Alex Lowes and Shane Byrne left Silverstone with only a point separating them in the MCE British Superbike Championship going into the Brands Hatch finale. Pirelli, the tyre supplier of the series, declared itself particularly pleased with the longevity of the new for 2013 Diablo Superbike SC1 rear soft tyre during the weekend, while anticipating an exciting final round on 18-20 October.
The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship is set for the first ‘triple-header’ of the season this weekend as the paddock returns to Oulton Park in Cheshire for the second time this season, and with showers forecast the Pirelli Diablo Rain tyre may get its first 2013 in-race use. The weekend also sees races from the both the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 and 600 Championships and the Ducati TriOptions 848 Challenge taking place, with every competitor using the Diablo Supercorsa SC V2 control tyre.
Pirelli has identified last month’s successful introduction of its new Diablo Superbike SC1 rear tyre at Knockhill as an important factor for the MCE British Superbike Championship’s return to Snetterton. The high speed circuit, combined with the possibility of high track temperatures will make the softer compound tyre a popular choice, according to the series tyre supplier. A test held at the circuit last week provided Pirelli with good feedback as most teams sampled race simulations for tyre wear.
Pirelli has launched a promotion to British Superbike fans. Riders can benefit from a new money off promotion on the Angel GT. Racegoers visiting their local tyre store can hand over their 2013 MCE British Superbike Championship ticket to get £26 off a set of the tyre. The offer runs throughout the 2013 MCE BSB Championship, finishing on 31 October 2013 to cover all 12-round races.
Tyre supplier to the MCE British Superbike Championship, Pirelli has forecast an easy weekend on its tyres as the championship visits the picturesque Oulton Park circuit. Back to back weekends at Brands Hatch and Thruxton have seen Pirelli’s slick and Diablo Rain tyres used with the changing weather. Pirelli has introduced the all new World Superbike derived Diablo Superbike SC1 compound this season, and the tyre has been the chosen option for the victor in all four races so far. Superbike riders are expected to use this option in dry conditions at Oulton Park, a challenging circuit with a good mix of elevation changes through fast sweeping corners.
Road safety organisation TyreSafe has made its PACT campaign the centrepiece of its updated 2013 materials aimed at publicising bike tyre maintenance. The organisation will work with tyre retailers, bike dealerships and other road safety professionals to help bikers stay safe on the road. PACT is an acronym, representing four key tyre safety checks: Performance, Air pressure, Condition and Tread.
Pirelli says that the way the grid for the British Superbike Championship is shaping up, 2013 should be another competitive season. Reigning champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne will go head-to-head with the returning Ryuichi Kiyonari as title contenders, and Pirelli says that the battle will decide the most successful rider in BSB history. The Italian tyre supplier now supports Superbike, Supersport, Superstock 1000, Superstock 600, Triumph Triple Challenge and the Ducati 848 Challenge classes as sole tyre supplier, making 2013 its most committed year in the prestigious championship.
Maxxis International UK managing director, Derek McMartin has declared the company “impressed” at its sponsored rider, Tommy Hill’s 2012 season in the 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, in which he finished third. McMartin said that the Swan Yamaha team, which is sponsored by Maxxis, has helped to increase the awareness of its brand through fans attending the championship and watching television coverage. Defending champion Hill recorded a double podium finish at Brands Hatch to end the season on a high note for Swan Yamaha, leapfrogging Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) to finish on the third step of the overall podium behind Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) and Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki).
Although the World Superbike Championship is switching to 17-inch tyres for the 2013 season – a change promoted as one that will aid in the motorsport-driven development of road-going motorcycle tyres – the British Superbike Championship will continue for one further year on Pirelli’s 16.5-inch tyre.
Maxxis-sponsored Swan Yamaha’s Tommy Hill is to continue the defence of his MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship title, as the series approaches the final three rounds of the season with the highly anticipated Showdown, which features the top six riders. Having qualified third fastest at Donington Park on 8-9 September, Hill posted a double podium for the fifth consecutive round, finishing second in race one and third in the second race. His seven wins so far this season – at Oulton Park, where he followed up an early season victory with an impressive, first ever hat-trick in the championship in July, and at Snetterton and Knockhill – have earned him 35 podium credits, giving him a 10 point lead over nearest rival Josh Brookes of Tyco Suzuki. Hill now heads the elite group of six riders representing six different teams when the Showdown gets underway at the Assen TT Circuit in the Netherlands on 21-23 September. Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) and Tommy Bridewell (Supersonic BMW) have joined defending champion Hill, Brookes, Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) and Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) as Title Fighters.
The MCE British Superbike Championship visited Snetterton this weekend, and Pirelli, which supplies the tyres for the event, declared itself pleased with the performance of its tyres in the hot conditions – especially the softer SC1 compound. Michael Laverty became the seventh winner of the championship’s seventh race following Tommy Hill’s victory in race one. The two Superbike races were held in front of 40,000 fans, who enjoyed some fantastic racing with track temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Centigrade in both outings.
Maxxis-sponsored Swan Yamaha got its 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship campaign off to a flying start at round two, when reigning champion Tommy Hill posted a double podium finish. The brand says it is reaping the benefit of its sponsorship deal thanks to the exposure it provides, not least through the TV coverage, to one of the tyre manufacturer’s key consumer audiences. The company said that it eagerly awaits round three of the series at Oulton Park. Hill’s two second places at Thruxton mean he is lying fourth in the overall standings after two rounds. All championship competitors ride on Pirelli Diablo tyres.
Pirelli has called the second round of the British Superbike Championship at Thruxton a “tale of two tyres”, as the SC2 harder rear Diablo Superbike tyre compound was fitted to the winning bikes in both races. Ian Lowry took his first ever series win and the Championship lead, as he and race two winner, Josh Brookes both opted for the SC2 to beat series Tommy Hill towards the end of each race. British Champion Hill used the softer SC1 compound rear tyre in both outings.
Pirelli is recommending its hardest SC2 compound for riders tackling Thruxton at the second round of the British Superbike Championship. Bad weather meant the opening round at Brands Hatch was dominated by those best equipped to deal with damp conditions, and Pirelli suggests podium finishers, Jon Kirkham, Alistair Seeley and Michael Rutter may just be quietly hoping a repeat. Thruxton will demand different machine set-up’s and strategies for riders and teams, and if the weather stays fine, the Superbike competitors have three slick options on the rear – SC0 (softest), SC1 (medium) and SC2 (hardest) – and the SC1 and SC2 on the front;. Fully wet conditions will see riders opt for Pirelli Diablo Rain and the intermediate Diablo Wet tyres will be available for difficult in-between conditions.
Pirelli will travel to Brands Hatch over Easter weekend, to provide tyres to the MCE British Superbike Championship. Last year’s series provided some of the closest racing in the world, and the tyre supplier believes there is more to come in the 2012 Superbike, Supersport and Ducati 848 Challenge classes. The new Rapid Solicitors National Junior Cup for riders aged 13-18 riding Kawasaki Ninja 250R machines also joins the portfolio of championships run on Pirelli tyres.
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