The 17” Pirelli Diablo Superbike Tyres Pass the First Test on the Way to Becoming the Future Superbike World Championship Tyres

The results of the tests carried out today on the Motorland Aragòn track to have the Superbike riders try out the tyres with which they will race starting from next season showed improvements on each lap of up to 1.5 seconds

Motorland Aragòn, Spain – July 2, 2012 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The new 17-inch Pirelli Diablo Superbike tyres with which the World Championship will be run starting from next season have passed their first test.

17-inch tyre on the left

The tests carried out today on the Spanish track, open to all and organised by Infront and Pirelli which bore the costs for the track and for supplying the tyres, involved the following teams with their respective riders: Aprilia Racing Team, Althea Racing, Honda World Superbike Team, FIXI Crescent Suzuki, BMW Motorrad Motorsport, BMW Motorrad Italia Goldbet, Kawasaki Racing Team and Pata Racing Team. Grillini Progea Superbike Team, ParkinGO MTC Racing and Team Pedercini instead chose not to take part in the development tests of the new 17-inch tyres but only in those relating to the new 16.5-inch solutions for the current season. The teams Red Devils Roma and Team Effenbert Liberty Racing instead communicated their decision not to perform the tests.

The test day programme involved two sessions, one organised in the morning and one in the afternoon, lasting 2 hours and 20 minutes each, during which the riders were able to try out 3 different 17-inch solutions on the front and 2 solutions on the rear, all in intermediate SC1 compound but different in terms of structure, construction materials and profiles. In particular in the test for development of the 17-inch tyres the riders first did a few laps with the 16.5-inch tyres in the SC1 compound which they have available during the year before moving on to the 17-inch solutions. The decision to perform the test with solutions still in SC1 compound, as already communicated, was taken to ensure that the riders were totally focused on the different size rather than on other features of the tyres.

In the morning session the new 17-inch tyres were tested by Max Biaggi, Davide Giugliano, Jonathan Rea, Leon Camier, Leon Haslam, Ayrton Badovini, Loris Baz and Lorenzo Zanetti. In the afternoon instead it was the turn of Carlos Checa, John Hopkins, Marco Melandri, Michel Fabrizio and Tom Sykes. Each rider did on average approximately 30 laps.

The table below compares the results for the fastest laps of the single riders obtained in the order of Race 1 on Sunday, when the weather conditions were certainly more favourable than Race 2 and enabled them to achieve better times, and then in today’s tests first with the standard 16.5-inch tyre that they have available in races and then with 17-inch tyres.

TEAMS	RIDERS	RACE1	MONDAY’S TEST
		FASTEST LAP 16,5″	FASTEST LAP 16,5″	FASTEST LAP 17″
Aprilia Racing Team	Max BIAGGI	1’58.391	1’58.639	1’58.054
Althea Racing	Carlos CHECA	1’58.954	1’59.217	1’58.720
	Davide GIUGLIANO	2’00.193	1’59.751	1’58.283
Honda World Superbike Team	Jonathan REA	2’00.280	1’58.201	1’59.511
FIXI Crescent Suzuki	Leon CAMIER	2’00.564	1’58.973	1’59.294
	John HOPKINS	2’00.581	2’00.710	2’00.588
BMW Motorrad Motorsport	Leon HASLAM	1’59.933	1’59.173	1’58.150
	Marco MELANDRI	1’58.251	1’58.809	1’58.665
BMW Motorrad Italia Goldbet	Michel FABRIZIO	1’59.993	1’59.258	1’59.096
	Ayrton BADOVINI	1’58.982	1’58.823	1’57.658
Kawasaki Racing Team	Loris BAZ	2’00.154	2’01.010	1’59.721
	Tom SYKES	1’59.159	1’57.462	1’57.254
PATA Racing Team	Lorenzo ZANETTI	2’00.025	2’00.496	2’00.096

As can be seen in most cases the riders improved their lap times considerably, up to a maximum of 1.5 seconds. In other cases they equalled the performance obtained with 16.5-inch tyres.

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Moto Racing Director commented: “The results of today’s tests are a very promising starting point with no dark corners, on which to build new developments. The challenge for us at Pirelli will be to construct the new range and scaling starting from this interesting step forward”.

