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This weekend’s round of the American Le Mans Series at Road America, Wisconsin, saw another double podium finish for BMW’s Rahal Letterman Lanigan (RLL) Racing Team and its pair of Dunlop equipped BMW M3 GTs.

As a result, drivers Joey Hand and Dirk Muller extend their lead at the top of the GT class championship after a race that saw both Dunlop BMWs leading the field.

During the build up to the race, the team had praised the work of Dunlop in this highly competitive championship where four tyre manufacturers compete against each other in an arena that features entries from Chevrolet, Ferrari, Porsche, Ford and Jaguar – as well as the BMWs that head the field.

In the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), the correct tyre can often be the difference between finishing at the top of the podium or the back of the pack. Because every fraction of a second matters, Dunlop’s development team in Birmingham, England are constantly improving their tyres to remain a step ahead of the competition.

It’s the type of development that requires a team effort –  “Tyres are the only part of your vehicle that touch the ground, so they’re one of the most important components of any racecar,” said Joey Hand, driver of BMW Team RLL’s No. 56 M3 GT.

“That’s why we’re always providing our feedback to Dunlop’s team of engineers. It’s our mission to make sure the car performs better with every race.”

Dunlop has been BMW Team RLL’s technical partner since the launch of the M3 GT program in 2009, and its racing tyres have been credited for helping the team mature and develop into a consistent performer and winner.

Because most ALMS races are lengthy in laps and overall racing time, the teams switch drivers throughout the competition during pit stops. The tyres, especially, must be consistent for long runs, and the Dunlops have been praised by the team for their continuing improvement.

For most consumers, choosing the right set of tyres for their vehicle is a decision they make every three or four years. But for the Dunlop Motorsport team, it’s an everyday job.

“Many people don’t realize the amount of engineering, testing and development that goes into every tyre we send to the track,” said David Meenan, design engineer for Dunlop Motorsport. “We’re in constant communication with our team’s drivers and engineers so we can develop the right tyre for every race.”

Building the ideal tyre for each ALMS race means finding the right balance between performance and longevity – a task that changes with each track. A soft rubber compound will have plenty of grip, but wears faster, while a harder compound lasts longer, but reduces traction.

Developing the right compound is a job that requires an immense amount of research long before race day. Dunlop engineers use a variety of factors to determine which rubber compounds will be used on any given track. Those factors include the composition of the track surface, asphalt temperatures and ambient temperatures.

After tests are conducted, engineers measure the tyre’s temperature, pressure and wear patterns. They also rely on reports from drivers and team engineers to fine-tune their selection. “Dunlop does a great job taking our feedback as drivers and coming back with a tyre that does what we ask it to,” said Hand.

“I’ve never been involved in a program that’s been so good at that. Every week they bring the tyre that works best for that situation.” With three rounds of the championship left to run, the pace of tyre development will increase as the finishing line in this hard fought championship comes into view.