Apr 6 2009
When a performer is at the top of his game, some refer to the occasion as a “command performance.” With a recent showing at the 2009 Tire Rack ProSolo National Series opener event in California, Dunlop’s Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec tires delivered a “repeat performance.”
Winning the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) competition March 28-29 in the Street Touring Ultra (STU) Class at El Toro airfield was racer Richard Jung, of Laguna Niguel, CA, who also won the 2008 opening event on Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec tires. Jung, in his Dunlop-equipped Mitsubishi Evo, bested the field again this year, including the current STU ProSolo National Champion.
Taking his accomplishment even higher, Jung also turned in the fastest street tire time of the two-day event at the former U.S. Marine air station.
Jung said, “There has been a lot of hype about new street tires from some of Dunlop’s competitors for this type of competition, so it was satisfying to get a repeat victory as evidence that the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is still the tire to beat.
“Enthusiasts are getting the message that this Dunlop tire is proven to be the fastest in competition. You can feel the difference when you push the Star Specs, which is an advantage, because it allows a more consistent feel and reduced the need for suspension adjustments between runs,” Jung said.
According to Matthew Neidert, Dunlop Tires brand manager, “The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is an ultra-high performance summer tire for serious driving enthusiasts who measure the highway in laps.” The tire features the Star Spec tread compound, which helps a performance car’s initial dry grip during sanctioned amateur driving events, such as autocross and high-performance track events hosted by regional car clubs. The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec had excellent success in SCCA competition during 2008, including winning the overall 2008 Hawk Super Challenge, part of the Tire Rack ProSolo Series.
Neidert said Jung’s repeat win at El Toro “again proves the Star Specs are among the best ultra-high performance tires an enthusiast can buy. His times and consistency allowed him to take the win over other cars, and people are definitely taking notice.”
Jung will next take the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs into battle at the April 25 Tire Rack ProSolo event in Wendover, UT.
The Dunlop Sport Direzza Z1 was awarded the european car “Select Gear 2008” distinction in the magazine’s December 2008 issue. Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is available in 20 sizes with rim diameters from 15 to 18 inches.
Dunlop is a global tire brand with an excellent reputation among performance car enthusiasts. Well known for its prestigious original-equipment fitments and sports car racing heritage, Dunlop is also a key supplier to sport compact enthusiasts featuring “tuner” tire sizes and race series sponsorships.