Green hell in Finnish, meeting with Mika Hakkinen and test drive new tyres, Nokian Tyres

It was getting dark. Leaden clouds right above my head, seemed infinitely capacious MOP from TV shop, not the couch nineties, push-UPS on mortal earth with jets of cold rain. Gusty wind ruffled wet hair. The British fashion down jacket kept from last forces, and I am very glad that brought sunglasses, because they protect from freezing drizzle at least eyes. Given the title, I think you already beg the question – why to test summer tyres in such conditions?

But Matti Mori, a jovial man with a boring job title of "head of customer support", has all the answers. The fact that such weather conditions help the most to demonstrate the advantages of the new summer tyres of Nokian Tyres Tyres – premium Black 2 and Black 2 SUV, as well as family sports Blue 2 SUV's. What characteristics is it? This resistance to aquaplaning, at the end on slippery and cold roads, including an abundance of irregularities.

To show its new developments in all its glory, a Finnish tire has invited me to the racetrack Ahvenisto, located near the city of Hämeenlinna is the birthplace of composer Jean Sibelius.

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Built in 1967, this nearly three-kilometer race track is considered one of the most extreme, not only in Europe but throughout the world.

Sinuous, with a large difference in height (32 metres for short distances), track Ahvenisto no better pilots than the legendary Green hell of Nordschleife, the Nurburgring.

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Eloquently reminiscent of scratched concrete blocks and mangled metal fences protecting close like a lift in sobyaninskoy the building, turns. Track width ranges from nine to seventeen meters. Length of the main straight, just 280 metres.

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In different years there were competing pilots are the most different series. Formula 2, Formula 3 different touring series, racing, Formula 750.

Due to the abundance of subsoil areas of security and technology srepok, from 1980 to 1999, Ahvenisto successfully passed the European championship on rally-cross.

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In different years there were competing racers. Jochen, Jack Brabham, Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Niki Lauda, Mika Hakkinen, Kimi Raikkonen, Keke Rosberg.

Nowadays, there are national race ring and rally-cross and races of the international championship SMP F4.

Today, the day of the presentation of the tire by Nokian Tyres, on the road nobody but us. The stands are empty. Painted are already peeling paint, the existence and world of old tyres on both sides of the straight road covered with large drops of water that are upside down are reflected on the track speeding cars. But once there the noisy crowd, for example, in 1985, when there were more than 40,000 spectators to watch the race Tähtien kisat – translated "Race of Stars".

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Then between fighting the best racers from various disciplines, on the eve arrived in the land of lakes, deer, salmon, cloudberry and liquorice liqueur on private jets. Nelson Piquet, Keke Rosberg, Timo Salonen, Michelle Mouton and the other stars competed on a virtually standard BMW E28.

The footage of old newsreels coming out of your plane Keke Rosberg look like a rock star or drug Lord. T-shirt, trousers, wide, drooping to the ground mustache, been slipped over her nose is huge dark glasses with a Golden rim, which is not visible to the eye.

The year before that it was the Rosberg – 1982 F1 champion on the Williams FW08C car set an unofficial track record Ahvenisto, not beaten to this day – 1:10:000. The next official record set in September, 2000 — 1:13.226 – achievement Marco Nevalainen on the car, "Formula-3".

The best time for the "body" is held since 2005, when Fredrik ROS Porsche 911 GT3 broke the record of world Champion of F1 Mika Hakinen, also set in the framework of the Porsche Carrera Cup, but the year before.

It is on track Ahvenisto Mika Hakinen taught to ride Captain a Snail in an episode of Top Gear. For the Finnish racer's home track.

What about Nokian Tyres? The fact that the development of new models Mika Hakinen participated as a consultant, and testing took place including on the track Ahvenisto – under a variety of weather conditions.

Full sizeI raced in F1 for ten years and I have a lot of experience with tires. Good and bad, laughs Mika Hakkinen.

The main novelty of Nokian Tyres Hakka Black 2. This tire class UHP, i.e. Ultra High Performance. In other words, to drive fast. And in the presentation of Nokian Tyres for fast driving on slippery, uneven, wet, cold roads.

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Bus is available in 40 sizes from 17 to 21 inches. The speed ratings V (240 km/h), W (270 km/h) and Y (300 km/h). "Crossovery version" Tyres Nokian Hakka Black SUV has 2 reinforced aramid fiber sidewalls. The tire is available in 29 sizes from 17 to 22 inches.

