Tire producers, automakers and professional racing teams are being invited to take part in implementing a “first-of-its-kind” tire research center set to be up and running by 2012 in the Charlotte, N.C. area.
“This proposed testing facility will go well beyond what exists anywhere and directly address needs of automakers around the world,” reports Dr. James Cuttino, director of the North Carolina Motorsports and Automotive Research Center at the University of North Carolina. He is taking a leave of absence from the school to become president of Camber Ridge, a firm established to drive the corporately funded endeavor.
“High-grade research capabilities, backed by the biggest names in auto and tire manufacturing, will allow us to tackle tire safety, wear and energy efficiency issues faster and more cost-effectively than if a company or university pursued it alone,” Cuttino says.
The effort was created in response to a federal mandate that says all cars produced beginning in 2011 must have Electronic Stability Control (ESC) devices, which automatically apply brakes to one side of the car to prevent loss of control or rollover. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), ESC could prevent 221,000 to 323,000 crashes and save 5,300 to 9,600 lives annually.
“This may be the single biggest thing since the federal requirement for seat belts,” says H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, a recent inductee into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and chairman of the Charlotte Regional Partnership. “Having this facility right here in Charlotte USA, the capital of stock car racing, will be a source of pride considering its future impact on racing and consumer safety in general.”
The exact location of the facility, which will also conduct research in collaboration with local universities, has yet to be decided as Camber Ridge officials continue talks with area economic developers.
“This facility is a world class coup for the Charlotte region,” says Ronnie Bryant, president of the Charlotte Regional Partnership. “It will undoubtedly extend our lead in the automotive and motorsports engineering industries.”
For more information, visit www.coe.uncc.edu/motorsports.
