The Direzza DZ101 is Dunlop's Ultra High Performance Summer tire for the drivers of sport compact cars. The Direzza DZ101 shares the Direzza name with Dunlop racing tires used in the Japanese SUPER GT Championship and was developed to provide crisp and responsive handling. The Direzza DZ101 is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice. The Direzza DZ101 features Dunlop's specially formulated Silicarbon Matrix tread compound (combines silica and carbon black) to enhance grip. The compound is molded into a directional tread design featuring rigid shoulder blocks and two wide, straight tread channels with long, oblique grooves to combine responsive handling, stable cornering and hydroplaning resistance. The tire's internal structure includes twin steel belts reinforced by Dunlop's Jointless Band (JLB) spirally wound nylon cord cap ply to stabilize the tread area enhancing tread wear, handling and high-speed capability. A polyester cord body enhances ride quality while Max Flange Shields help resist rim damage due to accidental curbing.