The war of aggression launched by Russia, with its multiplier effect, is severely hitting motor sports.
Tire manufacturers lost their tire factories during the war. Zumawire / MVphotos
In motorsports, the future worries.
That, of course, has been the case for a long time, but hardly anyone could have expected this concern.
Instead of climate change, the species is drifting into crisis due to a shortage of tires caused by the Russian war.
Civilian cars number one priority
For tire manufacturers, motorsport is just a PR way to market the actual main product, civilian car tires. Zumawire / MVPHOTOS
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused much sorrow and suffering.
Nothing compares to the horrors experienced by the Ukrainian people. Human and material damage has long exceeded our comprehension.
The rest of the world has played a part in the political and economic decisions that followed the war.
Following the destruction or collapse of production lines to Russia on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain, the price of many consumer goods has either risen or its availability has deteriorated.
This has happened to tires. Many tire brands found themselves in a difficult position in the spring, as production facilities built in Russia no longer produced black tubers as fuel for business.
The solution was either to build new ones or to modify existing, non-Russian production facilities to meet the needs of the automotive industry. Factories are now pushing out tires suitable for civilian cars.
In that change, motorsport suffered.
– For tire brands, motorsport is just an expensive PR investment. The amount of tires made for motorsports is just a small margin from the whole pot, Marko Koiranen says.
Tires with a card
Tires for such an LMP3 race car are not available at every tire store. Kimmo Kemppi
The long-line formula veteran drove at its best 60 formula cars around the world in various series.
This year, Koiranen Kemppi Motorsport’s repertoire includes the Finnish F4 series and two LMP3 cars. Still, you don’t want to find tires.
– Our previous tests at Kymiring were a gimmick. We had to use old tires and introduce the ear-marked tires for the next race, Koiranen says.
Although Koiranen has networks around the world, the message is the same everywhere. There are currently no tires to share.
The problem is already well into the future. Koiranen says that the number of tires available for next winter’s tests is limited.
Koiranen says the concern in the field is great at the moment.
– I’ll say it straight. If the situation continues like this for a long time, it will inevitably show up.
Now you would think twice
Marko Koiranen says the situation is awkward. Marko Laitala
First of all, Koiranen wonders in an interview that he could not anticipate the situation and order large quantities of tires for storage.
Then he realizes the absurdity of the idea himself.
– How could I have thought that? After all, no one in the world could have predicted what the world situation would be like, Koiranen points to Russia’s actions.
The Finnish stable’s LMP3 season in Germany is not in jeopardy. The kit will deliver the rings to all participants.
The problem is the lack of tires in Finland.
– Test days are a significant source of income for us. But what do you think of drivers when there are no tires? The dog is ashes.
Driving drivers in tests is a business for the Finnish team. Koiranen says that canceling test days make a really big dent in the stable’s budget.
Koiranen has experienced everything possible between earth and sky in motorsport. Victories have been celebrated and wounds licked.
The last few years have been tough for those who make a living from motorsport in Finland. First, Korona punished, and now the effects of the Russian war.
– This situation doesn’t take a night’s sleep yet, but I’m very worried. If I had been able to predict the future, I would have thought twice about this project, Koiranen sighs, referring to the new LMP3 stable.