Goodyear Put Fear in my Eyes
Goodyear Put Fear in my Eyes
Table of Contents
Goodyear Put Fear in my Eyes
When Goodyear Flew Me to Luxembourg – And I Met Rally Legend Timo Mäkinen
Over the years I have been fortunate enough to experience many memorable moments in the tyre trade. Looking back now, one of the most exciting things happened during the 1970s when I was invited by Goodyear Tyres to attend a tyre testing event in Luxembourg.
At the time, I had recently started my own business, Kut-Kost Tyres in Batley, Yorkshire. Before that I had worked as depot manager at Tyreservices Huddersfield, a company owned by Goodyear Tyres. I had developed a good relationship with the company and was fortunate enough to receive excellent support from both Goodyear and their subsidiary, Kelly Springfield Tyres.
One day I received an invitation that would become one of the highlights of my career.
Goodyear was launching a new tyre called the Grand Prix X and wanted tyre dealers and managers from around the UK to experience the product firsthand.
There were probably around one hundred of us invited.
The journey itself felt exciting. Goodyear flew us from London Heathrow to Luxembourg, where we would spend time at a famous race circuit watching and participating in tyre demonstrations.
For a young Yorkshire tyre dealer, this was quite an adventure.
Seeing Tyre Development Firsthand: Goodyear Put Fear in my Eyes
When we arrived at the circuit, Goodyear had assembled a fleet of ordinary Vauxhall Cavalier 1600cc saloons.
There was nothing particularly special about the cars.
They were standard family cars, the sort of vehicles you would see on British roads every day.
What was special were the tyres.
Each car was fitted with the new Goodyear Grand Prix X tyres, and the purpose of the day was to demonstrate just how much difference a quality tyre could make.
The plan sounded simple enough.
We would draw lots and then ride around the circuit in the various cars whilst professional drivers demonstrated the tyres’ capabilities.
What could possibly go wrong?
Drawing the Short Straw
As luck would have it, my first driver turned out to be one of the greatest rally drivers of all time.
His name was Timo Mäkinen.
To rally enthusiasts, Timo was already a legend.
The Finnish driver had achieved worldwide fame through his exploits in international rallying, particularly during the 1960s. He became famous for his victories in the Monte Carlo Rally and for his incredible performances driving the Mini Cooper S.
Timo was one of the legendary “Flying Finns”, a group of Finnish drivers who became renowned for their astonishing car control and fearless driving style.
At the time, I knew he was famous.
I just didn’t realise what I was about to experience.
The Ride I Never Forgot: Goodyear Put Fear in my Eyes
The cars lined up and we climbed aboard.
For some reason, whilst most people were happy to sit in the back, I decided to take the front passenger seat.
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
The Vauxhall Cavalier pulled away and quickly gathered speed.
Then it gathered even more speed.
And then even more.
As we approached a chicane and a tight hairpin bend, I became increasingly concerned.
The car wasn’t slowing down.
In fact, it seemed to be going faster.
I remember thinking:
“Surely he must brake soon?”
But Timo had other ideas.
At the very last moment he simply flicked the steering wheel.
The car went sideways at what felt like an impossible speed.
For a few terrifying seconds we appeared to be travelling completely out of control.
Then, as if by magic, the car straightened up and powered away.
I was absolutely terrified.
My eyes shut involuntarily.
I could feel myself trembling.
I genuinely thought I was going to be sick.
How these men drove cars so quickly was beyond my understanding.
The remarkable thing was that these were not racing cars.
They were ordinary Vauxhall Cavaliers fitted with ordinary-looking road tyres.
Yet in the hands of a world-class driver, they seemed capable of impossible things.
By the way, the tyres were changed after each circuit of the track because the drivers had worn them out completely.
A Quick Visit to the Bar
When the session finished, I climbed out of the car feeling rather unsteady.
The other passengers seemed delighted.
I was simply relieved to still be alive!
I headed straight for the bar and treated myself to a quick beer (or three) to steady the nerves.
The organisers offered further opportunities to ride with other drivers throughout the day.
I politely declined.
One ride with Timo Mäkinen had been quite enough excitement for me.
Meeting a True Gentleman: Goodyear Put Fear in my Eyes
The story gets even better.
That evening we all gathered for dinner.
By pure chance, I found myself seated next to Timo Mäkinen.
Despite his fame and achievements, he was friendly, approachable and full of humour.
I eventually confessed just how terrified I had been during our lap of the circuit.
He laughed heartily.
In fact, we spent much of the evening joking about it.
What struck me most was how normal he was.
Here was a world-famous rally driver, yet he treated everyone around him with kindness and respect.
A Reunion Years Later
A few years after the Luxembourg trip, I was fortunate enough to meet Timo again.
What amazed me was that he remembered me.
Not only did he remember me, but he greeted me with a big friendly hug and immediately recalled our conversation about the frightening circuit lap.
That says a great deal about the man.
For someone who had achieved so much in motorsport, he remained down-to-earth and genuinely interested in people.
Lessons That Stayed With Me: Goodyear Put Fear in my Eyes
The whole experience taught me something important.
Tyres are often taken for granted.
Most motorists see them as black rubber rings fitted to a car.
What I learned that day was that tyres are remarkable pieces of engineering.
The difference between an average tyre and a good tyre can be extraordinary.
Combined with a talented driver, they can achieve things that seem impossible.
Nearly fifty years later, I can still picture that Vauxhall Cavalier sliding through the bend.
I can still remember the fear, the excitement and the admiration I felt for Timo Mäkinen’s skill.
It remains one of the highlights of a lifetime spent in the tyre trade.
And every time I hear somebody say that tyres are “just tyres”, I find myself smiling and remembering that unforgettable day in Luxembourg.