Thanks to the feedback received during the tests in the next few days Pirelli will identify the solution that was most appreciated by the riders. On this basis it will develop not only the tyre in the standard SC1 compound for next year but also the entire range of compounds. Already starting from 2013, these tyres will also be marketed and made available to all customers, who will in any case be able to choose whether to buy 16.5-inch rather than 17-inch tyres. With the introduction of the new 17” tyres in the Superbike World Championship from next year Pirelli will be present with this new size in all World and National Championships in which it takes part, with the exception of the British Superbike Championship which, given its importance, needs another year before being able to change to 17 inches. The change will however be made starting in 2014.

For further information:
Matteo Giusti  +39 338 616 9251  matteo.giusti@pirelli.com
Francescopaolo Tarallo  +39 334 684 4307  francescopaolo.tarallo@pirelli.com

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Pirelli Presents the New Diablo Supercorsa: Top Performance on the Track and on the Road

World premiere of the latest member of the Diablo family at the first flagship P Zero Moda Store

Initially produced in 120/70ZR17 front and 200/55ZR17 rear sizes, the tire will be available in both the compound version, to be showcased during the 2012 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, as well as the race replica road going version

MILAN, ITALY – November 11, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Pirelli has announced the world premiere of the new Diablo Supercorsa, the Italian maker’s new tire perfect for professional riders and motorcyclists who have a sporty riding style but love the racetrack as well. The newest member of the Diablo family is being presented at EICMA 2011 at the first flagship P Zero Moda store (opened this past September on the famed Corso Venezia in Milan). The Diablo Supercorsa will initially be produced in 120/70ZR17 front and 200/55ZR17 rear sizes and will be used in 2012 as the SC (Special Compound) version for riders in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup.  These same sizes will also be available in an SP (Sport Production) race replica version suitable for daily use on the road.

Pirelli will progressively introduce this new tire – first in the racing world with the release of the compound version that will be used in the FIM Superstock 1000 FIM Cup starting next year and next as an expansion of the available range at the end of 2012.  This will allow the introduction of a broader range of racing sizes to extend use of the new tire in various national championships where Pirelli now competes. Finally in early 2013, the road going race replica version will be made available in the common 180/55, 190/55 and 190/50 size for the rear.

The street version of the Diablo Supercorsa (SP) is a concentration of technology taken from the experience and racing heritage acquired by Pirelli in its role as sole supplier of the Superbike World Championship since 2004 and is a tire for street use – offering performance typical of racing products for exclusive use on track.  This will give the user a unique ultra-high performance product that can be used on the street or the track without the need to compromise.

First to showcase this tire and its excellent qualities is Ducati, who, also due to the close collaboration with Pirelli’s research and development center, has selected the new Diablo Supercorsa in its street version (SP) to equip its all-new 1199 Panigale, adopting the same measures of the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup (120/70 and 200/55).

The new Diablo Supercorsa, compared to the previous version, has a rear profile calibrated with approximately 2 mm more side edge and 4 mm more diameter in the center for increased support under braking and to make riding more intuitive and precise in maintaining the line. The rear tire has been completely revamped and improved upon in order to increase contact area, grip, the speed of lean-in and handling overall.

The structures and compounds of the Diablo Supercorsa are derived from its predecessor’s use in WSBK racing activities and optimize the performances instilled by the profiles. In particular, the 200/55ZR17 rear tire is built with a high modulus carcass and features a dual-compound tread using new polymers to offer quick warm-up and a solid grip in all conditions. The result of this match between the two new profiles of the front and rear is an increased handling and agility overall.

The new dual-compound tread pattern of the race replica version is characterized by long longitudinal grooves which begin at the central area of the profile and reach the tire shoulder to ensure the regularity of wear even during more severe use. The shoulder of the tire remains ‘naked’, a distinctive line of Diablo, for sport use on the road which demands maximum grip.

Beyond the demonstrated technological characteristics, the new Diablo Supercorsa SP does not compromise the customizable ultra-modern and timeless look that has characterized the latest products presented in Pirelli’s Diablo range. The new Supercorsa also permits tire customization through the application of special labels to dedicated areas on the sidewalls of the front and rear tires made to accommodate the labels, which anyone can freely create on Pirelli’s website and have shipped directly their home (service currently available in Europe and Australia).

