New Pirelli P Zero RA5A asphalt tyre debuts at Rally Islas Canarias

Pirelli has introduced a new hard-compound asphalt rally tyre ahead of the 12-14 May Rally Islas Canarias, round three of the FIA ​​European Rally Championship. The P Zero RA5A is an evolution of the RA5, fitted by many winners in the continental series over the last three years. The new tyre will be available to Pirelli-equipped drivers including Spaniard Nil Solans, who returns to the ERC in a Volkswagen Polo Rally2 after his victory in the opening round in Fafe.

Pirelli’s new product for dry and abrasive asphalt features a renewed tread compound and a new construction, with the aim of providing better performance, less wear and reliability in the most difficult conditions and in the longest stages, even in high temperatures.

Completing the range of Pirelli tyres selected for the Gran Canaria event – which is characterised by abrasive roads made partly from volcanic lava – are the P Zero RA7B medium, RA7+B soft and RA9 supersoft, as well as the Cinturato RWB for wet weather.

Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli’s rally activity manager, commented: “After three years of success, the reliable P Zero RA5 is replaced by the RA5A which, thanks to the new technologies developed by our research and development team, will offer greater performance and less wear. The experience we have also gained in the WRC has been invaluable for the evolution of our asphalt rubber, with conditions that are generally more extreme than in the European and national championships, with longer specials and more aggressive surfaces.”

Rally Islas Canarias, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, also marks the start of the FIA ​​Junior ERC, for which Pirelli is the sole supplier. Round one will be contested between 14 young drivers – all aged 27 or under and behind the wheel of Rally4 cars.