Live at SEMA: Pirelli Unveils P Zero Silver

Pirelli introduced its new Formula 1-derived street tire – the P Zero Silver – at the SEMA Show Tuesday.

The tiremaker, which is the exclusive F1 tire supplier for 2011-13, said it has used that motorsports technology to deliver a multi-compound UHP replacement tire with increased longevity and UHP capabilities.

The P Zero Silver, which will be available in the first quarter of 2012 in 8 sizes for 19- and 20-inch rim diameters, was specifically developed for premium sport sedan and coupe drivers requiring an extended durability UHP tire. According to Pirelli, it is a sporty enthusiast tire that offers “great road feel and superior performance along with Pirelli safety features such as excellent wet braking and anti-aquaplaning performance.”

The P Zero Silver shares not only the name and aesthetic references, but also the planning models, material technology and production processes of F1 tires. Pirelli said its use of the modeling and data gathered in race allowed for faster development of the new tire and reduced the time required to develop a tire from the ground up from the standard two years to only a few months.

Ascot Supply Corporation, based in Newnan, Georgia, has selected Mark Paquette for the newly created position of vice president. In this position, Ascot Supply said Paquette will oversee the growth of the company's products, corporate profitability, manage marketing and advertising and assume many other responsibilities.

He will work under the direction of current President David Kessler and officially begin his new role on June 3. Paquette joined the tire and automotive industry in the early 1980s at his father's tire shop, and his contributions to Mohawk Rubber Sales were instrumental in the company's growth and eventual sale to Myers Tire Supply in 2021, according to Ascot Supply. Paquette eventually was given a promotion to the role of director of operations at Myers Tire Supply.