http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_media en information@bridgestone.co.nz Copyright 2012 2012-01-31T21:46:27+12:00 http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/stoner_charges_ahead_on_day_two_at_sepang http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/stoner_charges_ahead_on_day_two_at_sepang#When:21:46:27Z Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner stormed to the top of the timesheets on the second day of the Sepang test with the reigning MotoGP champion the only rider to break into the 2:00 bracket.       With the sun beating down on the Sepang International Circuit, Stoner shone as he made up for lost time yesterday, needing just a handful of laps to move to second on the timesheets before setting his benchmark time of 2:00.895 late in the afternoon.   Stoner’s effort usurped Yamaha from the top of the leaderboard, with factory riders Ben Spies and Jorge Lorenzo clocking the second and third fastest times respectively and the only riders to lap within half a second of the Australian.   Dani Pedrosa was fourth quickest ahead of Cal Crutchlow in fifth, with Hector Barbera the best Ducati on the day with a time of 2:01.788.   Forward-Racing’s Colin Edwards managed to further reduce the gap between the CRT and prototype machines with the Texan setting a best time within 4.7 seconds of Stoner.   Test times, day 2 – Sepang Test   1 Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Team 2:00.895 2 Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing 2:01.052 3 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing 2:01.068 4 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 2:01.508 5 Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:01.565 6 Hector Barbera Pramac Racing Team 2:01.788 7 Valentino Rossi Ducati Team 2:01.886 8 Alvaro Bautista San Carlo Honda Gresini 2:01.933 9 Andrea Dovizioso Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:02.160 10 Nicky Hayden Ducati Team 2:02.354 11 Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2:02.414 12 Karel Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing 2:02.598 13 Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha Factory 2:02.941 14 Franco Battaini Ducati Team 2:04.311 15 Colin Edwards NGM Mobile Forward Racing 2:05.603 16 Ivan Silva Avintia Racing 2:10.297 17 Jordi Torres Avintia Racing 2:11.893 18 Robertino Pietri   2:12.546   Weather: Dry, Ambient 29-34°C; Track 36-55°C (Bridgestone measurement) Bridgestone slick compounds available - Front: Hard & Extra-Hard; Rear: Medium & Hard MotoGP 2012-01-31T21:46:27+12:00 http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/lorenzo_leads_the_way_on_day_one_at_sepang http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/lorenzo_leads_the_way_on_day_one_at_sepang#When:21:25:22Z At the end of the opening day of the first Sepang test, Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo topped the timesheets with the Spaniard clocking a time of 2:01.657 to finish 0.346 seconds ahead of compatriot Dani Pedrosa on the Repsol Honda.      The start of testing was delayed due to a wet track and though cloud cover persisted for most of the day, track temperatures worked their way to 50 degrees C and the improving conditions in the afternoon were met with a corresponding reduction in lap times.   Yamaha riders fared best on the first day, filling four of the top six positions while reigning champion Casey Stoner did not feature on his Repsol Honda after slightly straining his back in the morning.  Valentino Rossi was the top placed Ducati rider in fifth, while Colin Edwards was the top-placed CRT rider as he lodged the 15th fastest time aboard the Forward Racing Suter-BMW.   Day two of the first Sepang test gets underway at 1000 local time tomorrow (Wednesday) with the local weather forecast indicating a fair chance of scattered thunderstorms.   Tohru Ubukata – General Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Department   “After a slight delay due to rain, today we continued evaluation of our 2012 specification tyres and gained good feedback from the riders on the feel and performance offered by the new tyres. The data acquired today was useful in helping teams find a good base setup for the 2012 specification tyres, and hopefully the rain stays away so that the riders can have more laps on the new tyres with optimal track conditions.     “Finally, I would like to say how pleased Bridgestone are to be starting yet another season as the Official Tyre Supplier to MotoGP. We wish all the teams and riders taking part in MotoGP this year a successful campaign.”   