Dunlop to tackle Far, Middle East challenges in last 18 hours of 2017 World Endurance

Dunlop is preparing for the final three World Endurance Championship events of 2017, with 6 Hour races in Fuji, Shanghai, and Bahrain. In LMP2, the teams will have the medium and medium-plus options for the remaining three rounds. Although the class is open in terms of tyre competition, all teams have chosen to compete on Dunlop tyres. Tyre choice in the GTE class will vary across the three available compounds depending on manufacturer and track. This is the first year with the GTE Pro class tyre restrictions in place which necessitates double stinting, and combined with the extreme conditions of the final three tracks, will make set-ups particularly critical.

In LMP2 three teams are currently ahead of the rest, #38 Jackie Chan DC Racing, #31 Vaillante Rebellion and #36 Signatech Alpine Matmut, but a further four still have a mathematical chance of winning the championship.

LMP2 tyre specifications for each event are as follows:

• 6 Hours of Fuji at Fuji International Speedway (15 October): medium & medium-plus options
• 6 Hours of Shanghai at Shanghai International Circuit (5 November): medium & medium-plus options
• 6 Hours of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit (18 November): medium & medium-plus options

After taking wins at Le Mans and in Mexico, the Aston Martin GTE Pro squads will be looking to add to the win record. The sister Aston Martin Vantage currently tops the GTE Am class standings with the fellow Dunlop-shod Dempsey-Proton Porsche 911 just four points behind in second. Their main rival is only a further two points away so Fuji will be a critical race in the title battle.