Pirelli Signs Swedish Rally Supply Deal

Pirelli has added another set of supply dates to its famed calendar in a new three-year deal struck with Swedish motorsport, making the Italian giant the exclusive tyre supplier to the Swedish Rally Championship. In signing up for this exclusive supply deal, Pirelli restates its commitment to single tyre competitions, a subject currently debated in Tyrepress.com’s Question of the Month.

Pirelli states in its release that the agreement represents a vindication of the company’s decision to concentrate on the single-tyre philosophy in both racing and rally championships. This direction was set down by the FIA and has been fully supported by Pirelli, which has introduced a range of products designed to offer top performance whilst reducing overall costs: a move that makes sense in the current economic climate.

Alexandre Vermot, worldwide Pirelli Motorsport commercial director stated, “Having won contracts to exclusively supply the FIA WRC and PWRC, as well as the national championships of Argentina, Britain, Codasur and Finland, it’s a huge satisfaction for Pirelli to also be supplying tyres for an important series like the Swedish Rally Championship from 2009 to 2011.

“This choice demonstrates the increasing popularity of the one-make tyre formula, a philosophy with which Pirelli is well acquainted through supplying tyres not only to the FIA WRC but other noteworthy international championships such as Grand Am and World Superbike. The deal we have just struck with the Swedish sporting authorities and rally organisers is a great honour for us, as it demonstrates the faith that important national and international organising bodies have placed in our products. I am sure that our rubber will help the Swedish Rally Championship go from strength to strength in future.

“It’s also true that Pirelli has been associated with Sweden’s top rally stars from every era since the World Rally Championship was created. From Björn Waldegaard to Stig Blomqvist and Kenneth Eriksson, right up to the present day with the Junior World Rally Championship winner Patrik Sandell, Pirelli has always been at the forefront of the development of young Swedish talent, also through the Swedish Rally Championship.”