Pirelli extends GT Cup tyre supply contract

Pirelli has confirmed that it will be the only tyre supplier to the GT Cup Championship until at least 2014. Pirelli UK met with championship organisers Bute Motorsport at Pirelli’s Didcot base last week to discuss the terms of the contract. Pirelli UK Motorsport’s operation manager Matthew Corby said: “The GT Cup Championship is home to some of the most spectacular racing cars in British motorsport, and we are delighted to continue our partnership with this prestigious series. The opening two rounds have proved very exciting and with the new regulations introduced for 2012, I look forward to watching the series grow from strength to strength.”

GT Cup Championship organiser Marc Haynes said: “I am delighted the GT Cup Championship will continue its association with Pirelli for another three years. The Pirelli brand is legendary and with the current experience they have supplying tyres to the top rank of motorsport from Formula One to FIA GT, we benefit enormously from their expertise. The level of technical and paddock support is first class and this is great news for the future stability of the championship for another three years.”

This year’s series consists of 23 races over eight rounds, taking place at Britain’s most famous race circuits including Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Donington Park. Rounds either consist of one qualifying session followed by three sprint races over two days, or a qualifying session followed by two races on a single day, with each race expected to last between 20 and 30 minutes.

This year has seen the introduction of GT3 homologated cars for the first time, allowing for a wider variety of cars to compete. The tyre supplier has supplied a wide range of different tyre sizes as a result. Pirelli has supplied slick DM and DH specification and wet WS and WH compound tyres since 2010.

The third round of this year’s GT Cup Championship will take place at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit next month (16-17 June).