Ultimate protection on the racing journey: Michelin joins hands with CTCC to forge the pinnacle of competition

When it comes to motorsport, people's attention often first focuses on meticulously crafted battle cars, powerful engines, intricate aerodynamic designs, and the drivers' impressive driving skills. However, when focusing on these dazzling elements, the importance of tires is easily overlooked.

As the only component that comes into contact between the car and the track surface, the tires are the foundation of a car's grip. No matter how powerful the car's power, how excellent its handling or aerodynamic design, it relies on tires to translate performance into speed.

As the long-term official tire partner of the CTCC-TCR China Series, Michelin has always provided stable and efficient performance assurance with high-quality, high-performance tires and comprehensive technical support, continuously contributing to the improvement of competition levels and professional operations, contributing to the inheritance and development of CTCC and Chinese motorsport culture.

Since the 2019 season, Michelin has been the official tire partner of CTCC, providing pioneering technology products for the major categories of the TCR China Series and playing a key role in CTCC's racing technology upgrades. In the 2024 season, Michelin will be featured at CTCC· The TCR China Series made its global debut with the brand-new Pilot Sport CUP T racing tires specially designed for TCR racing, further demonstrating its support for CTCC.

Optimized specifically for Chinese TCR racing

CTCC· The competition and excitement of the TCR China Championship have long been internationally leading. The Michelin Pilot Sport CUP T tire has undergone multiple optimizations for Chinese circuits during its development and testing. Together with major domestic TCR teams, it underwent rigorous testing under extreme heat conditions on summer tracks. Michelin Pilot Sport CUP T racing tires better adapt to the complex and ever-changing conditions of Chinese circuits, providing strong support for drivers to fully showcase their abilities and set new records.

Three core technology upgrades: Michelin technology empowers track performance

The Michelin Pilot Sport CUP T racing tire is equipped with three core technological upgrades: "Dynamic Response," "Track Longetivity 2.0," and "Warm-Up," achieving breakthroughs in all aspects and setting the benchmark in collaboration with CTCC.

Dynamic response technology provides more precise steering input, helping drivers perceive vehicle dynamics more accurately and achieve faster steering and a more stable driving experience on the track. The new generation of endurance racing technology ensures consistent tire performance in both sprint and endurance races through comprehensively optimized tire formulas, delivering better lap time stability. The new compound compound used in the heating technology enables tires to reach their ideal operating temperature faster, providing faster response and more stable performance, so they can perform at their best immediately at the start of the race.

In a flash, record breaks repeatedly

From the spring opening to the winter finale, from the coastal shores to the inland hinterlands, the CTCC schedule spans long seasons and vast territories. In this ever-changing racing landscape, Michelin tires confidently tackle the harsh challenges of various weather and track surfaces with outstanding performance, providing a solid guarantee for every driver to strive for excellence. Since adopting Michelin Pilot Sport CUP T race tires, CTCC cars have broken previous lap records on many top circuits nationwide.

In its debut 2024 season, the Michelin Pilot Sport CUP T helped top riders set new TCR lap records at Hunan International Circuit, Shanghai International Circuit, Zhejiang International Circuit, and Heilongjiang Daqing Racing Town.

Hunan International Circuit

Xie Xinzhe, driving the Honda Civic TYPE R FL5 TCR, pushed the TCR lap record at Hunan International Circuit to 1:43.002.

Zhejiang International Circuit

Driving the Lynk & Co 03 TCR, Zhang Zhiqiang set the TCR lap record at Zhejiang International Circuit at 1:32.520.

Daqing Racing Town, Heilongjiang

During the competition week of the "4th China Auto and Motorcycle Sports Conference," Liu Zichen set a TCR track record of 1:29.383 at Daqing Racing Town.

The 2025 season will kick off the CTCC season opener in Jiading, Shanghai. Supported by Michelin Pilot Sport CUP T race tires, the elite drivers of the TCR China Championship once again pushed their limits when facing the challenge at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Shanghai International Circuit

Zhang Zhendong drove a Hyundai Elantra N TCR to set a benchmark lap time of 2:08.769, further breaking the TCR lap record at the Shanghai International Circuit—the temple of Chinese racing speed. This result is over 5 seconds higher than last season's TCR record, fully showcasing the extraordinary quality of Michelin tires.

Ordos International Circuit

Driving the Lynk & Co 03 TCR, Zhang Zhiqiang set a new TCR lap record at the Ordos International Circuit with a time of 1:49.084.

Setting faster lap times is only the first step for the Michelin Pilot Sport CUP T to elevate CTCC events to a higher level. While maintaining extreme grip, they also maintain excellent lap speed consistency and endurance in long-distance, high-intensity races, allowing CTCC riders to keep up their high-speed competitive state and create more exciting offense and defense for the race. Relying on excellent tire management and the sustained output of Michelin tires, dramatic comebacks frequently unfolded in the final stages of the race.

Professional system provides full-process support

For Michelin, the weekend brings not only tire products but, more importantly, a comprehensive event support system. During the race, the Michelin technical team was always present, providing technical support to each team such as tire pressure and lean angle settings, temperature analysis, usage standards, and data statistics. Michelin ensures that every team completes races safely and efficiently according to unified standards through a professional service system covering the entire race weekend.

At the same time, leveraging its extensive experience accumulated from long-term participation in world-class events, Michelin continues to introduce international event operation concepts to China, helping CTCC improve technical specifications and competition standards, and promoting the overall professionalism of the event.

Deep participation, advancing hand in hand

Michelin's support for CTCC has long gone beyond its role as a tire supplier for racing tires, becoming more fully integrated into the development of the racing system. For the 2026 season, Michelin has specially established two major awards: the Michelin Racing Star and the Michelin Pole Position, motivating drivers to continuously push their limits and pursue outstanding performance through concrete actions.

Among them, the Michelin Racing Star Award will be given to the top-performing new driver of the TCR China Championship after each round's final, encouraging young talent to bravely challenge and grow rapidly on the high-level competitive stage; The Michelin Pole Position Award will be given to the qualifying pole winner at each stage, honoring their lap speed and driving control to the pinnacle. These two awards not only recognize drivers' competitive performances but also reflect Michelin's long-term commitment to cultivating racing talent in China and promoting the sustainable development of Chinese motorsport.

Off the track, Michelin is also deeply involved in CTCC event operations, continuously promoting the spread and popularization of racing culture. Michelin created a brand interactive experience zone in the event trade zone, offering rich brand displays, fun interactive games, and exquisite merchandise to engage closely with the audience, allowing more fans to experience the unique charm of motorsport.

The rich and diverse interactive experiences not only added more exciting content to the CTCC race weekend but also further bridged the gap between the event and its fans, injecting sustained vitality into the promotion and development of Chinese racing culture.

From advanced tire technology to professional service and event support, Michelin has always been determined to inject strong momentum into the development of CTCC and Chinese motorsports. As CTCC continues to reach higher levels, Michelin will continue to work hand in hand with the event, writing a new chapter in Chinese motorsport with every corner, every acceleration, and every lap breakthrough.