2021 DAKAR: BFGoodrich a key player on the Dakar

The American tyre brand, a Dakar partner and official supplier since 2016, boasts 16 victories in the most prestigious of rally-raids. It equips 80% of the 4x4 fleet as well as light vehicles, and sets up the BFGoodrich Dakar Service Centerthroughout the entire race, enabling the competitors to repair and change tyres. Below, we take a look back at the long and rich history of BFGoodrich with the Dakar.

BFGoodrich: innovation at heart
The American brand is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2020. “Since 1870, innovation has always been at the heart of our activity,” underlines Sandrine Combeaux, Head of Southern Europe Business for the tyre-maker. Indeed, it was founded by Benjamin Franklin Goodrich following a fire when this doctor in trade noticed that the firemen were helpless because their leather hose had frozen and cracked. Consequently, he decided to commence manufacturing rubber hoses that would withstand freezing. BFGoodrich thereafter became the first manufacturer of tyres in North America intended for the automobile and aeronautical industries.

A key player in major moments in history and motorsports
BFGoodrich tyres have been present for major moments in history. In 1927, when Charles Lindbergh became the first aviator to cross the Atlantic, his aircraft was fitted with BFGoodrich tyres. This was also the case for the space shuttle Columbia. In sporting terms, it was the first tyre manufacturer to accompany two wins on the legendary Indianapolis 500. BFGoodrich then experienced exceptional development regarding its all-terrain tyres. Its tyres were used for the victories on the Le Mans 24 Hours race (in 1984), at the Baja 1000 (between California and Mexico) more than 20 times, on the Pikes Peak Hill Climb and they have also been the product of preference for several winners in the WRC. The American firm, owned by the Michelin group, can thus point to more than 200 victories in different world championships, making it the manufacturer involved in all-terrain motorsport associated with the largest amount of triumphs in history.

A (very) successful history on the Dakar
The Dakar has not missed out on BFGoodrich’s conquests. The brand was involved in victory for the first time in 1999 on the tracks of Africa with Jean-Louis Schlesser. Thereafter, BFGoodrich enjoyed 11 consecutive successes thanks to Hiroshi Masuoka, Stéphane Peterhansel, Luc Alphand, Giniel de Villiers, Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah… Since 2017, the manufacturer has been present on the wheels of all the podium-placed drivers, as in the most recent edition (with Carlos Sainz, Nasser Al-Attiyahand Stéphane Peterhansel). “In total, the BFGoodrich brand has equipped the winner 16 times on the most renowned and toughest of rally-raids,” explains Sandrine Combeaux, Head of Southern Europe Business. The Michelin group, which owns the American manufacturer and the Michelin brand, has therefore been essential to success on the three continents on which the rally’s previous editions have taken place: in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.