Top Gear and Tyre Exclusivity Puts Giti Centre Stage

Giti is celebrating a successful year as Official Partner and Exclusive Tyre Supplier to the British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC)with highlights including a Top Gear special and Team Oliver finishing third overall.

For the first time all competition trucks were fitted with Giti Race-Tuned v1global competition truck tyres in size 315/70R22.5, with feedback from all teams overwhelmingly positive.

Giti then took centre stage in June for a Top Gear special with all three presenters passing their HGV tests before driving across the UK in new DAF, Mercedes and Scania pulling units to Pembrey Race Circuit where Paddy McGuinness then competed a BTRC race in a fully liveried Giti truck.

The programme remains one of the BBC’s flagship entertainment programmes which, according to The Guardian, is watched by over 350 million people in more than 200 countries.

The season itself was no less captivating with Stuart Oliver of Team Oliver racing to 19 podium finishes across all seven meetings, which consist of five races at each circuit, and third place in the overall standings.

With five first places in total, including three at a memorable weekend at Snetterton in September, Oliver amassed 368 points in all, one behind David Jenkins in second and 67off comprehensive champion, Ryan Smith.

Oliver’s final standing was made all the more impressive following a major crash at Donington in August which resulting in the truck hitting a tyre wall at high speed. Thankfully everyone walked away from the accident unscathed and a major rebuild saw him back on the start line just three weeks later.

Three of the 2022 meetings coincided with hugely popular family events Convoy Cymru, Convoy on the Plain and Convoy in the Park which featured a range of trucks, manufacturer and exhibitor displays plus stunt shows, live music and children’s entertainment.

Tony McHugh, TBR Sales and Marketing Director UK at Giti Tire, said: “A key measurement of our BTRC partnership is brand awareness and promotion, so to look back on a year including Top Gear, three hugely well attended Convoy events and other packed race meetings is a huge success.

“To also take the role of Exclusive Tyre Supplier was a major decision and one which the teams embraced once they’d experienced the sheer quality of the Giti Race-Tuned v1 tyres. This has led to more enquiries about the truck and bus portfolio which again is a major part of our investment.”