Goodyear to celebrate 125 years of heritage at WEC 6 Hours of Monza
The celebration of Goodyear’s rich history in motorsport and transportation will feature the appearance of the company’s historic branding.
Next weekend, the FIA World Endurance Championship heads to Monza for the fifth round of the season. In fitting fashion, Goodyear is set to highlight its 125th anniversary with a very special rebranding at the historic Italian circuit, bringing back the first iteration of its Wingfoot logo. The Wingfoot has since become the inspiration for Goodyear’s Wingfoot Award, given to drivers who demonstrate peerless performance and consistency.
Since The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1898, it has gone on to play an intrinsic role in the history of motorsport, with the most number of Formula 1 victories, Le Mans wins1, and the longest-standing partner and sponsor in NASCAR history. Learn more about Goodyear’s history with the new ''Goodyear: 125 Years in Motion'' docuseries now streaming on YouTube.
Goodyear has recently renewed its commitment to international endurance racing with the eagerly-anticipated addition of LMGT3 to WEC in 2024, where it will be the exclusive tire supplier to the category.
“Goodyear will look a bit different at Monza”
The usual branding that adorns the tire sidewall and trackside decoration will, for the Monza weekend, be replaced by Goodyear’s first Wingfoot logo, originally created in 1898. The occasion is part of a number of celebrations across the world as Goodyear enters its 125th year.
The Monza circuit, which also is steeped in history, is the oldest venue on the current WEC calendar, first holding a motor race in 1922. In April, Goodyear underwent similar retro rebranding for NASCAR’s Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway. In Europe, it will do so again at NLS5 at the Nürburgring on the same day as Monza, and the Donington Park round of the British Touring Car Championship in August.
The Wingfoot icon can be traced back to the days of Greek mythology. Mercury was the messenger of the gods, whose image inspired Goodyear’s co-founder Frank Seiberling, who suggested it would be a fitting company emblem.
Today, the modern iteration of the Wingfoot is synonymous with Goodyear, representing how the brand has driven forward a host of technological advancements and continues to do so today.
The Wingfoot Award, given to the LMP2 driver at each WEC race with the fastest average lap time over consecutive stints, embodies this theme. At Le Mans, the number 48 Idec Sport in the hands of Paul-Loup Chatin set an average lap time of 3m38.498s, over six tenths quicker than eventual LMP2 class winner Albert Costa in the #34 Inter Europol car.
“It’s safe to say Goodyear will look a bit different at Monza,” enthuses Ben Crawley, Goodyear EMEA Motorsport Director. “Changes to the sidewall and trackside branding will bring a strong flavour of Goodyear’s heritage to the circuit. We’re immensely proud of the Goodyear legacy in motorsport and this is a reflection of the time spent at the very top of the sport. Every member of the Goodyear family has played a part in our success and I’m excited to see what the future holds.
(1) Including Goodyear brands Dunlop and Avon.
Goodyear 125th anniversary celebratory docuseries
Watch Goodyear: 125 Years In Motion - On The Right Track: Brands, Icons & Racing.
Goodyear has been a renowned name in the industry since its inception 125 years ago. From Charles Goodyear’s discovery of vulcanization of rubber to the Wingfoot logo, Goodyear has achieved several milestones. Learn about the history of Goodyear and its iconic brands, icons, and racing. Find out how Henry Ford’s request for Goodyear tires to race ignited the company’s entry into motorsports, and learn how Goodyear’s involvement in racing has not only been a proving ground for existing tires, but has also provided a unique point of difference for the brand. Get to know Goodyear’s extended family of brands, such as Kelly, Dunlop, Fulda, Debica and Sava, and hear about the iconic images associated with Goodyear, like the Wingfoot Express, Clock Tower, and the famous Goodyear Blimp.
About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 74,000 people and manufactures its products in 57 facilities in 23 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.