Goodyear Ultagrip Tyres
Goodyear Ultagrip Tyres
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Goodyear Ultagrip Tyres
Goodyear UltraGrip Tyres – Winter Safety You Can Trust in Halifax and Calderdale
When people ask me which winter tyres I would recommend after more than fifty years in the tyre trade, one name always comes to mind – Goodyear UltraGrip.
That probably won’t surprise anyone who knows my background. Before opening Pellon Tyres, I spent several years working for Goodyear, managing some of their retail tyre depots. It gave me a tremendous respect for the company and the amount of research and development that goes into every tyre they produce.
Over the years I have watched tyre technology advance beyond recognition, but one thing has remained constant. Goodyear has always been at the forefront of innovation, particularly when it comes to winter driving.
For motorists travelling around Halifax, Calderdale and the surrounding Pennine roads, the Goodyear UltraGrip range continues to be one of the finest winter tyre choices available.
My Own Goodyear Rally Memories: Goodyear Ultagrip Tyres
One of my fondest memories from my time with Goodyear was becoming involved with rallying. I was manager of the Goodyear Tyre Services depot in Huddersfield before later moving to manage their Halifax branch here in Yorkshire. It was an exciting time to work for the company because Goodyear was heavily involved in British rallying, and I was fortunate enough to play a small part in it.
As I’ve mentioned many times over the years, we sponsored a talented lady rally driver called Krissy Ashford. She competed in a beautifully prepared Ford Escort Mk2, wearing the famous blue and white TyreServices colours. TyreServices was owned by Goodyear, so naturally we looked after the tyres throughout the rallies.
We worked from a huge Goodyear service truck that was fully equipped with tyre-fitting machines, compressors and everything else we needed to support the rally team. Before each event, we built up complete wheel and tyre assemblies at our Huddersfield depot so they were ready to fit at a moment’s notice.
If my memory serves me correctly, the Goodyear UltraGrip rally tyres were available in both slick and gravel tread patterns, allowing us to choose the best tyre depending on the stage conditions. During those years, the original Mini was still proving just how competitive it could be in rallying, and many of them ran on specially developed 13-inch Goodyear Rally Special tyres supplied by Goodyear.
It was always freezing cold because many of the rallies took place during the winter months, but none of us cared.
The atmosphere was fantastic. There was nothing quite like standing in a forest service area surrounded by the sound of high-revving engines, the smell of hot brakes and exhaust fumes, and watching the mechanics work against the clock as rally cars arrived covered in mud and snow.
I always had a soft spot for the Minis. Many competed on 145 x 10 Goodyear UltraGrip tyres, and they performed remarkably well on both forest stages and tarmac. In fact, I remember one driver telling me that he actually preferred the UltraGrip tyres to the wider 165/70 x 10 Goodyear Rally Specials because they gave him greater confidence on slippery stages.
Of course, Goodyear wasn’t the only company involved in rallying during those days. We also saw plenty of Dunlop SP3 tyres, while Avon later introduced its Arctic Steel radial, which also earned an excellent reputation. It was a wonderful period in British motorsport, and I still look back on those days with great affection. Being part of the Goodyear rally support team remains one of the highlights of my career in the tyre industry.
Why Winter Tyres Still Matter: Goodyear Ultagrip Tyres
Every year we hear the same question.
“Do I really need winter tyres in Yorkshire?”
My answer is usually another question.
“Have you ever tried driving up one of Halifax’s steep hills after a heavy snowfall?”
Anyone who has experienced winter around Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge or Ripponden knows just how quickly road conditions can change.
One minute the roads are simply wet.
The next they’re covered with slush, snow or black ice.
This is exactly where winter tyres make a huge difference.
Unlike ordinary summer tyres, winter tyres remain flexible in low temperatures. Their specially developed rubber compounds continue gripping the road long after standard tyres begin to harden.
The Story Behind UltraGrip
Goodyear first introduced the UltraGrip name many years ago, and it quickly became one of Europe’s most respected winter tyre ranges.
