Pirelli Control Tyre for Australian GTP

The Australian Performance Car Championship (GTP) is expected to be a more closely contested competition following the announcement that all cars in the series will be required to race on identical Pirelli “control” tyres. Series Organiser Craig Nayda announced that Pirelli motorsport distributor Trofeo Motorsport has won a tender to provide tyres and event technical support to GTP for the next three seasons.

“The decision to run just one specification of tyre on all the widely-varying production-based touring cars in GTP eliminates a major performance variable and will create much closer racing,” Mr Nayda said. “It ensures our teams benefit both technically and financially, especially those which choose to support the category throughout the year.”

Cars competing in the Outright class will race on Pirelli slick dry-weather or grooved wet-weather tyres, while those in the Privateers Cup class will use road-legal Pirelli P Zero Corsa or P Zero C tyres. A wide range of sizes is available between 16 inch and 19 inch diameters.

As a part of the three-year deal, Outright competitors will receive a 10 per cent discount off the retail price of their tyres, with championship- registered teams receiving a further 10 per cent rebate. Outright cars will be allowed to use up to six new or used slick tyres per round. All Privateers’ Cup entrants will receive a 35 per cent retail discount at the time of purchase, with championship-registered competitors again entitled to an additional 10 per cent. Privateers may use up to four new and one used tyre per round.

The GTP series features the prevalent types of performance cars sold in Australia, including the Holden HSV GTS, Ford Falcon GT and F6 Typhoon, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, Subaru Impreza STi and BMW M3. The championship will run over eight rounds at V8 Supercar events.