British American Racing today announced that it has entered an exclusive shock absorber supply partnership arrangement with Koni, the Dutch-based shock absorber specialist with a worldwide reputation for quality and technical excellence.
Koni manufactures a range of more than 2,500 shock absorbers for motorcycles, cars, trucks, buses, trams, locomotives, and industrial products marketed in over 90 countries.
In addition to serving the automotive replacement market with Koni Special (red), Koni Sport (yellow) and Koni Classic (black) dampers, a growing share of the company's damper production is destined for "original equipment" (OEM) applications with vehicle makers around the world. Renowned manufacturers such as Lamborghini, Lotus (Elise) and Chrysler (Dodge Viper and Prowler) all make use of Koni technology.
The fastest trains in the world, the French TGV, are equipped with Koni shock absorbers, as are subways, buses and locomotives from Amsterdam, London and Paris to Hong Kong, Singapore and China. All the company's shock absorbers feature a unique adjustability system, making them the least expensive dampers per kilometre on the market.
In the motor racing world, vehicle constructors and drivers rely on Koni. The company's list of successes in Formula One, Indy Car/Champ Car, Formula 3000, Formula Three, sports car and touring car competition is extensive. By using the world of racing as a permanent "test bench", Koni is able to transfer the hard-won lessons from this most demanding of environments to its road products, with obvious benefits for the everyday motorist.
In 1999, this famous Dutch manufacturer will be reunited with British American Racing Chief Designer, Malcolm Oastler, and driver, Jacques Villeneuve. The partnership previously combined forces to win the legendary Indianapolis 500 and Indy Car World Series in 1995.
"Koni is delighted to join forces with British American Racing in Formula One," comments Koni Managing Director, Peter van der Wal. "Our company has a very successful history in North America and a long-standing association with Malcolm Oastler and Jacques Villeneuve. Koni looks forward to this 'reunion' of a successful partnership."
Malcolm Oastler echoes these sentiments. "The superior performance of Koni dampers is well known to us. We look forward to a successful racing relationship and welcome Koni's research and development support as a British American Racing technology partner."