Latest news with #ContinentalTires
Scoop
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Douglas Heads To Toronto For Penultimate Round Of USF Pro 2000 Season
The Streets of Toronto are the next stop for Jacob Douglas in the 2025 USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires, with the 1.786-mile (2.87 km), 11-turn street circuit hosting the penultimate race weekend of the season. Douglas heads into this weekend's double-header sitting fifth in the standings, just 44 points shy of second place. Championship leader and Douglas's Pabst Racing teammate, Max Garcia, holds a commanding 97-point lead and could clinch the title in Toronto. The 20-year-old brings valuable experience to the Canadian street course, having raced at Toronto four times in USF2000, where he scored two top-five finishes and finished outside the top ten only once. 'This is one of my favourite tracks, and I'm so excited to get back out there,' said Douglas. 'We've had some strong results here in the past, so we'll be gunning for more this weekend. 'The championship battle from second through sixth is super tight, and a strong showing in Toronto could see Pabst Racing holding first and second in the standings.' With five podiums this season, including a race win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and a second-placed finish last round at Mid-Ohio, Douglas is eyeing more silverware in the final stretch. 'We've shown strong pace all year, and with only four races left, there's no reason we can't add to that tally.' Pabst Racing also leads the Team's Championship by 172 points, with the results of the top two finishers of each race per team contributing to the standings. Following Toronto, the 2025 USF Pro 2000 season concludes in Portland, where Douglas took his maiden USF2000 victory at Portland International Raceway. 'Two tracks we're strong on to wrap up the season—looking forward to finishing with momentum on our side!' the young Kiwi added. This weekend's USF Pro 2000 action supports the NTT IndyCar Series and kicks off with practice at 3:35 AM NZST on Saturday, followed by Qualifying 1 at 6:10 AM. Qualifying 2 takes place at 1:35 AM on Sunday, ahead of Race 1 at 8:20 AM. The weekend concludes with Race 2 at 2:20 AM on Monday morning. Both qualifying sessions and races will be streamed live on the USF Pro Championships YouTube channel. About Jacob Douglas Jacob Douglas is a 19-year-old racecar driver from New Zealand. He is a multiple-time national champion in karting and was the 2023 USF YACademy Champion. He took 11 podiums, including seven wins, in USF 2000 machinery in the United States in 2023, before making two GB3 cameos in 2024. He is a member of New Zealand's prestigious Elite Motorsport Academy, winning the renowned Bruce McLaren and Ian Snellgrove trophies among the Class of 2024. In 2025, he returns to North America to compete his rookie season in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires. Where to watch:
Scoop
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Jacob Douglas Eyes Championship Climb At Mid-Ohio
Kiwi talent Jacob Douglas returns to the grid this weekend in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires, targeting a major push up the points standings as the season enters its final stretch. Douglas heads into the double-header at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course sixth in the standings, locked in a tight battle for second place. While his Pabst Racing teammate Max Garcia enjoys a commanding 72-point lead in the Driver's Championship, Douglas remains firmly in contention, just 45 points oƯ second place. The 20-year-old New Zealander arrives at Mid-Ohio in strong form, following an impressive outing at Road America that saw him secure back-to-back podiums in the opening two races and charge from the back of the field to a top ten finish in Race 3 after being caught in a mid-race incident. 'Really looking forward to getting back out there,' said Douglas. 'We tested at Mid-Ohio earlier this year and had solid pace, even with poor weather and a focus on long-run setups. I'm feeling confident after a strong showing at Road America, where we picked up our third and fourth podiums of the season. 'The championship fight is still wide open. A strong weekend here could put us second in the standings heading into the final two race weekends. Max has a healthy lead, but we're not counting anything out just yet.' Douglas also spoke to the value of momentum at this stage of the year: 'We're heading into a really important phase of the season. It's all about consistency now, maximising every session, qualifying well, and keeping it clean in the races. Mid-Ohio can be unforgiving, so staying sharp and adaptable will be key.' Douglas brings additional experience at Mid-Ohio from his time in the USF2000 Championship, where he scored two top ten finishes. That familiarity could prove crucial as he aims to capitalise on every opportunity in this weekend's key battles. Track action kicks oƯ with two test sessions on Thursday (local time), followed by oƯicial practice at 12:45 am NZST on Saturday. Qualifying gets underway at 4:15 am NZST the same day. Race 1 takes place at 3:55 am NZST on Sunday, with Race 2 scheduled for 9:15 am NZST. Both races will run over 30 laps. Fans can catch all the action live on the USF Pro Championships YouTube channel. About Jacob Douglas Jacob Douglas is a 19-year-old racecar driver from New Zealand. He is a multiple-time national champion in karting and was the 2023 USF YACademy Champion. He took 11 podiums, including seven wins, in USF 2000 machinery in the United States in 2023, before making two GB3 cameos in 2024. He is a member of New Zealand's prestigious Elite Motorsport Academy, winning the renowned Bruce McLaren and Ian Snellgrove trophies among the Class of 2024 In 2025, he returns to North America to compete his rookie season in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires. Where to watch: The USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires can be viewed live on the USF Pro Championships YouTube channel.