More information on the entire range of Pirelli motorcycle tires available from www.pirelli.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/pirelli and Twitter: @Pirelli_Media.

Pirelli Tire North America designs, develops, manufactures and markets tires for passenger vehicles in both the original equipment and replacement markets as well as markets and distributes tires for motorcycles and motorsports. Located in Rome, Georgia, Pirelli’s Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) employs state-of-the-art technology to manufacture tires for both export and domestic markets.  For more information please visit www.us.pirelli.com.

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Pirelli Launches New Diablo Rosso II this Weekend at First Annual Pirelli Invitational

Pirelli Moto’s new supersport tire launch set for dealers and media at FIM Superbike World Championship at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah

ROME, GA – May 27, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The first annual Pirelli Invitational is set for this weekend (May 29-31) in the twisties of the Utah Rockies and the turns and straights of Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah where Pirelli North America Moto will introduce the Diablo Rosso II motorcycle tire.   An ‘invitation only’ event, Pirelli has invited over 100 media, motorsport dealers and consumer promotion winners from all over North America and as far away as Belgium and Australia to test the new Moto tire and to join Pirelli for the Superbike World Championship race this weekend. Pirelli is also extending a special offer to contest entrants that didn’t win a trip to Miller for the SBK race – giving them a chance to win one of 50 special Superbike World Championship books by registering free at www.GetPirelli.com.  GetPirelli.com gives fans of the brand an opportunity to interact with the company and take part in activities that Pirelli North America Moto is involved in – and win cool swag.

“The Pirelli Invitational is a new concept for us: an annual event we will continue to support each year involving journalists, dealers and consumers,” said Chris Wall, Pirelli North American Moto’s Director of Marketing. “Our new Diablo Rosso II is a hypersport tire that demanded a large introduction, and launching it at this year’s World Superbike Race at Miller is a great opportunity for Pirelli stakeholders not only see Pirelli’s DNA in action on the track, but to also feel it in action with our latest tire.”

The Diablo Rosso II’s Tri-Zone, Bi-Compound rear tread features a central area that is comprised of high silica content mixture and features an enhanced elasticity for uncompromised traction in the wet and dry while still offering durability and riding comfort. The fine carbon black matrix compound on the tire’s extreme shoulders (12.5% on each side) offers maximum supersport grip at extreme lean angles, taking its compounding technologies from Pirelli’s experience on some of the worlds’ most demanding racetracks. Both of the tire’s compounds have undergone extensive testing for fast warm-up capabilities, high traction under straight acceleration and confident grip at all lean angles to suit many different riding styles.

The new supersport street tire’s dual compound also features an improved aggressive tread pattern, increased wet grip and enhanced dry performance. Designed with innovations developed during Pirelli’s seven years as tire supplier to the Superbike World Championship, Diablo Rosso II is the ultimate sport tire of the Rosso Generation and replaces it predecessor with a product that incorporates new and proven technologies straight from this experience that confirms the formula Race=Road.

RACE=ROAD
Highlighting Pirelli’s philosophy: “We sell what we race, we race what we sell,” the company developed the Diablo Rosso II alongside seven key motorcycle manufacturers.  The cooperation accelerated Pirelli’s innovation and allowed for quick transfer to new structures, profiles and materials to provide a ready-to-use technology for everyday users. Word Superbike demands tires adapt to different bike dynamics, traction control, engine types and power, as well as differing suspension setups and riding styles on the thirteen racetracks run throughout the sport’s eight month season. SBK circuits – like Miller Motorsports Park – have become extreme testing grounds on which Pirelli searches for new formulas.

Diablo Rosso II is designed to easily fit to all competition bikes, allowing riders to exploit the full effect of their bike’s performance. This versatile tire is an on-road wonder as the two share many common technical characteristics. Pirelli’s passion for racing helps it maintain a competitive advantage and allows the company to quickly develop products for road use. Pirelli’s involvement in SBK and other circuit racing competition is a critical element for its technology, tire development and testing with the goal of delivering products to consumers that offer the highest quality and performance for everyday roads.

