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Davanti Protoura Sport put through its paces

Former Olympic champion and British race car driver Sir Chris Hoy recently put Davanti Tyres’ Protoura Sport through its paces in Portugal to see if the tyre delivers a high performance driving experience.

To do that, he joined Davanti at its partner track, F1’s Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão.

Driving a Mercedes E53 AMG at speeds exceeding 240km/h, Hoy seized the opportunity to explore the full high performance capabilities of Davanti’s flagship range.

“I’ve tested Protoura Sport lap after lap and they’ve been incredible,” said Hoy, who since retiring as one of Britain’s most decorated Olympians has taken up a career in motorsport.

“This is the first time I’ve got them out on track and they hold really well at high speed. I genuinely can’t believe how little wear they showed despite me constantly pushing them hard.

“If you can get a tyre to perform here, then you know that it’s capable of doing anything you throw at it on the road.”

Protoura Sport is the first tyre allocated significant development time at Davanti’s new European Development Centre at IDIADA.

Submitted to both Dekra and TÜV SÜD, it reportedly outperformed leading brand rivals in a series of technical performance tests.

Designed for the premium vehicle market, the Protoura Sport’s performance and styling place it among the established UHP class-leaders, according to Davanti.

Built with an enriched rubber compound to offer exceptional grip at high speeds, the Protoura Sport’s key design features ensure grip and control is delivered where it is needed instantly.

Precision-engineered interlocking tread blocks and an integrated intelligent water management system featuring wide circumferential grooves, trapezoid projections and hydro-dynamic dimples drive water away from the contact area without any negative impact on dry-weather driving.

“There’s a noticeable difference between the Protoura Sport and other UHP tyres I’ve fitted in the past,” said Hoy. “With Davanti they are incredibly hard-wearing, so it’s not just about performance but it’s the fact that they take so much abuse. You can be thrashing the car around all day and there’s still plenty of tread and performance left in the tyres.

“It’s not just about one lap around the race track, it’s about knowing they are going to last well throughout the year and beyond.

“Protoura holds the road really nicely in both dry and wet conditions. Even during heavy downpours they just keep hold of the road in a way that feels more reliable and predictable than other tyres.

“Their grip under braking also gives you plenty of confidence. I love driving, being in control and Protoura Sport gives you an incredible connection to the road, making the car feel at one with the driver.

“Davanti have done a fantastic job with the Protoura Sport. For a tyre of this price point in particular, it’s astounding what it’s capable of.”