The original LRV tires were woven out of piano wire and capable of supporting 60lbs for up to 75 miles. These new version adopt a denser weave and more advanced materials, with the goal of being able to support up to 600lbs over 100 miles. These concepts will be one of several designs strenuously tested across the remainder of the year, with a final version scheduled for released next winter. [via Carscoop]

What we learned is that the end result of the last few years of horsepower wars is an increase in wheel diameter, decrease in aspect ratio, and rise in speed rating on tires mounted on vehicles rolling off assembly lines. Most amazing was the statistic that overall sales of Ultra High Performance [UHP] tires were up 68% since 2002. This either means people want their cars to look wicked cool, or they're driving the snot out if their machines and demanding more grip.

After class came recess. The first two events were to compare sets of tires and last to put the latest tire Bridgestone UHP tire to the test. Cars on deck were Pontiac G6 front spinners and BMW 325i rear drivers. Instructors rode along to prevent cone mowing provide helpful driving tips. The first test was a touring tire comparo with the BMW 325i. We had One and seven-eights rain-soaked laps to compare the Bridgestone Turanza with the the Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus. Very little difference was noted, but to be fair it's hard collect subtlety over less than four laps.

Next up was the Rent-a-Car Challenge Pontiac G6 entries, and a toss up between a Firestone Firehawk GT and a Goodyear Eagle ResponsEdge. The Firehawk handled things fairly well, but the Goodyears cut loose against the rev limiter on lead foot application of throttle. The last event was a relay of sorts with teams competing against each other for overall time. A single BMW 325i was mounted with Bridgestone RE-01R UHP tires for maximum hoonage. Our team came in second, but we got to learn a few things about running cones and choosing tires. We also learned that the drive-by-wire throttle combined with traction control on the 325i stinks.

At the end of the day choosing the right tire is about being honest with yourself about your driving style, and a compromise between tire compounds and construction. Wicked sticky UHP? Don't expect long tread life. All-season radial with quiet good manners and long wearing qualities? Don't expect super lateral grip or quick turn-in. The manufacturers are getting better at blurring the lines with high performance all-season radials and so on, but there is no one tire that does it all. And finally, because only 19% of Americans ever check their tire pressure we remind you to do so once a month. – Mike Bumbeck

DISCLOSURE: Bridgestone supplied the vehicles, road course, tires, and the water truck for the Drive & Learn event. Additional rain was provided by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Related:
Tire Companies to Consumers: Ten Years and Out [Internal]

We're always leery of changing a tire by the side of the road at night, but that's got less to do with our abilities with a spare and more to do with being afraid of the dark. Still, these three humorous little Brit bits from the boys and girls at Goodyear remind everyone of the hazards of changing tyres (or tires if you're on this side of the pond) by the side of the road. Of course Goodyear would say that — they sell those run-flat tires, which to us sound silly 'cause, you know, how do you know if it's flat if it still feels like it isn't. Plus hey, didn't they have that trouble with the Lotus last week too? – Ray Wert

Related:
The Lotus Elise Should Probably Be Serviced Anywhere But Orlando [internal]

Goodyear's rolling out their Wingfoot Express 1917 Packard 3-ton truck, a replica of the first commercial truck to roll on pneumatic tires, to promote the opening of various Wingfoot Commercial Tire Centers. During the Wilson administration, the truck made the 740-mile trip from Akron to New England in 28 days, using up just as many tires in the process. 21 days late, the two-man team and their film crew made it to Goodyear's fabric mill in Killingly, CT, where much to their surprise they were greeted by Mission of Burma a brass band and hundreds of cheerful mill workers. Later on in Akron, Devo started, but we're not sure if Mothersbaugh, Casale, et. al. ever saved a freight car for Uncle Sam.

Related:
We Even Saw the Lights of the Goodyear Blimp... [Internal]

One of the best parts of living in Pedro is the distinctive drone — and even more impressive sight — of the Goodyear Blimp overhead. Our blimp is called Spirit of America, which of course, is also a Beach Boys song about one of the fastest cars in history, while the one based in Akron is the more pedestrian, "Spirit of Goodyear." And does this mean that our spirit, and that of our marquee tire manufacturer is large, slow, bulbous and filled with helium? Regardless, the 10 finalists for the name of a new blimp have have been chosen, and you can click over and vote. Please, just don't vote for "Patriot of Peace," because it's horribly awkward and embarrasses us. The new dirigible will be based in Pompano Beach, FL.

Name the Blimp! [Goodyear]

Related:
The Wings of Goodyear to Carry Less: Tiremaker to Slash Production in Wake of Hurricanes [Internal]

A couple of months back, the man who asks, "Why can't there be more talk about buttsex on Jalopnik?" aka CTE blew a tire. Like, as in, it exploded. CTE, being the stylish man of means that he is, drives a Focus ZX3, which features a Blaupunkt stereo, crank windows and Pirelli tires that're some special half-inch size that also cost an arm and a leg to replace. Needless to say, when the time came to replace the tire, CTE wasn't a happy camper. But the tire companies and the automakers are loving it.

For example, the Scion TC can be had with Goodyear Eagle F1s all around. The bad news is that it costs about a seventeenth of the car's price to replace 'em. Our friend Chad used to work at a Big O in Napa and said that he used to have rich Napans showing up in their swanky cars, wondering why their tires hadn't lasted longer and wanting the cheapest possible replacement. One other downside to all of these new, playa-tastic tires we once blew a tire outside of Lordsburg, NM on a Saturday night. And nobody in town, or indeed, within a 50 mile radius, had a couple 245/50 R15s to get us on our way again. Now, imagine if you were looking for a set of 245/20 R24s or whatever. Good luck, Funkmaster.

Still, it only spells growth for the tire industry performance tires are the one expanding area in what's otherwise a somewhat stagnant market. The tire & wheel area at SEMA has gotten so ridiculously huge it's threatening to swallow the rest of the show like Dom DeLuise after a four-hour hunger strike. And tires are the easiest change you can make to improve your car's handling. Even a set of modest performance tires can make a massive difference over rock-hard all-season tires. And, of course, we can't discount the love the ladies have for the dubs...

Sporty tires jazz up cars, but cost burns hole in wallets [USA Today]

Related:
New Red Smoke Tires Introduced for Drifting [Internal]

Due to supply issues caused by the recent Gulf Coast hurricanes, Goodyear has cut output at its North American plants by 30%. The problems will affect Goodyear's nine North American plants, which make up roughly half of its worldwide production. While the company anticipates being able to fulfill its contracts for the time being, it has "force majeure" contracts with customers which allows it to drop out of an agreement if unforeseen circumstances make it impossible for the company to do so.

Goodyear's Gulf Coast chemical plants in Tejas have resumed at least partial production, much of which includes synthetic rubber. The Bayport plant is fully operational, while the Beaumont plant began to come online Friday. Glitch or major problem for the tire and rubber giant? We shall see.

Hurricane Forces Goodyear to Cut Back Production [USA Today]

Related:
Katrina Saves Auto Lobbyists Soul? [Internal]