Michelin tyres make a difference... to the world's fastest Defender

STOKE-ON-TRENT, UNITED KINGDOM – October 12, 2009: A Michelin Diamaris-shod diesel-powered Defender 90 has just won the World’s Fastest Land Rover Defender shootout.

The event, which took place at Bruntingthorpe proving ground in Leicestershire on Tuesday 29 September, attracted 27 entries from tuners and private individuals who brought along their Defenders to see which would be fastest over a number of tests. These included straight-line acceleration and timed sprints around short circuits.

The winning vehicle was a TD5-powered hardtop which had been tuned by Thirsk-based specialist, Twisted Performance, and was fitted with 285/50 R 18 Michelin Diamaris high performance 4x4 tyres. These tyres were originally designed for high performance SUVs such as the Porsche Cayenne but worked perfectly in the demanding conditions of this challenge to give the car the winning edge.

Commenting on the performance, the car’s owner Charlie Fawcett said: ‘We are obviously very pleased to have won this event as we were up against some much more powerful opposition, including supercharged V8-powered vehicles. In the end though, the Michelin tyres really made a difference as we were able use every one of our 239bhp to easily win both of the timed circuit sprints, and the overall title.

‘At times we had so much grip that the car was cornering on two wheels and our driver said it reminded him of his Clio race car in the way it turned into corners.’

The Michelin Diamaris is part of Michelin’s extensive range of 4x4 tyres which offers something to suit a wide variety of vehicles and operating conditions.