Test times, day 1 – Sepang Test   1 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing 2:01.657 2 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 2:02.003 3 Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:02.221 4 Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing 2:02.234 5 Valentino Rossi Ducati Team 2:02.392 6 Andrea Dovizioso Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:02.751 7 Hector Barbera Pramac Racing Team 2:02.773 8 Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha Factory 2:02.829 9 Alvaro Bautista San Carlo Honda Gresini 2:02.869 10 Nicky Hayden Ducati Team 2:03.151 11 Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2:03.668 12 Karel Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing 2:03.781 13 Franco Bataini Ducati Team 2:04.986 14 Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Team 2:07.163 15 Colin Edwards NGM Mobile Forward Racing 2:08.240 16 Jordi Torres Avintia Racing 2:10.671 17 Ivan Silva Avintia Racing    2:11.267   Weather: Wet (morning) Dry (afternoon) Ambient 27-33°C; Track 37-50°C (Bridgestone measurement) Bridgestone slick compounds available - Front: Hard & Extra-Hard; Rear: Medium & Hard   MotoGP 2012-01-30T21:25:22+12:00 http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/bridgestone_primed_for_2012_motogp_tests http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/bridgestone_primed_for_2012_motogp_tests#When:20:13:27Z Following an intensive development programme over the winter break, Bridgestone is primed for the first MotoGP group tests as evaluation of the tyres that will be used for the 2012 season continues.   With six lap records set on Bridgestone rubber in 2011 and race times at ten of the rounds faster than in 2010, Bridgestone analysed tyre performance data and rider feedback throughout last year to develop tyres for the 2012 season that offer improved warm-up performance, enhanced rider feel and extended operating temperature range.   While the majority of teams take to Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit for their first test, some teams fielding Claiming Rule Team (CRT) bikes this year have already commenced their first shake-down of the year at Spain’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia.   Riders at the first Sepang test will have access to newly developed front tyres featuring revisions to rubber compounds and construction that were specifically developed to boost warm-up performance. Evaluation of the new front tyre will take place alongside ongoing assessment of the 2012 specification tyres that were well received by riders when debuted at last November’s Valencia post-season test.   To provide on-site support at each of the tests, Bridgestone has sent technical engineers to both Spain and Malaysia. Aside from providing technical support, the engineers will focus on the acquisition of tyre data and rider feedback, all of which will be compiled and sent back to Bridgestone’s Technical Centre in Japan for further analysis.  2012-01-30T20:13:27+12:00 http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/2012_motogp_rider_line_up_confirmed http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/2012_motogp_rider_line_up_confirmed#When:20:54:02Z The FIM has released the provisional rider line-up for the 2012 MotoGP season with 21 riders taking part in what promises to be a spectacular and close-fought championship.   The addition of nine Claiming Rules Team (CRT) entries has resulted in the number of challengers swell to 21 full-time riders, making the 2012 grid the largest in MotoGP since 2004.   Some of the rookies competing in this year's championship include reigning Moto2 champion Stefan Bradl and 2011 FIM Superstock 1000 runner-up Danilo Petrucci, while Anthony West, James Ellison, Aleix Espargaro and Iván Silva return to the premier class in what is a highly competitive field.   The 2012 MotoGP season kicks off in Qatar on April 8th and the class of 2012 will have their first chance to rub shoulders with each other at the first MotoGP test in Sepang from January 31st.   No Rider Nationality Team Machine 1 Casey Stoner Australian Repsol Honda  Honda 4 Andrea Dovizioso Italian Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 5 Colin Edwards USA Forward Racing Suter* 6 Stefan Bradl German LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 8 Hector Barbera Spanish Pramac Racing Team Ducati 9 Danilo Petrucci Italian Ioda Racing Project Ioda* 11 Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 13 Anthony West Australian Speed Master ART* 14 Randy de Puniet French  Aspar Team MotoGP ART* 17 Karel Abraham Czech Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati 19 Alvaro Bautista Spanish Honda Gresini Honda 20 Aleix Espargaro Spanish Aspar Team MotoGP ART* 22 Ivan Silva Spanish BQR BQR-FTR* 26 Dani Pedrosa Spanish Repsol Honda  Honda 35 Cal Crutchlow British Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 46 Valentino Rossi Italian Ducati Ducati 51 Michele Pirro Italian Honda Gresini FTR* 68 Yonny Hernandez Colombian BQR BQR-FTR* 69 Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Ducati 77 James Ellison British Paul Bird Racing ART* 99 Jorge Lorenzo Spanish Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha   * denotes CRT Entry       2012-01-22T20:54:02+12:00 http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/pink_cap_drive http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/pink_cap_drive#When:04:40:46Z     As part of an annual, highly successful fundraising campaign, Bridgestone New Zealand Limited once again made its pink tyre valve caps available to consumers and businesses via 168 stores nationwide. Each cap sold for $2, with 100% of all proceeds donated to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.   