DIABLO TRADEMARK – A PRESTIGIOUS HISTORY
Pirelli’s entrance into the Superbike World Championship in 2004 as official tire supplier saw the Diablo trademark grow in prestige and influence thanks to its technological innovations and success on the track. Pirelli Moto has generated new radial products nearly every year covering all performance segments from full race slick, Racing Street-legal DOT, Racing Street and Supersport tires. The Rosso Generation tire family consists of the new Diablo Rosso II and its track-day counterpart, the Diablo Rosso Corsa – a tire that demonstrates huge performance in dry grip and track performance representing Pirelli’s top performance products for everyday use.
Diablo Rosso II raises the bar of the Rosso Generation’s sport capabilities and is destined for supersport and naked bikes that demand top performance in all types of use, from twisty countryside roads to city traffic in both wet and dry conditions. The Rosso Generation premium radial tire line utilizes modern technologies like patented 0° degree steel belt structure along with those drawn from Pirelli’s WSBK experience, such as and contact patch optimization (EPT) and Functional Groove Design (FGD) and attractive styling elements such as shoulder identification and the option to be personalised with unique labels (www.gettyre.com/stickers).

SIZES AND AVAILABILTY
Diablo Rosso II is available now in front 120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17, 190/50ZR17, 190/55ZR17 sizes as well as the unique OE 240/45ZR17 fitment for the 2011 Ducati Diavel.  Additional front sizes 110/70ZR17, 120/60ZR17, and additional rears 150/60ZR17, 160/60ZR17 are also available with the 170/60ZR17 size to follow in 2012. More detail on the innovation and the technology of the Diablo Rosso II and other Pirelli tires of the Rosso Generation of are available on Pirelli’s website: www.pirelli.com.

Pirelli Tire North America designs, develops, manufactures and markets tires for passenger vehicles in both the original equipment and replacement markets as well as markets and distributes tires for motorcycles and motorsports. Located in Rome, Georgia, Pirelli’s Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) employs state-of-the-art technology to manufacture tires for both export and domestic markets.  For more information please visit www.us.pirelli.com.

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Pirelli Moto Sees Impressive Laps and Mix of Lead Bikes During Donington Park’s Cold Superpole

Donington Park, UK – March, 26th, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – On the other side of the world from Pirelli’s successful debut in Formula 1™ racing, also Pirelli motorcycle tyres are recording new levels of performance at the Superbike World Championship’s second round in the United Kingdom. Recording a final pole time of 1m28.099s in his third Superpole session on Diablo Superbike tyres, opening round double-win rider Carlos Checa of Althea Ducati established a new best lap at the renovated Donington Park circuit, besting not only times from previous years qualifying but also Pirelli’s expectations based on improvements made to the tracks surface and layout.

Even despite the cold March temperatures of the English countryside, Checa was able to make good of his two qualifying tyres, new for this 2011, setting his fastest time in the last of the three Superpole session. Leon Haslam (BMW) will start from second position, alongside countryman Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) in third position and Jakob Smrz (Ducati) who rounds out the front row. Another local rider, Johathan Rea (Honda) managed to squeeze in a fast lap in the second session but could not repeat in the third and was left in the last position on the second row.

With the low track temperature (7°C), it was difficult for riders to get heat in the tyres and some opted to go out first on the Soft (SC1) rear race tyre, returning to the pits for a rear qualifier in midsession. This strategy did not work for Marco Melandri (Yamaha) who encountered traffic with the two Alitalia Aprilia bikes of Biaggi and Leon Camier, leaving him unable to set a fast time and thus missed out on the third Superpole. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki), on his third out impressed even further the paddock with a 1m28.556 on race tyres, having already used up his qualifiers in the previous two sessions. These new compound Superpole tyres are still ideal for 3-5 performance laps, but now offer additional warm-up and grip level for riders to shave up to three quarters of a minute from their race tyre setup.

