Malatesta Tyres, based in Anagni, Italy, part of MAE Industria Gomma, is a well-known retreading company with a rich history dating back to 1946. The company produces retreads for various applications, including trucks, solid tyres, and—most notably—racing cars. Malatesta uses various specialised rubber compounds for motorsport, including soft, hard, and wet types, to meet the demands of competitive racing.
Retreading Success
In 2023, Malatesta began collaborating with Labs Automotive, a company specialising in race car design and driver training. This partnership saw Brazilian-born driver Lucas Scabbia take on the Italian Rallycross Championship in the STC Plus 2000 class. Driving a Peugeot 207 1.6 RS Plus fitted with Malatesta tyres (size 205/45-17 MRX or WRX, depending on the track conditions), Scabbia made his debut in the championship.
The young driver participated in six of the season’s eight races, delivering results worthy of a seasoned champion. He never retired during a race or qualifying session, finishing first in four events, second in one, and fifth in another. Among his victories was a triumph at the Maggiora track, where he mastered challenging conditions during a torrential downpour.
After the season, Scabbia was crowned Italian Champion in the STC Plus 2000 category—an incredible achievement for his debut year.
This story is fantastic news for Scabbia, Malatesta and Labs Automotive, but provides a definitive answer for anyone wondering how good the quality of a retread tyre are. Good enough to with the Italian Rallycross Championship!
