(Motorsports news) Extreme E has revealed its calendar for the upcoming 2024 season, as the pioneering off-road racing championship gears up for its fourth campaign. Extreme E, the pioneering electric off-road racing championship, is pleased to announce the renewal of its partnership with Continental, the championship’s official tyre supplier and Founding Partner. This extension agreement signed today solidifies the commitment of both organizations as they continue to advance the world of sustainable motorsport and environmental awareness.
Continental is one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers and employs over 56,000 people globally. As an original Founding Partner of Extreme E since the series’ inception back in 2019, the German tyre brand has designed and built ultra-high-performance tyres that specifically address the needs of the championship’s ultra-demanding off-road racing as well as for the unique characteristics of Extreme E’s fully electric Odyssey 21 SUVs.
2023 saw Continental’s development of the most advanced CrossContact off-road race tyre yet which boasts 43 per cent recycled and renewable materials, making it the most sustainable championship tyre produced since the collaboration began. Among the materials used in its manufacture, is silica obtained from the ash of rice husks, waste material of agriculture as well as polyester yarn from recycled PET plastic bottles.
But that’s not all. Continental’s partnership with Extreme E goes beyond race product. The organisation recently donated approximately 400 square metres of rubber paving stones – from the Extreme E CrossContact racing tyre – to build a new basketball court in Hannover, Germany. ‘Turning racing tyres into living space’, aims to give children in the area a safe and entertaining place to play, run and train.
Ali Russell, Extreme E Managing Director, expressed his enthusiasm for Continental’s continued support. He said: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Continental, not only as our Founding Partner but it is an organisation that shares our commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation. Continental’s continued dedication to creating bespoke tyres that perform exceptionally in the world’s harshest terrains aligns perfectly with our mission to drive change through motorsport. Their unwavering support plays a pivotal role in the success of Extreme E and the message we aim to convey.”
Claudio Toldi, Head of Marketing Communications, Replacement Tires EMEA, added: “We are looking forward to entering another exciting season together with Extreme E. With our tyre, the Extreme E CrossContact, we guarantee the participating teams perfect performance on all kinds of surfaces and challenges, no matter where the races take place. “The electric off-road racing championship series is the ideal platform for us to test new tyre technologies and developments before their series launch for the passenger car sector.
In 2022, for example, we tested our ContiRe.Tex technology for the first time in the Extreme E tyre. Our latest tyre consists of around 43 per cent recycled and renewable materials – in this way we actively shape and contribute to a sustainable motorsport and more environmental awareness.” Continental has set itself the mission of becoming the most progressive tyre company in terms of environmental and social responsibility.
For Continental, circular economy solutions represent an important route to achieving its ambitious goal of carbon neutrality throughout its value chain by 2050 at the latest.
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