Is Pirelli taking over?

[TommyG]

I just read that Pirelli is going to be the Spec tire for the Canadian series! They`ve already got world superbike/supersport...What`s next??!! :o

[afeuer]

Yes they are!!

[mdr14]

I don't mind a spec tire as long as everyone pays the same for the tires etc.

That would be very cool if The AMA went that route.

[LMsports]

I disagree. I hate the idea of being told that I need to run a particular kind of product. I realize that riders want the same tire choices as the factory teams, so make them available for a price. But reality says that most privateers wouldn't be able to make use of their tires anyway. A spec tire just seems un-american.

[Super Dave]

I'm with Rob.  If you have a sponsor, you might not have a sponsor because of the change in the playing field.  And your budget might be ruined by having to purchase tires.  

Does anyone feel that the spec tires used in WSB allow WSB riders to go faster or slower?  If they are going slower, that means less traction.  So, is making less traction more safe or less safe?

Now, if you raced one series with no spec tire, what are you going to do in the series that has a spec tire rule?  You couldn't offer any exclusivity to your sponsor.

[Zac]

 
So, is making less traction more safe or less safe?

I could argue that less traction is safer, because when you exceed the traction limit (which every rider does at some point no matter how much traction they have) you will be going slower.

As for a spec tire, I believe that the only place for a spec tire is in a spec class.  Just because everyone has a spec tire in a superbike class, someone will still have the equipment advantage due to a better bike, etc.  

In a spec class, where all the riders are on (ideally) similar machines, then a spec tire is in order as well.  I really think the AMA need a spec class.  Let the SB guys run the best tires that can be made.  SB is not supposed to be cheap.

Another idea is to only allow homologated tires, so that there can be competition among the brands, but noone gets "special" tires.  AMA does this with flat track, where they specify which tires are allowed.  I guess that should be true with DOT classes, but there are some pretty "special" DOT tires being used.

-z.

[ninelives59]

I also agree,I think the whole spec tire issue ruined the whole world superbike thing...I like my choices of being able to run the tire I want to.The spec tires also slowed the world gus down also,Look at the times last year the ama boyz were running compared to the world guys at laguna..I believe they were almost two seconds faster. thats my two cents :-/

[Super Dave]

I could argue that less traction is safer, because when you exceed the traction limit (which every rider does at some point no matter how much traction they have) you will be going slower.

Given that, one could say that a requirement for a race to be run on used tires would be safer.

[TommyG]

Now I`m wondering if their development will go faster
due to more of a higher level of riders on their product. The more fast guys doing R&D the better the product? Seems to have worked for dunlop?!

[Zac]

Given that, one could say that a requirement for a race to be run on used tires would be safer.

Used tires are inconsistant, which is were the danger lies.  

If everyone was given Cheng Shin tires to race on, once the riders were calibrated to the amount of traction available, and the bikes were set up to suit (i.e. smoother powerband), there wouldn't be any more crashes than there is now.  

Has anyone ever said that vintage racing is more dangerous because they have WM3 rims?  Maybe if we let them run modern 17" wheels with slicks it would be safer...

-z.

[cleezmo]

WSBK didn't go to a Spec Tire rule to drop lap times. They went to a spec tire to promote closer racing, level the playing field. Yes, the Pirellis obviously aren't as fast as the Michelines from 3 seasons ago, but that's not the point. The racing, as pretty much everyone would agree, is a lot closer, with more guys winning on more bikes. That was the whole objective, to give spectators a better show. On that level I'd say they definetely acheived their goal.

I think it would be silly to use a spec tire in club racing - sponsorships help a lot of the fast guys. But I don't see why AMA SBK, or any other factory-team class, couldn't or shouldn't be a spec tire class. At that level the $$ isn't as big of an issue.

Lap times don't make a good show, 5 guys dicing for the lead makes a good show.

[TommyG]

WSBK didn't go to a Spec Tire rule to drop lap times. They went to a spec tire to promote closer racing, level the playing field. Yes, the Pirellis obviously aren't as fast as the Michelines from 3 seasons ago, but that's not the point. The racing, as pretty much everyone would agree, is a lot closer, with more guys winning on more bikes. That was the whole objective, to give spectators a better show. On that level I'd say they definetely acheived their goal.

I think it would be silly to use a spec tire in club racing - sponsorships help a lot of the fast guys. But I don't see why AMA SBK, or any other factory-team class, couldn't or shouldn't be a spec tire class. At that level the $$ isn't as big of an issue.

Lap times don't make a good show, 5 guys dicing for the lead makes a good show.

Well said! I`ve also noticed that Pirelli took another step closer to Dunlop at the AMA level this year. You could even argue that they had a better product at some tracks.