Borrachas Vipal tested its products during the Sertões Rally

Different types of terrains, stones, potholes and high speeds. There is no better environment to test the efficiency of retreaded tires.

Vipal, one of the world's leading manufacturer for tire and tube repair products and retreads participated in the latest editions of the International Sertões Rally, the most important off-road competition in Latin America.

During two years in a row Vipal sponsored the Volkswagen Truck Team in the competition, which covered over 7000 Km (~ 4,300 Mi.) using Vipal retreaded tires.

João Carlos Paludo, Vice-President of Vipal declared: “After the success we achieved in 2005 when, for the first time a rally team successfully used retreaded tires during a competition, we decided to innovate during our 2006 presence. Thus, the Volkswagen trucks exclusively used retreaded tires. More than that, not only they used pre-cured treads (also known as cold cure) but also the camelback retread process (also known as hot cure)".

The officer refers to the high tech applied by Vipal to its products, adding performance to safety. Proof of this is that the treads withstood all the typical extreme conditions of this kind of adventure, withstanding the tremendous wear the trucks underwent during the competition, frequently even requiring the replacement of shock absorbers and other components.

The benefits of retreaded tires

More than just displaying the quality and efficiency of its products by competing in the Sertões Rally, Borrachas Vipal intended showing the benefits of retreaded tires. “We know that, after fuel, tires are the major cost factor in transportation. This is why we have invested heavily in technology so as to manufacture products that offer quality as well as safety, thus helping reduce operational costs. Nowadays, tires retreaded with our products allow savings of more than 50% in the cost per driven mile. Reason for this is the cost of a retreaded tire of up to one third of a new tire, keeping the same safety and performance features. Last but not least: a freight commercial tire can be retreaded for as long as its casing allows”, pinpoints João Carlos Paludo.

Tire retreading also is significantly important to environmental conservation.

Apart from saving up to 80% petroleum, when compared to the production of a new tire, retreading tires has become one of the main alternatives to the disposal of countless used tires into the environment. “It is estimated that around two million tires are manufactured worldwide per day thus, the challenge countries are facing is how to create alternatives to prevent used tires from causing environmental damage. And retreading tires is the main alternative”, concludes João Carlos Paludo.