Eagle F1, From Track to Street, And Back Again

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SAN ANGELO, Texas, Sept. 17 -- Goodyear's transfer of technology normally runs from the racetrack to the street, but the new Eagle F1 ultra-performance tire has reversed the process.

Eagle F1 is the inspiration for new exclusive rain tires in Germany’s V8STAR touring-car racing series.

Goodyear Eagle F1 race rain tires are featured on V-8, 495-hp silhouette touring cars. Goodyear, exclusive tire supplier for V8STAR, engineers matching slick and rain tires.

"The focal point when developing the V8STAR tire was performance in mixed conditions, such as on a partially dried track after a downpour or light rain. These difficult conditions very often occur during races in the rain," said Karl-Heinz Tibor, head of Goodyear Motorsport, the European distributor of Goodyear race tires.

"The Eagle F1 tread design is a clear winner," Tibor said. "The merits of OneTRED technology are multiple: direct steering response and optimal power transfer when accelerating and braking.

"Not only is the tire faster in mixed conditions, it is also considerably more durable," he added.

Eye-catching is the V-shaped tread design. Other winning features include a particularly robust shoulder area, extended tread links, as well as a solid continuous centerline rib.

V8STAR race cars run on 27.0x11.0R18 up front and 28.0x12.5R18 for the rear position.

"The front tires for dry and wet conditions are now somewhat taller than their predecessors. Thus, the handling balance of the V8STAR race car is generally improved, and the braking stability is of an even higher level," Tibor said.

V8STAR racing on premier German racetracks, such as the Nurburgring and the Nordscheife, is unique in race format, V-8 sound and seven different body shapes allowed. Races run for 70 minutes and are divided into two parts.

A standing Grand Prix start begins it all; a mandatory pitstop is scheduled. Within a timeframe, drivers must pit for a tire change, with the time of the actual stop recorded. Refueling is not allowed.

After all cars have returned to the track, a running Indy-start marks the second section of the race, according to V8STAR race rules.

Now in its second season, V8STAR features identical V-8 engines and technology. "The racing stands apart from others, because it is all about driver and team performance, not the most powerful car," Tibor said.