Much of the technology was developed through extensive winter testing and the company’s long involvement in international motorsport.
The tread design has continually evolved over the years, improving braking, steering precision and traction on snow-covered roads.
Today’s UltraGrip tyres bear little resemblance to the originals.
Every new generation builds upon decades of research and real-world testing.
Designed for Modern British Winters: Goodyear Ultagrip Tyres
Many people imagine winter tyres are only useful in deep snow.
That simply isn’t true.
The biggest advantage often comes on cold, damp mornings when temperatures fall below around 7°C.
This is when ordinary summer tyres begin to lose flexibility.
The UltraGrip compound remains softer, allowing the tyre to maintain better contact with the road surface.
Whether you’re driving to work around Calderdale or setting off early for a trip into the Yorkshire Dales, that extra grip can make all the difference.
Outstanding Wet Weather Performance
Britain receives far more rain than snow.
Fortunately, the UltraGrip range performs exceptionally well in wet conditions too.
Wide circumferential grooves quickly disperse standing water, helping reduce the risk of aquaplaning.
This technology has been one of Goodyear’s greatest strengths for decades.
I still remember when the famous Grand Prix X tyres introduced many motorists to the word “aquaplaning” back in the 1970s.
Since then, Goodyear has continually refined its tread designs to improve wet-weather safety.
Excellent Braking on Snow: Goodyear Ultagrip Tyres
One area where the UltraGrip really excels is braking.
The tread contains thousands of tiny biting edges known as sipes.
These small cuts open as the tyre rotates, allowing it to grip snow and ice far more effectively than a conventional tyre.
The result is shorter stopping distances and improved control when braking on slippery surfaces.
Anyone who has driven across the Pennines during winter will appreciate how valuable that can be.
Comfort and Low Noise
Years ago, many winter tyres produced noticeable road noise.
Modern UltraGrip tyres are very different.
Advanced tread block sequencing helps reduce vibration while maintaining excellent stability at motorway speeds.
Many customers are pleasantly surprised by just how refined they feel during everyday driving.
Ideal for Modern Cars: Goodyear Ultagrip Tyres
The latest UltraGrip range covers a huge variety of vehicles.
Whether you drive:
- A small hatchback
- A family saloon
- A large SUV
- A premium executive car
- Or even an electric vehicle
There is likely to be an UltraGrip model designed specifically for your vehicle.
Goodyear has also developed winter tyres suitable for the additional weight and instant torque produced by modern electric vehicles.
Built on Over 125 Years of Experience
Goodyear has never stopped investing in tyre technology.
From Charles Goodyear’s discovery of vulcanised rubber through to today’s sustainable materials and intelligent tyre technology, the company has consistently remained amongst the industry’s leading innovators.
Research now includes:
- Sustainable raw materials.
- Lower rolling resistance.
- Reduced road noise.
- Improved fuel efficiency.
- Tyres developed specifically for electric vehicles.
All of these advances eventually find their way into products like the UltraGrip range.
Why We Recommend UltraGrip at Pellon Tyres
At Pellon Tyres, we have fitted winter tyres for many years.
One thing we’ve learnt is that there is no single tyre suitable for every driver.
However, the Goodyear UltraGrip range has consistently delivered outstanding performance.
Customers frequently return asking for exactly the same tyres because they remember how well they performed during previous winters.
That is perhaps the best recommendation any tyre can receive.
Ready for Whatever a Yorkshire Winter Brings: Goodyear Ultagrip Tyres
Yorkshire weather has always been unpredictable.
Heavy rain.
Frost.
Snow.
Slush.
Ice.
Sometimes all within the same week.
The Goodyear UltraGrip range has been developed specifically to deal with these constantly changing conditions.
If you’re planning winter journeys around Halifax, Calderdale or further afield, fitting the correct tyres before the bad weather arrives could be one of the best investments you make.
At Pellon Tyres, we’ll always be happy to discuss whether winter tyres are the right choice for your vehicle.
After all, keeping our customers safe has always been just as important as fitting the tyres themselves.