Pirelli launches GT Cup season

Pirelli has launched its fifth year of partnership with the GT Cup at Brands Hatch. Drivers used Pirelli’s intermediate tyres in damp conditions on the day, using the Indy circuit – the shortest configuration of the track – to test high-speed stability in fast corners such as Paddock Hill Bend and traction coming out of the slow hairpin at Druids. The GT Cup’s first round takes place at Donington Park from 28-29 April.

The competition was represented at the Media Day by Nick Whale’s In2 Racing team, which brought its Porsche 997 GT3 to the circuit. In the dry, the Porsche runs medium-compound Pirelli 315/675-18 DH slicks on the rear and 245/645-18 DM slicks on the front but in the wet conditions of Brands Hatch it used Pirelli’s WH tyres on the rear and WS tyres on the front. Whale completed several laps with a number of journalists as passengers.

GT Cup competition manager Phil Boland said: “After a long winter break, it was great to see some on-track action again. The GT Cup is home to some of the most spectacular racing cars to be seen in Britain, and we’re looking forward to some more thrilling races this year with Pirelli. Even though conditions were difficult at Brands Hatch, the tyres gave the drivers plenty of confidence and it was a very useful day.”
 
Pirelli UK’s motorsport manager Carl Naylor added: “As the world leader in Ultra High Performance tyres, the premium sector – which is made up of similar cars to those represented in the GT Cup Championship – is extremely important to us. That makes our partnership with the GT Cup a perfect fit, and one that race fans all over Britain can enjoy.”

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