Bridgestone: Asymmetric Rear Slicks for Le Mans MotoGP

Bridgestone will provide riders at MotoGP’s French Grand Prix with an asymmetric rear option for the first time in the 2010 season. The tyre supplier says the move is made in response to calls from riders during 2009 for greater use of the multi-compound slicks; while the same asymmetric specifications are available as last year (medium, hard and extra hard), they each boast a wider temperature operating range by incorporating the company’s improved soft and medium compound rubber, which makes them suitable for a greater number of Grands Prix. The rear slick tyre option in Le Mans combines soft compound rubber in the left shoulder with medium compound rubber in the right.

Hiroshi Yamada, manager of Bridgestone’s Motorsport Department states: “Race day at the French Grand Prix has been affected by rain every year since 2005, so it seems reasonable to expect more this year. In contrast to last season though, we haven’t had a wet session since the first Sepang test at the start of February. Rain-interrupted races often produce unpredictable results, like Marco’s fantastic ride to second position in France last year, so I am looking forward to what I’m sure will be another exciting battle at Le Mans.” Last year the race started wet but a dry line soon emerged, leading to a crucial decision for each rider as to how long to push their wet tyre tyres on a drying track and when to scramble into the pits to change to their dry bikes. In the end it was Jorge Lorenzo and the Fiat Yamaha Team who emerged victorious, ahead of Hayate Racing’s Marco Melandri and Dani Pedrosa of the Repsol Honda squad.

Tohru Ubukata, manager of the manufacturer’s Motorcycle Tyre Development Department says of the circuit: “Le Mans is a slippery and smooth circuit and run at a time of year when the track temperature is low, so softer compound tyres are required to generate good grip. The circuit has quite a stop-and-go nature which can bunch the field, although the last part of the lap is high speed and requires absolute confidence and commitment. The lateral loads placed on the tyres are relatively low, but good stability from the front tyre under braking is crucial. 

“The circuit has an asymmetric layout that uses the right shoulders harder than the left, especially on the exit of turn nine, so Le Mans is the first circuit that we are bringing asymmetric rear tyres to this year, in the form of the medium spec only. The soft spec rear tyre comprises soft compound rubber in both shoulders; the same as we used in Jerez. 

“The weather has historically been very unstable at Le Mans which of course has a significant impact upon bike settings and tyre choice. Our wet tyre compounds remain exactly the same as last year, and again we will bring the soft spec to France, so at least the manufacturers will already have setup data for this situation.”