Portugal’s Camac Tyres has been given a new lease on life, thanks to a €20 million investment from its new owner, Nova Motorsport. The tyre maker’s Santo Tirso factory, near Porto, is undergoing significant refurbishment and upgrades, set to revitalise its legacy in motorsport and specialist tyre manufacturing.
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The factory redevelopment will create over 100 skilled jobs in engineering, technical roles, marketing, and other disciplines, providing a substantial boost to the local economy and fostering new opportunities in the region.
Nova Motorsport, founded in January 2024 by SPC Rubber, has ambitious plans to become an independent leader in premium high-performance and motorsport tyres. Its acquisition of Camac complements an impressive portfolio that includes the global rights to Avon Motorsport Tyres and partnerships with top racing series like the RallyX International Rallycross Championship, the Peter Auto Historic Racing Series, and the British Hillclimb Championship.
James Weekley, Nova Motorsport Commercial Director, emphasised the company’s commitment to excellence:
"We are proud to have employed some of the finest technical experts and engineers in the tyre and motorsport industries. The recommissioning of our manufacturing facility in Portugal, supported by our Global Technical Centre and HQ in England, marks a new chapter in innovation for Camac and Nova Motorsport."
Production of Camac Classic tyres recommenced in October 2024, bringing iconic designs back to life for Europe’s classic car enthusiasts. Models like the 5.90×13 cross-ply tyre, originally introduced in 1969, cater to vintage vehicles such as the Ford Taunus/Cortina Estate and the Opel Rekord, while the 145R10 radial tyre, crucial for maintaining classics like the Austin Mini, also returned to production.
The Santo Tirso facility, now equipped to produce 500,000 tyres annually, benefits from:
The factory’s strategic location within the EU positions it perfectly for serving customers and export markets across Europe and beyond.
Nova Motorsport’s first branded tyre, the ACB11 for rallycross, debuted in August 2024 at the Rallycross RX Loheac event in France. With a strong technical foundation and state-of-the-art facilities, the company is poised to deliver tailored tyre solutions for competition and specialist applications, with a focus on rapid R&D, time-to-market, and customer support.
James Weekley added:
"Our goal is to continually advance tyre technology while maintaining the high standards of quality and performance associated with the Camac and Avon brands. This is just the beginning of an exciting journey."
