Just like Bridgestone who is one of the two official tyre suppliers in Formula 1, Firestone is the official tyre supplier to the highly popular Indy Racing League and Champ Car race series in the United States of America. Incidentally, both Bridgestone and Firestone belong to the same Tokyo-based parent company Bridgestone Corporation.

As such, Wide Oval is an apt name for the latest high performance tyre from the Firestone's Firehawk series of tyres. It features the UNI-T technology, which supposedly enables the tyres to deliver both comfort and handling along with improved wear and fuel economy. Depending on its country of manufacture, the Wide Oval can be had in two different rubber compounds, both reinforced with silica. For this tyre review, the test tyres are manufactured in Thailand - meaning that the rubber compound and sidewalls are slightly harder and stiffer respectively, compared to those tyres manufactured in Japan.

The symmetrical and unidirectional tread pattern of the Wide Oval promises responsive handling and traction, while the three deep circumferential grooves, coupled with the numerous lateral grooves, looks to provide aquaplaning resistance.

The Wide Oval needs at least 300km to bed in. Being of a high performance variant, the feel through the steering wheel is modest, while the turn-in is less than sharp. The dry traction is more than sufficient for just about every driver, gripping the road surfaces well in spirited cornering despite the muted protests. Directional stability is just as good, with decent dry braking performance.

In the wet, the silica-reinforced rubber compound of the Wide Oval proves its mettle, cutting through puddles with authority at highway speeds, with nary a hint of aquaplaning coming through the helm. Handling remains as almost as responsive as in the rest, while the grip level stays admirably high. The only downside is its braking performance in the wet.

Notwithstanding its harder rubber compound and stiffer sidewalls, the Wide Oval generates very little road and tyre noise for a high performance tyre - thanks to its small-block tread pattern, yet remaining surprisingly compliant.

On the whole, the Firehawk Wide Oval from Firestone has proved itself to be a capable performer not just in the dry but also in the wet, at the same time, providing a docile and quiet ride.

Test tyres are courtesy of Binter & Co. Pte. Ltd.

1. Three circumferential grooves ensures excellent aquaplaning resistance

2. Numerous lateral grooves allows for efficient water evacuation

3. Twin steel belts reinforced with nylon ply provide strength and high-speed stability