyard 400. Dodge's #12-Ryan Newman, Chevy's #24-Jeff Gordon and Ford's #170Matt Kenseth are scheduled to run the Goodyear test, which has been rescheduled for the last week of April. However, that will be cutting it close for the NASCAR drivers, because Indy 500 rookie testing is also scheduled then.(Winston Salem Journal)(4-11-2005)

[Fio1]

Anyone get a response?

I did:

[Please do not respond to this e-mail]

Thank you for contacting Michelin. We share your disappointment
about the 2005 United States Grand Prix, and we hope the
following facts will help you understand the situation more fully.

Michelin equipped teams did not participate in the Formula One
Grand Prix at Indianapolis on Sunday, June 19, out of concern
for driver safety. Michelin equips seven teams (14 cars) in
Formula One. As a result of the race conditions, only three
teams (six cars) on non-Michelin tires participated in the race.

During the weekend, it became obvious that there was a tire issue
at the track. Two Toyota cars had rapid deflations on the left
rear tire during Friday practice. Michelin technical teams in
France and in Greenville, South Carolina worked through the
weekend to determine the source of the issue and to find a
solution before the start of the race.

Formula One racing is one of the most demanding applications for
tires in the world, equipping highly complex and technical
vehicles that operate at speeds well over 200 mph. Tire
regulations for the race are also very strict, severely limiting
the tire solutions that can be brought to the race, used by the
teams and also limiting tire maker access to the tracks and to
tire testing. The circuit at Indianapolis had been resurfaced
and diamond ground since last year's Grand Prix. Michelin was
not allowed on-track testing on the new surface before the race
weekend, and therefore had to make many critical assumptions
about the new surface, race circuit and its interaction with the
tires. Bridgestone (through its Firestone brand) participates
in the Indianapolis 500, which allowed experience with the new
track surface prior to the F1 event.

Michelin, working with its partner teams, devised several solutions
which would have allowed all teams to compete in the race. These
solutions included airlifting in replacement tires from Spain
which arrived in Indy early Sunday morning. However, FIA regulations
would not allow the new tires to be used in the race.

Nine of the ten competing teams also suggested adding a chicane
just before Turn 12-13. A chicane is essentially a lane change
feature, or quick turn added to the track layout to slow down
the field at critical points. While the Speedway was prepared to
add the chicane and start the race on time, one participating team
and the FIA refused to allow the change.

Given the rejection of all Michelin solutions, the only option was
to advise its teams not to participate in the race with the available
tires. Michelin regrets that its tires were not suitable for use in
racing conditions this weekend, but driver safety is always a priority.
Michelin will never change its stance on this principle, whether we
are talking about tires for competition or any other purpose.

Michelin is very disappointed about the way the United States Grand
Prix turned out at Indianapolis, for the public, the drivers and the
teams. It is regrettable that our pre-race suggestions, agreed in
conjunction with our partner teams, were not adopted. If those
proposals had been accepted, we could have guaranteed driver safety,
the participation of our teams and added interest for the public.

Michelin would like to thank its seven partner teams for their close
collaboration, for having made propositions to the FIA and for
having respected our advice on safety issues. Michelin will continue
to investigate the technical reasons for the tire-related incidents
that affected Toyota during Friday's free practice.

[Please do not respond to this e-mail]

[Ankf00]

It should be noted that the diamond grinding they did after botching the paving job at the speedway caused all sorts of havoc.

Remember Firestone left early after their first day of IRL tire testing, and IMS redid the grinding. Goodyear cancelled their tire test until that was done.

Bridgestone had a bunch of data on the new surface from their IRL track time. Michelin had no testing on the new surface.

no no no, you have it all wrong, engineers are supposed to be gods and already know every single variable which will effect them completely in advance, there is no excuse for a lack of total and complete clairvoyance! :gomer: After their 5 years of experience they decided instead of making tires cert'ed for 70 laps, they'd only cert them for 10 laps, that way they can have 7 times the performance gain!!!

[SID]

"The circuit at Indianapolis had been resurfaced
and diamond ground since last year's Grand Prix. Michelin was
not allowed on-track testing on the new surface before the race
weekend, and therefore had to make many critical assumptions
about the new surface, race circuit and its interaction with the
tires. Bridgestone (through its Firestone brand) participates
in the Indianapolis 500, which allowed experience with the new
track surface prior to the F1 event."

That tells the whole story.

Why weren't they allowed? I would guess that it is the FIA's unabashed love for the "one participating team" that uses Bridgestones. The one that I loved as a kid, but have lost all respect for. The one that doesn't care if they destroy the sport, as long as they win.....

F*** Scud**** Fer***i !

(to be known henceforth as "FSF" )

[FRANKY]

"The circuit at Indianapolis had been resurfaced
and diamond ground since last year's Grand Prix. Michelin was
not allowed on-track testing on the new surface before the race
weekend, and therefore had to make many critical assumptions
about the new surface, race circuit and its interaction with the
tires. Bridgestone (through its Firestone brand) participates
in the Indianapolis 500, which allowed experience with the new
track surface prior to the F1 event."

That tells the whole story.

Why weren't they allowed? I would guess that it is the FIA's unabashed love for the "one participating team" that uses Bridgestones. The one that I loved as a kid, but have lost all respect for. The one that doesn't care if they destroy the sport, as long as they win.....

F*** Scud**** Fer***i !

(to be known henceforth as "FSF" )

#1 I don't believe them.

#2 They raced after the 2002 diamond grinding.

I was curious how much testing is allowed by teams, I found this:

"Open testing sessions are regularly held at FIA-approved racetracks around Europe, where any team can elect to pay a portion of the costs and to bring its cars. In addition, teams also operate closed sessions where they will trial top-secret future machinery or innovations. As part of moves to reduce the costs of the sport of Formula One racing, there is now a voluntary six-week testing ban during the late summer in which no teams test built cars anywhere. This is intended to reduce the pressure on smaller teams at a time in the season when the larger teams' greater financial muscle tended to buy them the most advantage. There is also a voluntary six-week testing ban immediately following the end of the season.

From 2004 onwards, any team that finished fifth or lower in the previous year’s constructors’ championship has been allowed to run a third test car in the two Friday practice sessions at each Grand Prix. This measure was designed to give the teams with smaller testing budgets a chance to increase the development mileage on their cars.

In a further bid to reduce testing costs, for 2005 all teams except Ferrari have agreed to limit their in-season testing to 30 car days (one car day equals one car testing for one day) and not to test concurrently at more than one circuit. Ferrari have put in place their own testing restrictions."

[Fio1]

If Michelin were the control tire, would they have done things the same?

I think they should have at least started the race, ordered their teams to come in for an early pit stop to check tires, and decided from there. Trulli, would have had to come in on lap 3 anyways. McLaren did not see any problems all weekend, would they have come in before lap 10 to check on the tires? Probably not. They should have warned the teams, not hold a gun to their heads. IMO, they tried to stonewall the FIA, and it didn't work. Now, they look like s****.

[SteveH]

I didn't get an email response, although I called them everything but French.