For four years, Bridgestone has sold the unmistakable pink tyre valve caps, raising more than NZ$300,000 for the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation for awareness and research and programmes to support New Zealand women and families affected by breast cancer. Bolstered this time by social media, Bridgestone’s Facebook fan page received 3,520 ‘Likes’, and was inundated with messages of support, heartfelt stories and personal achievements.   “The Campaign has been an outstanding success,” says Evangelia Henderson, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. “The reason for this, from the day of initiation four years ago, it has been really innovative and unusual. There isn’t typically a connection made between pretty pink ribbons and wheels and tyres. The idea of a pink valve cap for tyres has been an easy and fun way for communities and all people who drive a vehicle to support the breast cancer cause.”   “Bridgestone has shown an enduring commitment to the fight against breast cancer, choosing not to waiver from the campaign even in the midst of the amazing Rugby World Cup that took New Zealand’s interest by storm,” she adds.   The high profile campaign is no longer about everyday Kiwi women alone. It has touched the hearts and tyres of police, long-haul truck drivers, forklift drivers, lawnmowers, farmers’ tractors, dump trucks, steam rollers, graders, fire engines, NZ Air Force planes, pushchairs and kids’ scooters. What started as a very female-centric idea in 2008 now attracts people from both genders, all ages and backgrounds.   “Breast cancer doesn’t just affect the women diagnosed. Everybody has a mum/ sister/ wife/ daughter/ friend. This disease – the most common cancer among women – affects the whole community,” says Ms Henderson. “What Bridgestone has once again so effectively done is enabled the whole community to take part. Men can relate to this campaign. They find it easy to participate.”   “This is a cause close to people’s hearts. Nearly everyone in New Zealand knows someone affected personally by breast cancer. This campaign allows anyone to not only support the cause in a very real, monetary way, but to show that love and support in a fun and playful way as well, echoes Bridgestone New Zealand Limited Director, Ken Oyama.   The pink tyre valve caps were sold throughout October and promoted via Bridgestone’s retail websites, POS in-store and through a TV campaign. Success this time around comes to the tune of $92,700.89, which was presented to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation on Thursday the 12th of January by Mr Oyama.   One of New Zealand’s leading campaigns in the fight against breast cancer, the Pink Cap Campaign is unique in that ALL funds raised go directly to the cause. Costs associated with the fundraiser (i.e. advertising, manufacturing the pink tyre caps, transport, etc.) are underwritten by Bridgestone.     Pictured first above. From Bridgestone New Zealand Limited: (far left) Heath Barclay, General Manager Consumer Business and Marketing; and (far right) Ken Oyama, Director. From New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation: (second from left) Evangelia Henderson, Chief Executive; and (second from right) Ségolène de Fontenay, Corporate Fundraising Manager.   Pictured second above. The pink tyre valve caps that were at the heart of the campaign. Corporate 2012-01-12T04:40:46+12:00 http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/2012_fim_motogp_world_championship_calendar http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/2012_fim_motogp_world_championship_calendar#When:23:09:57Z The dates are set for next year’s MotoGP calendar, the first showdown of the all-new 1000cc formula. With bigger bikes, more power and softer tyres, as well as the introduction of the new Claiming Rule Team category, 2012 is set to be a thrilling year. Premier class World Champions Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden line up against the MotoGP regulars and a raft of graduates including Moto2 World Champion Stefan Bradl as the grid is predicted to swell to over 20 bikes.   