The question of how the new tires will be the case with wear, particularly on the rough Russian roads, especially when driving fast, the Finnish tire manufacturers respond uniquely. Yes, the new tyres a bit more durable, but the factor of wear resistance is not the determining factor in the UHP class. The main task of these tyres is the maximum hitch during acceleration, braking, and cornering. "If you want durability – you can buy the "eternal" plastic tires, but need to understand that their performance will be much worse," — konkretisiert Matti Mori.

In the development of Hakka Black 2 special attention was paid to optimize the contact patch dynamics. For starters, we are talking about improving the drainage of the tread grooves, for which their form and direction was finalized. See cross-notch on the protector? Accelerating in these narrow grooves are conical in shape, the pressurized water is routed to the wide, polished longitudinal grooves, after which is pushed out from the contact patch The Bernoulli principle in action!

Full sizeTop left Black SUV Hakka 2, Hakka Black right 2, down 2 Hakka Blue SUV

But the main thing was to ensure a predictable and logical behavior of the car in various weather conditions to control dry did not differ from the "wet" ride. Moreover, the tread of the new tire provides a more uniform grip, which should also reduce wear.

Interest is itself the process of testing. Beneath the surface of the test track at the factory Nokian Tyres equipped a special laboratory, the ceiling of which there is a special window in tinted filled with an aqueous solution of a rut. Under the window is a high-speed camera that takes snapshots of the contact patch at a speed of 30 000 fps. In these pictures, engineers analyze the behavior of the tyre's aquaplaning, studying and modifying the effectiveness of water drainage from the contact patch.

The effects of area and shape of the contact patch on the hook – and therefore safety — is difficult to overestimate. For example, still legal tyre with a residual tread depth of 1.6 mm at a speed of 125 km / h at the surface is almost not kept.

The use of new multilayer structures also helps to increase the hook at different temperatures, and reduces rolling resistance and fuel consumption compared to previous generation tyres. According to the statements of Nokian Tyres, the model Hakka Black 2 greatly exceeds the Hakka Black on braking performance both on dry and on wet surfaces. Slightly reduced rolling resistance and improved handling on wet roads. While the tests verified the working range of tyres – from zero to plus forty degrees (with the proviso that at zero road must be dry).

As for the SUV version, it is primarily the differences will manifest themselves (again, according to specialists Nokian Tyres) in handling on dry surfaces and in braking in any conditions. All series tires Black 2 as before, it is possible to distinguish by the green label Tyres Nokian on the sidewall, which is now glued more securely (on test bus signboards put haven't so far).

There are changes in the tyre 2 Hakka Blue SUV. As you can tell from the title, it crossovery version presented last spring summer tires. Modified tread pattern with lateral incision and a new hybrid mix of help here to achieve the same things –improved water drainage from the contact patch and reducing rolling resistance, respectively.

On the bus still aramid sidewall. Modified removers stones from the tread – first of all, in order to avoid damage to the structure of the tire, and stuck to the stones (they are in Scandinavia strew the roads instead of salt) didn't break the glass behind leading cars. Another acquisition will be especially important for the Russian market – reinforced shoulder areas there were small lugs.

The tyre Hakka Blue SUV 2 depending on the dimension has a speed rating H (210 km/h) and V (240 km/h). Available in 21 sizes, from 16 to 19 inches.

I have to say, to compare new tires with old opportunities I had. Besides, I'm sure that given the marketing errors, the difference in them will be hard enough to feel. But at the time of arrival at shod in Hakka Black 2 bright red Audi RS4 Avant at the track Ahvenisto the lack of sensations to complain that I had not.

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The track is really narrow and dangerous. Exits from turns – straight into the wall, the security zone is minimal or non-existent.

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Some of the turns combined with the ascent and subsequent descent. Approaching the apex, can only see the top of the oil...

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Add to this pouring rain and four hundred of the force of the atmospheric V8 4.2, and you will understand that to go there quickly — not an easy task.

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The possibility of Hakka tires Black 2 here revealed in full measure – grip for road tyres in the wet is just amazing, that in bends, when braking.

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The second part of the tests were run on public roads. Narrow dlugolecki not suitable for checks of the maximum speed, but it was possible to estimate the grip in the turns and emergency braking.

Full sizeFinns are big fans of technology, so us old-timers on the road a lot

Given the inability to compare not only the competitors ' tires, but even with the previous models, I could only compare the tyre Hakka SUV Black 2 Blue 2 and Hakka SUV's. The difference is really noticeable. With a very similar maximum speed to perform the same extreme exercises on Black 2 from the driver requires less effort.

