The Dunlop Motorsport Division, part of Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Ltd, has replaced its fleet with the delivery of fifteen Iveco Stralis Active Space Super³ tractor units from West Midlands-based Iveco dealer Guest Trucks.
The new fleet operated by Dunlop marks the first Iveco heavy trucks to join the company’s fleet in the UK. They will be used to service major racing events across Europe, including rounds of the British Touring Car Championship, British Super Bike Championship, MotoGP, Le Mans Series, World SuperMoto and World Endurance Racing.
Each of the Stralis 4x2 tractor units (AS440S45T/P) has been specified with Iveco’s range-topping AS Super³ cab, which provides a comfortable environment for drivers when travelling to and from race tracks on the Continent.
Paul Baxter, Fleet Engineer Dunlop Motorsport EU, explains: “The arrival of these new vehicles will be used to support some of the highest profile motorsport events in Europe. We’ve operated Iveco Dailys on the fleet for a number of years and were drawn to evaluate the Stralis based on our positive experience of the Iveco marque.
“The Stralis sets a very high standard in terms of comfort and space inside the cab, and the initial impressions from our drivers has been very positive. The dealer support network across Europe is also very strong, which is important as our vehicles will spend a lot of time overseas,” he adds.
Finished in Dunlop’s distinctive bright yellow livery, each Stralis AS Super³ offers drivers maximum comfort and space inside the cab, with a heated and air-suspended driver’s seat offering four separate comfort level settings and a flat floor covering the living area of the cab. The high-specification interior also includes a slide-out fridge, air-conditioning, door roller blinds and an electrically operated roof-vent and windscreen blind.
As one of the most spacious two-man high-roof cabs available on the market, the new AS Super³ offers 20 per cent more internal space (+95 mm in height, +90mm in depth, allowing for a total of 1.8m³) than the previous AS model Stralis.
The new fleet operates with a range of specialist trailers, many of which include mobile tyre fitting workshops, generators and private offices for meetings between Dunlop technicians and race teams.
These trailers also carry extensive awnings enabling crews to work outside, whilst other trailers are dedicated to carrying tyres to and from the events.
Supplied on a five year operating lease with a comprehensive repair & maintenance contract through Iveco Capital, each of the new Stralis’ is expected to cover up to 40,000 km a year. Servicing will be managed by Guest Trucks in Coventry – one of Guest’s four Iveco dealerships in the West Midlands.
Power is provided by Iveco’s 10.3 litre Cursor 10 engine (Euro 5), which is capable of producing up to 450 hp between 1,550 and 2,100 rev/min and up to 2,100 Nm of torque between 1,050 and 1,550 rev/min, driven through a twelve speed EuroTronic gearbox, which offers either fully or semi-automated shifts.