The Portuguese and German Grands Prix are still to be confirmed, subject to contract.   Date Grand Prix Circuit 8 April Qatar Losail 29 April Spain Jerez 6 May Portugal Estoril 20 May France Le Mans 3 June Catalunya Catalunya 17 June Great Britain Silverstone 30 June Netherlands Assen 8 July Germany Sachsenring 15 July Italy Mugello 29 July United States Laguna Seca 19 August Indianapolis Indianapolis 26 August Czech Republic Brno 16 September San Marino & Riviera di Rimini Misano 30 September Aragon Motorland 14 October Japan Motegi 21 October Malaysia Sepang 28 October Australia Phillip Island 11 November Valencia Ricardo Tormo-Valencia 2011-12-18T23:09:57+12:00 http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/kiwis_up_close_doing_our_part_for_new_zealands_native_bird http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/kiwis_up_close_doing_our_part_for_new_zealands_native_bird#When:20:35:53Z Heath Barclay, General Manager Consumer Business and Marketing, Bridgestone New Zealand Limited   New Zealanders are famous for being called kiwis, but if you ever want to actually see one of our namesake birds, you have to go to the zoo, press your face up against the glass and hope he or she comes out of hiding at the precise moment you are standing there. This past September, however, I was given a privilege that few other kiwis (the human ones) have enjoyed: I got to touch a real live kiwi bird.     Even more special was what I was doing with said kiwi. Bridgestone New Zealand Limited is a sponsor of the Motuora Restoration Society, who are rebuilding a native ecosystem and introducing threatened species onto this beautiful island in the Hauraki Gulf. They invited me, as a representative of Bridgestone, to participate in a very important day: the release of young kiwis into the wild on Motuora. This is a project sponsored by BNZ in partnership with the Department of Conservation   I woke up early in the morning to catch the 9am ferry from Sandspit to Motuora. Joining us on board were three, three week-old kiwis, hatched and raised at Auckland Zoo and ready to be released. Because Motuora is a totally pest-free island, it’s the perfect ‘kiwi crèche’ – a halfway house for kiwis, if you like. Our kiwis will be spending a year on Motuora, safe from dogs, cats and other predators. Once they are big and strong enough to defend themselves (around one year old or a kilogram in weight), they are reintroduced into the ‘real’ wild, helping to bolster Northland’s threatened kiwi population.   I was transferred from our large boat into an inflatable boat to arrive on the island as there’s no wharf and then the kiwis were taken up to the release site. Once they were out of their cages, I got to touch them and take photographs, which was a thrill! They were then released into their little hideouts with a protective handful of grass placed in the entry to each one, to ensure darkness after their transport ordeal. Come night they pushed their way through the door and ventured out to explore and make their own nests.   The kiwi release was part of Bridgestone’s ongoing relationship with the Motuora Restoration Society. Last year, we helped the society with the crucial work of planting trees on the island, something which we also hope to continue into the future. While our contribution was just a small one, all the small contributions add up: this year, the society planted their three hundred thousandth tree.   Ray Lowe, the Chairman of the Motuora Restoration Society, told us how much he appreciated our support. “We manage the island, which means paying full time staff and as a voluntary organisation, raising funds is always hard,” he said. “Having Bridgestone as an on-going sponsor is an enormous help.” Corporate, Environment 2011-12-11T20:35:53+12:00 http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/bridgestone_announces_development_of_non_pneumatic_airless_concept_tyre http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/bridgestone_announces_development_of_non_pneumatic_airless_concept_tyre#When:19:57:02Z TOKYO (Nov. 29, 2011)–Bridgestone Corporation today announced it has developed a non-pneumatic (i.e., airless) concept tyre that could prove to be a viable and more environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional tyres in the future.   Bridgestone’s Environmental Mission Statement outlines the Company’s goal to help contribute to a more sustainable society, with particular emphasis on three areas –ecological conservation, resource conservation and reduction of carbon emissions. In support of the Mission, Bridgestone is working on various projects, like the non-pneumatic tyre, that will ultimately contribute to a healthier environment for not just current, but also future generations.   