BFGoodrich Tires is helping the next generation of automotive engineers design a rallycross car that’s powerful and sustainable.
The Michelin North America brand supplied tires for testing, provided tire data and analysis to the designers, and gave expertise to the design-review phase for Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research’s “Deep Orange” program.
Each year, the program immerses graduate automotive engineering students in designing cars of the future and allows students to produce a vehicle prototype. A longtime supporter of the program, Michelin and its BFGoodrich Tires have a history in American rallycross racing, which includes building custom tires for the former Red Bull Global Rallycross series for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. With help from Michelin engineers, the students working on the Deep Orange project created a unique 600-horsepower, high-performance, rallycross car with a clean, fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain, advanced technical features and dynamic handling and acceleration, Michelin said.
“The rallycross vehicle these students designed is built for racing. But it’s also sustainable and exciting,” said Ken Payne, motorsports technical director for Michelin North America. “We’re hoping the students who worked on this project will take that message with them as they begin their automotive engineering careers.”
The vehicle will be unveiled Oct. 6 on Clemson University’s campus in Clemson, S.outh Carolina. Andrew Comrie-Picard, a professional rallycross racer, Hollywood stunt driver and BFGoodrich brand ambassador, will help introduce the car. Comrie-Picard, has competed in five X Games rallycross competitions and will offer guests rides on a simulated rallycross course.
For more information about the concept car and the Oct. 6 event, visit www.cuicardeeporange.com.
