Rengas's soup

The new world record for fastest car on ice was set by Nokian Tyres' Finnish test driver Janne Laitinen who drove 331,610 km/h (206,05 mph) on the Gulf of Bothnia in Oulu, Finland. The record was broken on March 6th on a 14-kilometer ice track in freezing conditions. The world's leading winter tyre manufacturer equipped the record-breaking car with Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tyres (255/35R20 97 T XL).

Extreme speeds emphasize the role of top-quality tyres; they are the vehicle’s only contact point with the driving surface. When driving at exceptionally high speeds on slippery ice, the tyres must provide maximal grip, excellent structural durability and handling properties that are in line with the car's high power.

The acceleration formula is demanding. When a car moves at a speed of 331 km/h, the car covers over 92 meters in one second. The tyres are under immense pressure at these high speeds, and their diameter can increase by 15–20 mm.

As the air resistance increases, more traction is needed in order to pick up speed. Testing at high speeds in demanding conditions forms an important part of the Nokian winter tyre (in Finnish: talvirengas) development. Testing the boundaries can teach new things, which can then be reflected in all of the products explains Matti Morri from the Nokian Tyres' Technical Customer Service Manager.

The Guinness World Records organization outlines detailed rules for ice driving world records. The time for the one-kilometer distance is taken for driving in both directions of the track, and the world record time is the average of these two results. The vehicle takes a flying start. There is a total of one hour to complete the record attempt. The ice has to be natural and it may not be roughed up or treated with any chemicals. The tyres must be commercially available and approved for road traffic in the country in which the record attempt takes place.

Nokian winter tyre master of extreme conditions

Nokian Tyres developed the world’s first winter tyre for raw, subzero conditions back in 1934. Two years later, it introduced the Hakkapeliitta, designed for northern winters and today one of the world’s best-known winter tyre brands. The world’s northernmost tyre manufacturer tests and develops new additions, customized for different uses, for its winter tyre family at its own test facilities in Ivalo, 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle.

Nokian Tyres is the only tyre manufacturer in the world that focuses on products and services that facilitate safe transportation in Nordic conditions. The company's innovative passenger car, van and heavy-duty machinery tyres are mainly marketed in areas that have snow, forest and changing seasons that make driving conditions demanding. Nokian Tyres owns the Vianor tyre chain that comprises more than 770 stores in 20 countries. The company's net sales for 2010 totalled approximately EUR 1,058 million, and it had 3,500 employees.

Tyres are surprisingly technical products, consisting of many components and subject to exacting requirements. They are active safety factors in vehicles, providing the only contact with the ground. Finns are, by nature, familiar with snow, ice, slush and fickle winter weather. This, however, does not ensure a magic formula for winter tyre (in Finnish: talvirengas) solutions. You also need technical skills, experience, a systematic approach, determination, a good deal of work and a dash of Nordic frenzy.

The main task of R&D is to support the company’s status as the manufacturer of the world’s best winter and forestry tyres. The key R&D principle has remained the same for over 75 years: to develop tyres for consumers driving in northern conditions, who demand safety and durability from their tyres in all circumstances.

Development is based on the principle of sustainable safety, which states that the safety properties of a tyre should remain intact, even as the tyre wears.

Safety is improved using technical innovations

Apart from safety and economy, the company also emphasises the advanced features and originality of its products. The innovation processes aim to profitably process and commercialise new ideas. The square stud, driving safety indicator (DSI) and aquaplaning indicator are some of our latest innovations to improve tyre safety and driving comfort.

Sharply focused specialization point the way for R&D

Tyre development requires carefully focused planning. Different market areas need their own customized products. The R&D team keeps close track of the movements and changes in the markets’ and consumers’ needs. Creating successful products calls for detailed familiarization, with new developments in automobile technology and confidential co-operation with machine and equipment manufacturers is a must in the development of heavy tyres.

Improved car performance has increased the demand for low-profile, high-speed passenger car tyres, and Nokian Tyres has launched a variety of new products in this segment. SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) tyres are a growing product group.

In the heavy tyres product area, special emphasis is placed on radial special tyres. The development of retreading materials draws on the vast range of tyre technology know-how and expertise accumulated at Nokian Tyres.

Year 2011 seems to be a continuum to the success story of the 75 year old Nokian Hakkapelitta winter tyre. Hakkapelitta winter tyres (in Finnish: talvirenkaat) have scored test wins and top positions both with their studded as well as non-studded tyres. The sensation continues this year as well, as the studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 and non-studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta R have received excellent reviews in magazine tests both in Finland and abroad.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 won a test held by Tuulilasi (13/2011). "The 7's best features are balanced driving properties in different conditions. When driving on ice, the tyres even allow for a small mistake and there's still enough grip for correction. Mild over-steering during snow conditions doesn't require correcting, as the slipping straightens itself out", says Tuulilasi which is a Finnish motoring magazine with 48 years of testing experience. Five 205/55 R16 sized tyres were tested.

The studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 achieved second position in a test held by Tekniikan Maailma which is a 58 year old Finnish magazine specialized in technique and equipment testing. Tekniikan Maailma (17/2011) summarises the test as: “Nokian represents the absolute peak level of the tyre industry regarding grip on ice and snow. The tyre is excellent to drive, steers impeccably on grip limits, even during sliding and in extreme conditions control is easy. For those wanting the best possible winter grip, Nokian is the number one choice for winter". Ten studded 205/55 R16 tyres were tested.

In the very same magazine, also the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R gained second position in the Tekniikan Maailma's (17/2011) test. "Nokian winter tyre works more than well on an icy road and brilliantly in snow. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R winter tyre is easy to control and steers well on the best grip limit and returns easily from extreme situations. The tyre is quiet and its rolling resistance is the lowest of the entire test", says Tekniikan Maailma. Nine non-studded tyres size 205/65 R16 were used in the test.

The non-studded winter tyre Nokian Hakkapeliitta R won the Tuulilasi (12/2011) test. "Nokian non-studded winter tyre Nokian Hakkapeliitta R is at its strongest on ice and in snow. Its best features are balanced driving qualities and good grip in different driving situations. With Hakkapeliitta R, it is possible to correct even after slipping has begun", writes Tuulilasi, which tested five non-studded winter tyres sized 205/55 R16.