Pirelli British Superbike one make tyre survey

British Superbike and British Supersport will run on Pirelli tyres for the next three seasons. Here’s how it will all work…..

SUPERBIKE:

The minimum assortment available to each rider to be as follows:

Dry front: three different solutions (A–B–C) for a minimum of six each

Dry rear: three different solutions (A-B-C) for a minimum of six each

Intermediate: one solution (front and rear) for a minimum of four sets

Wet: two different solutions (A-B front and rear) for a minimum of six sets

Across the three Free Practices, one Qualifying Practice and the race day warm-up

Tyre use restricted to: six fronts and nine rears. For the race(s), the
number of tyres is unrestricted and provision must be made for competitor’s spare motorcycles, all from within stock purchased at the event.

In the interests of cost control it is proposed to adopt a uniform tyre/wheel
size. Front: 120/70 Rear: 190/65 16.5″. Maximum rim size as stated in the regulations: Front: 4.00” Rear 6.25” For practical and economic considerations and based upon the current known teams preferences the front rim size would be: 3.50” and rear 6.25”.

SUPERSPORT:

The minimum assortment available to each rider to be as follows:

Dry front: two different solutions (A–B) for a minimum of five each.

Dry rear: two different solutions (A-B) for a minimum of five each.

Intermediate: one solution (front and rear) for a minimum of three sets.

Wet: two different solutions (A-B front and rear) for a minimum of five sets.
Across the two Free Practices, two Qualifying Practice and the race day warm-up.

Tyre use restricted to: five fronts and eight rears. For the race, the number of tyres is unrestricted and provision must be made for competitors spare motorcycles, all from within stock purchased at the event.

Tyres must be a fully moulded type carrying all size and sidewall marking of the tyres for commercial sale to the public. The depth of the tyre treads must be at least 2.5 mm over the entire tyre pattern width at a pre-race control.

The tyres must have a positive and negative tread of 96 per cent positive and minimum four per cent negative (land and sea ratio). The maximum distance from the external edge of the tyre to 50 per cent of the tread elements is 35 mm.

One size for the front and two sizes for the rear are allowed. Each size, front and rear, must be available with the same tread pattern as the commercial tyres for the road use.

The manufacturers may only submit one front and rear pattern for approval. The previously approved tyre pattern will remain valid until one year after the introduction of a new approved tyre pattern.

Notwithstanding the regulations, it is proposed to adopt a uniform tyre/wheel rim sizes in order to reflect the production derived status of the class and to promote the best practical and economic situation.

Front: 120/70 Rear: 180/55 17″. Maximum rim size: Front: 3.50” Rear 5.50”
MCRCB will rely on the FIM approved list of tyres valid for the season in question.

Wet weather tyres must be a fully moulded tyre. The use of hand cut tyres is not allowed. Wet weather tyres must be marked “Not for Highway Use” or
“NHS”.

So now you have the facts do you think Pirelli being the simple supplier for British Superbikes and British Supersport is good or bad? Join in our poll below.

For the team and rider reaction, read this week’s issue of MCN, available from Friday, December 28, 2007.