Michelin named official tire supplier for 2013 Asian Le Mans Series

Michelin has been selected as tire supplier of the 2013 Asian Le Mans Series. Michelin four-wheel motorsport program director Serge Grisin and Asian Endurance Operating Company Limited managing director Mark Thomas have inked the deal. (Asian Endurance is the licensee of Asian Le Mans.) The French tiremaker will supply the rubber and associated services in the endurance racing challenge created by the Automobile Club de l\'Ouest.

Michelin plans to consolidate and reinforce its foothold in Asia, a region where the tire company is investing because of the market\'s growth and the shifts in its approach to motoring.

\"The interests of Asian motorists in cars and their demands are evolving very quickly,\" Grisin observed. \"The culture of motorsport, which has long been deeply rooted in Japan and South Korea, is today developing in China. Michelin sees motorsport as an opportunity to demonstrate the qualities of its tires to this new generation of enthusiasts who demand both safety and performance. We are notably targeting those who make pleasure one of the prime factors in their relationship with their vehicle.\"

On the upcoming 2013 Asian Le Mans Series, Grisin said: \"Michelin will work together with all the drivers in this series--professionals and amateurs alike--providing them with racing tires that are safe, competitive and durable, as well as with services and technical advice that are the fruit of decades of success in endurance racing.\"

Michelin will handle logistics and provide service to teams in all rounds of the series: Inje Speedium in South Korea; Fuji Speedway in Japan; Zhuhai International Circuit in China; and Sentul International Circuit in Indonesia (which may still be replaced by Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia). Michelin\'s technicians will be on hand to help the drivers in their tire choices. The drivers\' analyses of how the tires perform in races will be valuable feedback to the tiremaker.

\"We are delighted to have Michelin on-board with us for this season, which is very important for the development of the Asian Le Mans Series,\" said Thomas.