Launch Tires

[Heike Fallago]

Building on the outstanding performance of the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tire, BFGoodrich developed the KO3 tire to satisfy the evolving needs of off-road consumers by incorporating the latest tire technologies into a tire that delivers even stronger performance and benefits than the KO2 tire.

BFGoodrich will introduce more than 100 sizes over 24 months, starting with 13 sizes available in May. The phased launch will continue with 17 additional sizes in August and five more sizes in October. An additional 52 sizes arrive in 2025 and 19 sizes in 2026.

The All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire has improved wear performance, improved gravel road durability, and improved snow traction while maintaining the sidewall toughness and soft soil traction of the KO2 tire.

Treadwear: BFGoodrich engineered the All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire with a new tread pattern and new all-terrain tread compound to provide durability and longevity, even on gravel. The KO3 tire has an optimized footprint and full-depth 3D locking sipes designed for even wear over the long haul.

Toughness: CoreGard Technology gives the KO3 tire excellent sidewall toughness, which earned it the Baja Champion badge. The Advanced Deflection Design helps prevent objects from snagging and splitting the sidewall.

The All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire is the newest member of the Terrain Family of BFGoodrich tires. The KO3 tire carries a 50,000-mile warranty and 60-day satisfaction guarantee. For more information or to find your size, visit bfgoodrichtires.com or your local BFGoodrich dealer and get started on your next off-road adventure.

Tire (UK: Tyre) Propelled Launch Coasters use a motorized tire to move the train along the track. Motorized tires are commonly used, in stations and brake runs to maneuver the train into position or on lift hills in lieu of chains/cable, but sometimes they are also used to launch trains. Tire launches are typically configured in one of two ways.

Roller coaster design legend Anton Schwarzkopf patented the friction wheel propelled coaster in 1980. The technology was first employed in 1982 on the Wiener Looping shuttle coaster at Wiener Prater in Vienna, Austria. Due to complaints from local residents about its noise during testing, the ride never opened to the public and was relocated to Boardwalk and Baseball in Florida, USA. The coaster took up residency as Bullet at Flamingo Land in the UK between 1991-2005, before opening in 2013 at Selva Mgica in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Intamin are renowned for creating record breaking roller coasters using Hydraulic Launch technology, but the company also offers tire propelled launch coasters which are more suitable for younger riders because the acceleration is less intense. Intamin Family Launch Coasters use both the horizontal and vertical tire positions. The first to open in 2008 was Jet Rescue at Sea World in Australia and in 2020 Intamin installed Objectif Mars, the first tire launched spinning coaster, at Futuroscope in France.

Incredible Hulk at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure in Florida, USA, is the only tire propelled launch coaster created by Swiss manufacturers Bolliger & Mabillard. The coaster opened in 1999 and accelerates from 0-40 mph (64 km/h) in two seconds. It is widely considered to be one of the best roller coasters in the world.

In 2012, Gerstlauer combined a shooting dark ride, a spinning coaster and a tire propelled launch to create Gekion Live Coaster at Tokyo Joypolis in Japan. Two years later the highly regarded Firechaser Express opened at Dollywood in Tennessee, USA. A more traditional family coaster, Firechaser Express features a reverse launch as well as a forward one.

We believe there is always a better way. There is always a better way to make products. We will always be able to design better products than we have today. We will be more efficient in the future than we are today. There is always a better way to serve customers. Maybe because our roots are in racing, we know that no matter how fast you are today, you can still go faster. It may be a better part, better tires or a different line into a critical corner. We never stop pushing. We never stop trying to do better tomorrow than what we did today.

In 2011 TSW began to manufacture many of its wheels using a highly advanced production technique called rotary forging. The rim of the wheels is forged at high pressure while the wheel is spun at high speed. This alters the molecular structure and enhances the strength of the alloy. The benefit is a much lighter weight than a regular cast wheel. The weight saving is in the outer rim of the wheel which dramatically reduces rotational mass and enhances vehicle performance.