Full sizeMichael Ryabinin not very happy with the test Touareg – like, not UAZ! But we are even found to find some mud to check the tires Hakka Blue 2 on the ground.

Regardless of the coating and its adhesion coefficient, tire Black 2 behave almost the same, the behavior of the car does not even have to predict. Just "bring down", and not steamed. Braking on a slippery road – with minimal intervention of the ABS. Into the Blue 2 the nuances of the handling felt sharper – on a slippery road can be felt earlier failure in the demolition, as well as increased braking distance.

Deep ruts in order to evaluate the resistance to aquaplaning, I have not heard, but at high speed on the autobahn both tires behaved very decently.

In addition to new tyres, a Finnish tire has demonstrated very interesting setting called SnapScan It consists of a rail installed in front of her camera.

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The driver is required to drive on the ramp, then to the driver via SMS link comes with a detailed status report of all four tires, including wear and tear on the grooves, the remaining groove depth and the predicted change in stopping distance.

Full sizeuse of the system for free. She is able to recognize any of the tire. The camera recognizes the car number and sends the owner an SMS with a link to a special website. If you are wondering how this is implemented, then the answer is simple — in Finland, the numbers of all owners have in common database, it and the connected camera.

This system has been installed at the exit of one of the Parking lots in Helsinki, the use of her absolutely free. "Safety first".

Of course, I did not miss the opportunity to communicate with yourself Mika Hakkinen. And we talked basically all about the same – about security.

What exactly was your contribution to the creation of Hakka tires Black 2?

I conducted a series of tests together with the engineers of Nokian Tyres. While in the car, giving them advice, and directly behind the wheel, performing various test programs. The results I gave feedback based on my expertise and competencies. During the Formula 1 I spent a lot of tests of tires, and can say it is absolutely delightful area of expertise.

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For me it was also very interesting to learn about the key moments in the development of road tyres. Security, here in the first place, because weather conditions can be very different – heat, cold, rain. In Formula 1 used in such cases, different tires. In real life this is not possible – you only have one set of tires. To create a versatile tire that much harder.

I joined the team about half a year ago, and during that time acquired a completely new experience.

What's the secret to safe driving?

It's very simple. Constant concentration on the control of the car – this allows you to keep your distance from other vehicles. Tires must be in good condition. This affects the car's handling and braking. These are key points, so never skimp on this component of the car.

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Behind the wheel you are responsible for the lives of their passengers and the people around. Think about it twice.

What car do you drive every day?

Now to show you. You'll like it! It is these two. That which is right, I bought recently. This Ford Galaxie 1965 – the star of a very popular Finnish TV-show. On the wings under the varnish you can see the autographs of all the characters of the show.

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The second car is fantastic. It's a prototype McLaren P1. These machines only 7 or 10 in the world. Great car to drive child to school. It is a Grand privilege for me to have the car. I don't like to brag, but since you asked...

What are you doing now, after retiring from Motorsport?

Besides the fact that I used his racing experience and knowledge, helping to improve the vehicles and their components, I'm busy doing my own project, which is still not broadly publicized. It is a social network INZDR (application is available), which will be provided to participants monetization opportunity.

For example, in his account I can lay out as a public, free content, and something unique, text, photo or video. I think it is possible to earn. This social network can be successfully used in a variety of publications and charitable organizations. The payment system we have works very well.

You were in Russia. How do you like Moscow traffic?

Well what can I say. People just go on their work. An hour or two. I have no idea how to solve this problem.

What about public transport? In Monaco they use?

Sometimes. But I would not say that often.

What would you like to convey to readers Drive2.ru?

Driving conditions in Russia something similar to Finnish. A large temperature difference. The day can be wonderful weather, and in the night the icy road. With this in mind, it is especially important to take a responsible attitude to driving.

A simple example. When I was involved in Formula 1, I signed the license, which explicitly says racing is dangerous. Of course, Formula 1 threat. But the ride on normal roads – too dangerous! Therefore, as in racing, you have to consider many factors. Tire condition, your own condition. You have to consider other drivers.

With age when crossing the street I make not one, but two ways of looking at the roadway, if you notice the approaching car. And it's the same story as the control of the vehicle. Safety should be first, and then the drivers ' ambition and fun.

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Text and photo by Artem Achkasov, especially for Drive2.ru