Non-pneumatic tyres have a lesser impact on the environment than today’s conventional tyres, but previously such concept tyres have been impractical to produce for the mass market. Bridgestone developed this technology with the aim of practical implementation.   Special Features of Non-Pneumatic (Airless) Tyre Technology With a unique structure of spokes stretching along the inner sides of the tyres supporting the weight of the vehicle, there is no need to periodically refill the tyres with air, meaning that the tyres require less maintenance. At the same time, the worry of punctures is eliminated. In addition, the spoke structure within the tyre is made from reusable thermoplastic resin*1, and along with the rubber in the tread portion, the materials used in the tyres are 100 percent recyclable. As a result, the tyres set a new standard in terms of environmental friendliness, safety and comfort.   Bridgestone is pursuing this technological development with the aim of achieving a “cradle to cradle” process that proactively maximizes the cyclical use of resources from worn tyres into new tyres and the use of recyclable resources. 2011-12-11T19:57:02+12:00 http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/bridgestone_offers_world_class_tyre_wheels_rims_to_new_zealand http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/bridgestone_offers_world_class_tyre_wheels_rims_to_new_zealand#When:21:25:40Z Agreement with Transpecs makes Bridgestone New Zealand Limited an authorised dealer for RoadKing products, manufactured by industry specialists Mullins Wheels.   New Zealand truckers will now have access to one of the world’s highest quality truck wheel brands, RoadKing, after Bridgestone signed an agreement to become one of the country’s authorised distributors.The wheels and rims are manufactured by 106-year Australian truck wheel veterans Mullins Wheels, and Transpecs is the country’s premier wholesaler for the truck and trailer parts.   The agreement brings the two companies’ extensive networks into sync, says Mark West, Senior Sales Manager for Transpecs. “We believe Transpecs has a highly reputable network nationwide for our truck and trailer parts, and we wanted to partner with a company that had equally as high a reputation and network for tyres,” he says. “That company is Bridgestone.”   Geoff Brain, Commercial Sales Manager of Bridgestone New Zealand Limited, says that RoadKing products were a natural fit for the company. “When a customer walks into one of our stores, they now have the opportunity to buy a world-class tyre and world-class wheels and rims at the same time. Furthermore, Transpecs and Mullins Wheels are now able to supply their products to New Zealanders through the country’s number one tyre chain. It’s a win-win relationship.”   RoadKing is perfect for New Zealand’s rugged terrain, say Geoff and Mark. “RoadKing products are durable, high performers, which is what New Zealand truckers need,” Geoff says. “With all the off-road work that we do here, in the logging industry for example, any wheel that you use for that application needs to be of the very best quality otherwise it simply won’t last.”   “These wheels were originally designed by Mullins Wheels for the Australian market, which is extremely rugged and hard-wearing on components and wheels,” says Mark. “We took the product on for this reason. Any company that has 106 years of success in the industry has to have a good understanding of what the market requires.”   RoadKing will be available throughout New Zealand from Bridgestone Commercial stores. Call 0800 80 20 80.       2011-12-04T21:25:40+12:00 http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/bridgestone_2011_csr_report http://www.bridgestone.co.nz/corporate/news_article/bridgestone_2011_csr_report#When:03:09:00Z Bridgestone Corporation today announced the publication of its Bridgestone Group CSR Report 2011.   The Bridgestone Group identifies CSR as a means of realizing The Bridgestone Essence, the company’s corporate philosophy, and pursuing the CSR worldwide through its business practices with the established “22 CSR Focus points” that identified the issue that need to be addressed by the company. The report also introduces the “company’s ideal state for the future”, “objectives that embody that ideal state”, “principal achievements through 2010” and “principal plans for 2011 and beyond”.   The CSR report consists of published and online components. The booklet is intended to be read by a broad range of stakeholders, including customers, business partners, stakeholders, employees, residents of the communities in which we do business and CSR experts, while the website adds content in response to requests from individuals who need more detailed information than is provided by the booklet. The report has been designed in an easy to read format that includes detailed charts and photos, and is available on the Bridgestone Corporation website. 2011-10-28T03:09:00+12:00