The newly established Tire Recycling Foundation Board has set ambitious research initiatives to be supported with fundraising targets of $300,000 in 2025 and $2-3 million in 2026. "With this funding, we can conduct vital research and projects to address knowledge gaps and advance tire circularity," said Dick Gust, CEO of TIA.

RMA extends pavement lifespan, enhances skid resistance and ride quality, and reduces traffic noise. RMA has demonstrated its cost-effectiveness by minimizing maintenance requirements and total lifecycle costs. Sheerin emphasized RMA's environmental benefits, "Perhaps most critically, its use reduces greenhouse gas emissions from improved fuel economy while also curtailing tire wear particle pollution. RMA represents a truly circular, sustainable solution that the Tire Recycling Foundation, along with our new Board of Directors, is committed to advancing industrywide."

Accelerating RMA adoption will be a focus at the 2024 conference, which features an entire track dedicated to the market. Sessions will explore the state of knowledge, specifications across states, opportunities, implementation strategies from transportation agencies and realizing RMA's sustainability benefits.

"By spearheading cutting-edge research and pilot projects into promising end-markets such as RMA and micronized rubber powder, we are charting a course toward a more sustainable future for end-of-life tires," said Forristall Luke. "Through cross-sector collaboration that brings together regulators, environmental stewards and stakeholders throughout the tire recycling value chain, the Foundation can catalyze impactful solutions benefiting both industry and the environment."

Today there are nearly 400 Tires Plus and Hibdon Tires Plus locations located in 22 states and employing more than 5,000 teammates as part of the Bridgestone Retail Operations network of tire & automotive service providers. Tires Plus and Hibdon Tires Plus locations offer total car care, from premium Bridgestone and Firestone tires, to repairs and maintenance services.

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs more than 45,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.

Learn how we make the world a better place as Team Dow. Through respect and integrity, we lead with our core values and innovative spirit to create more sustainable materials science solutions for everyone.

Team Dow makes us one of the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science companies in the world. Find opportunities to join Dow in a capacity that works best for you.

With growing demands for material circularity and sustainability in the global automotive industry, self-sealing tires are becoming a new solution which enable lighter-weight vehicles. The new silicone sealant technology is designed to form a self-sealing layer on the inner surface of a tire. It provides outstanding sealing performance following puncture, allowing driving long distances without loss of tire pressure.

The sustainability attributes of conventional self-sealing tires is severely limited, resulting in non-recyclable tires, causing extra burden and inhibiting industrial sustainable development. In addition, the complex high temperature application process and need for extensive laser cleaning of the tire surface prior to coating increase energy consumption and environmental impact during production.

Timberland and Omni United first conceived this partnership three years ago, when sustainability leaders from both brands came together to address a longstanding shared concern. The tire and footwear industries are two of the largest users of virgin rubber. The majority of tires on the market today have a limited life span; ecologically-sound disposal at the end of that life span presents yet another challenge.

Timberland Tires represent a new model in tire innovation: a sustainable, tire-to-shoe lifecycle. Positioned at the premium end of the market, Timberland Tires are designed and created for superior performance and safety on the road. The tires will be made in the U.S. (using both domestic and imported materials) and feature a rubber formulation that is appropriate for the recycling of the tires at the end of their useful life into Timberland shoes, rather than alternatives such as being used for tire-derived fuel or ending up in landfills.

To bring the tire-to-shoe continuum to life, Timberland and Omni United have established an industry-first tire return/chain of custody process, to ensure the tires go directly to dedicated North American recycling facilities to begin their path toward a second life as part of a Timberland product. Key steps include:

The Timberland Tires product line provides market coverage in three categories. The Timberland CROSS tire (for small SUVs and crossover vehicles) will be available in April 2015 in 21 sizes, expanding to 35 sizes by September 2015. The Timberland A/T tire (for trucks and large SUVs) will be available in July 2015 in 30 sizes, and the Timberland TOUR tire (for cars) will be launched in 2016 in at least 25 sizes. This will round out the Timberland Tires portfolio, giving it three distinct lines with 90+ sizes covering about 75 percent of the North American passenger vehicle market.

c80f0f1006