Scoop
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Jacob Douglas Targets Big Results At Road America After Dominant Test Pace
New Zealand's Jacob Douglas heads to Road America this weekend for what could be a pivotal round in the USF Pro 2000 Championship presented by Continental Tires, coming oƯ a dominant performance in pre-event testing. Driving for Pabst Racing, Douglas topped three of the six sessions and finished second in the others, becoming one of only two drivers to break the 2:01 barrier around the iconic 4.01-mile (6.45km), 14-turn circuit. Currently sitting fifth in the championship standings, Douglas has been one of the standout performers of 2025, with a maiden series victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a podium finish in St. Petersburg, and a string of top-five and top-ten finishes that have kept him within striking distance of the title contenders. With teammate Max Garcia leading the standings on 231 points, Douglas trails by 90 — but with 98 points on oƯer this weekend alone, the New Zealander is focused on closing the gap. 'We've made big gains all season in pace, consistency, and execution,' said Douglas. 'Now it's about putting that together. We know Road America suits us, and if we qualify well, we'll be right in the mix for the podium.' Douglas describes Road America as one of the best tracks in North America. 'It's fast, flowing, and super technical. It rewards confidence and commitment, and after how strong we were in testing, I'm coming into the weekend with a really positive mindset. 'This is one of those tracks where if you're in the zone, you can make big things happen.' The Wisconsin circuit holds special significance for Douglas, who scored his first-ever USF 2000 top-ten at the track in 2022 and returned in 2023 to take his maiden podium while debuting with Pabst Racing. 'I've always enjoyed racing here,' he added. 'There's just something about this place that clicks with me. The atmosphere, the challenge — it brings out the best in drivers. I've had some great memories here already, and now I want to add to them.' With just four race weekends remaining — all running on the support bill of the NTT IndyCar Series — Douglas and his team are pushing hard on all fronts, both on the track and oƯ it. While much of the season's backing is already in place, a final push is now critical to ensure the campaign can be completed in full. 'We've had amazing support so far, and I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who's been part of the journey,' said Douglas. 'But to be completely transparent, we still need to secure one or two key partners to see out the rest of the season.' 'These last events are high-profile, high-stakes rounds — perfect for brands wanting to make an impact with a fast-rising driver and a championship-winning team. The opportunity is right here, right now, and we need to make it happen.' This weekend's action at Road America begins with a pair of test sessions on Thursday local time, before two qualifying sessions on Friday at 11.20 am and 1.35 pm CST (Saturday 4.20 am & 6.35 am NZST). Saturday sees the first two races at 8.00 am and 4.25 pm CST (Sunday 1.00 am & 9.25 am NZST) before Sunday's finale at 7.55 am (Monday 12.55 am NZST). Fans can watch all the action live on the USF Pro Championships YouTube channel, while Douglas shares real-time updates and behind-the-scenes content across his social media platforms. About Jacob Douglas: Jacob Douglas is a 19-year-old racecar driver from New Zealand. He is a multiple-time national champion in karting and was the 2023 USF YACademy Champion. He took 11 podiums, including seven wins, in USF 2000 machinery in the United States in 2023, before making two GB3 cameos in 2024. He is a member of New Zealand's prestigious Elite Motorsport Academy, winning the renowned Bruce McLaren and Ian Snellgrove trophies among the Class of 2024 In 2025, he returns to North America to compete his rookie season in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires. Where to watch: The USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires can be viewed live on the USF Pro Championships YouTube channel.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Continental Tires to invest ₹100 crore in Modipuram plant to expand India operations
Continental Tires has announced a ₹100 crore investment in its Modipuram plant as part of its efforts to expand its product portfolio and manufacturing capabilities in India. The move is aimed at strengthening the company's presence in the passenger car and light truck (PLT) tyre segment. India continues to be a key growth market for Continental in the Asia Pacific region. The company said the investment aligns with its 'in the market, for the market' strategy, which involves tailoring production and offerings to local requirements. 'With our 'in the market, for the market' approach, we're aligning our portfolio to reflect the evolving lifestyle needs of Indian drivers, from daily commutes and long-distance travel to changing expectations around comfort, safety, and convenience," said Samir Gupta, managing director of Continental Tires India. Product focus shifts towards SUVs and performance segments Continental is expanding its range of Ultra High-Performance (UHP) and larger-inch tyres, with a focus on products suited for SUVs, 4x4s, and sporty vehicles. This follows a shift in consumer preference within the Indian market, driven by infrastructure changes and the rising popularity of utility vehicles. The company also plans to introduce the CrossContact AT2 tyre as part of its growing all-terrain product range. Continental Tires operates sales and distribution from Faridabad, while its Modipuram facility in Uttar Pradesh handles production for passenger and light truck tyres . It has a network of over 200 brand stores across India and recently opened an IT hub in Bengaluru. The company reiterated its intent to pursue long-term growth in India, focusing on locally engineered solutions for the domestic market.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Continental Tires exits truck tyres biz; to focus on passenger segment
In a major strategic shift in India, Continental Tires has announced that it will exit its its Truck and Bus Radial (TBR) tyre business by June 2025 and will focus solely on Passenger Car and Light Truck (PLT) tyre segment. The TBR segment faces stiff competition and is highly price sensitivite. This realignment includes ceasing TBR manufacturing at its Modipuram plant in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, to ensure the long-term viability of its operations and align with future growth opportunities in the PLT tyre premium segment . The company has recently opened an IT Hub in Bengaluru. A boost to local products The Faridabad-headquartered company will focus on further developing its local product portfolio and manufacturing footprint to align with future growth opportunities in the PLT tyre premium segment. The decision follows a comprehensive business review, which was aimed at safeguarding and strengthening the company's competitiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. The company serves both replacement and original equipment customers. Support for employees In the restructuring plan, the company has chalked out a plan to provide assistance to its affected employees. This support includes assistance and support, such as career counselling, and potential employment opportunities inside and outside of Continental. In addition, a voluntary retirement and separation scheme will be offered to the employees.
