Goodyear is ready for the fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship season, as Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas hosts the Lone Star Le Mans this weekend. As the exclusive tire supplier to the category, every LMGT3 car will compete on Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium tires during Sunday’s six-hour race.
The Eagle Medium’s broad operating window and proven consistency across a wide range of temperatures and conditions make it well suited to the demands of COTA, a circuit known for both its high-speed corners and abrasive surface.
The choice of the Eagle Medium represents a change from last year, when Goodyear nominated its Eagle Hard compound for the Lone Star Le Mans.
LMGT3 drivers face one of the most varied and technically demanding circuits on the calendar this weekend. Like Interlagos last time out, COTA is an anti-clockwise track. It is famed for its dramatic 135-foot climb into Turn 1, followed by a sequence of sweeping, fast corners. The lap ends with a series of complex technical corners, requiring a perfect blend of agility and driving skill.
One key storyline heading into the weekend is the #33 Corvette, which arrives in Austin atop the LMGT3 standings. The program is run by the UK-based TF Sport team, but Lone Star Le Mans represents a home event for the iconic American brand.
High track and ambient temperatures, combined with the circuit’s abrasive surface, are expected to make tire management an influential factor in Sunday’s race. Goodyear anticipates teams will favour single-stint strategies, maximising performance from each set of tires rather than pursuing multi-stint strategies.
“Lone Star Le Mans is always one of the toughest races of the season for tires,” said Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Program Manager. “We expect very high temperatures which, combined with the abrasive surface, places huge demands on drivers and tires alike. Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium tires are built to last the equivalent of more than two F1 Grands Prix across a wide range of temperatures, so we are confident that they will deliver excellent performance.
“With the expected degradation, single stints are the most likely strategy, although some teams may try to double-stint left-side tires depending on how they choose to manage the degradation over six hours.”
Teams also have access to the Goodyear Racing Eagle Wet tire in case of inclement weather. This wet weather tire is visible by its blue sidewall stickers, and has a tread pattern designed to disperse surface water.
Bickley added: “Last year’s Lone Star Le Mans proved just how unpredictable weather can be at COTA, with changing conditions leading to a dramatic rain-affected race finish. The #95 United Autosports McLaren team claimed its maiden LMGT3 victory on Goodyear Racing Eagle slick tires, making the most of a drying track and making up time against other teams that had opted for wets.”
Goodyear Racing Eagle tires are also in action this weekend in the NASCAR races at Darlington Raceway, in the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, and in the British Touring Car Championship at Croft Circuit.
