Bridgestone enjoyed another Grand Prix victory in Japan on Sunday, which of course is no surprise considering the Tokyo-based company has been Formula 1’s sole tyre supplier since the start of 2007. However, its first win of the weekend came in the Suzuka Box Kart Race on Sunday morning.
‘The competition saw a number of teams push-start their self-built karts down the Suzuka main straight against the clock, with a slalom section to test handling agility,’ reads an amusing Bridgestone press release.
‘Bridgestone’s winning machine was built by a team of Bridgestone’s finest tyre engineers in their spare time. Mindful of the competition’s judging criteria, the kart was built to satisfy originality and entertainment requirements. The kart featured Formula 1 tyres at the back and the wind tunnel tyres at the front.
Uniquely, the Make Cars Green campaign was promoted through the addition of a band of green rubber compound on the tread section of the tyres. The event was not just about the kart producing the fastest time. The squad of engineers had to perform in front of the cameras to show off the virtues of their bid for victory, with Bridgestone’s team performing a full pit departure complete with tyre blankets.
Bridgestone’s team even had to fend off high-calibre opposition from HRT F1 Team driver Sakon Yamamoto, who fielded a commercial kart chassis with its engine removed and modified to use scooter wheels and tyres.’
“This was a tough competition and our engineers dedicated their personal time to build the kart with an absolute minimal budget,” said Hirohide Hamashima, Bridgestone’s Director of Motorsport Tyre Development.
“Our engineers opted to highlight the strengths of Bridgestone’s Potenza Formula 1 tyres and I am happy that our wind tunnel tyres have featured in a victory on their competitive debut. Our engineers once more showed their ‘Passion for Excellence’ and I am very proud of their superb performance. Thank you to Suzuka Circuit for their highly-entertaining event.”
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