Racing Director of Pirelli Moto, Giorgio Barbier commented: “This was a really entertaining Superpole, which saw a number of different bikes vying for the front which is a great result for qualifying and a sign of strong consistency for the Diablo Superbike qualifying and race tyres. We were a bit cautious with our tyre allocation for Donington Park, bringing 4 front and 4 rear tyre solutions, primarily because we have no data from last year and must to race in March instead of June. So far the conditions have already shown quite variable, with 22°C track temperature yesterday during practice and down to 7°C today during qualifying. The lap times are still dropping though and we can certainly expect to see some personal best performances of all riders tomorrow as we look forward to the first of several European rounds of the 2011 season.”

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Pirelli Moto Launches Record-Breaking Road Racing Tires in North America for 2011

ROME, GA – March 9, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Pirelli concluded an exciting seventh season as Official Tire Supplier to the Superbike World Championship (WSBK), commanding seven outright best lap records and nine lap records at 8 of the 13 circuits on the Superbike calendar. Seven of these races showed a faster overall race time, with improvements in the season average of .4 second per lap and 4.05 seconds per race. In addition to WSBK, Pirelli is also the official tire supplier for the Canadian Superbike, and British Superbike Championships.

“Our involvement at the highest level of racing continues to allow us to offer the latest in compounding, structure and profiles to racers around the world,” said Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Moto Racing Activities Manager. “North America continues to be an important market to Pirelli; for that reason our U.S and Canadian race vendors will be offering the latest in Pirelli race tire technology in 2011. We truly race what we sell and sell what we race.”

The following tires will be available with new sizing and compounds:

• 180/60ZR17 Diablo Supercorsa SC1 & SC2 600cc Supersport tire
• 200/55ZR17 Diablo Supercorsa SC1 & SC2 1000cc Supersport tire
• 200/60R17   Diablo Superbike SC1 & SC2 Slick

The new SC1 compound for the Diablo Supercorsa 120/70, 180/60, 200/55 & Slick 120/70, 120/75, 200/60, and 190/65 tires provide more feedback and works much better at a higher and wider track temperature range.  The SC2 compound is similar to last year’s compound but it has been improved to offer more grip and longer life. Due to the new compound changes and attributes the entire range offering has been changed – the SC3 and SC4 tires are no longer needed.

The new 180/60ZR17 & 200/55ZR17 rear DOT tires, along with the 200/60R17 slick tire feature new carcass materials and sizing. With the diameters of the tires increasing to improve turn in and side bite Pirelli has stiffened the carcass to increase feedback and stability. Riders will find set up changes are needed to address the change in tire diameters and possibly slight compression/rebound changes to maximize the increased performance of these world-class tires. For more information about the new compound range, set up changes and other important data please send an e-mail to customerservice.us@pirellimoto.com for a copy of the 2011 road racing tech sheet.

For information about availability and pricing for Pirelli Motorcycle racing and track day tires contact your local race vendor:

• Orion M/S – www.orionmotorsports.ca
• Innovative M/S – www.racingmotorcycles.com
• CT Racing – www.ctracetires.com

Pirelli Tire North America designs, develops, manufactures and markets tires for passenger vehicles in both the original equipment and replacement markets as well as markets and distributes tires for motorcycles and motorsports. Located in Rome, Georgia, Pirelli’s Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) employs state-of-the-art technology to manufacture tires for both export and domestic markets.  For more information please visit www.us.pirelli.com.

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Pirelli 2010 Mid-Season Moto Racing Report

MILANO, ITALIA – August 2, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The 2010 world racing scene has been filled with action and memorable competition, but the season will soon take a short break for the summer.  The various Pirelli Moto riders have competed at the very maximum and will benefit from a well-deserved break from their racing activities. As part of a mid-season racing update, we are pleased to inform you that many of our teams and riders lead of their respective championships.  Many of our worldwide Pirelli locations have also experienced successes from their local and national Pirelli riders.

For your information, please find attached our list of Pirelli racers for 2010 road racing, motocross and endurance activities.

At present time Pirelli riders maintain leadership positions in the following World Championships:

FIM WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP (after 11 rounds)

• #1 World Championship MX1 – Toni Cairoli
• #1 World Championship MX2 – Marvin Musquin
• #1 World Championship Women’s MX (5 rounds) – Stephanie Laier

FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ENDURANCE (after 3 rounds)

• #1 Endurance SBK Class – Team Bolliger Switzerland Kawasaki (Saiger/Stamm)

FIM WORLD ENDURANCE SUZUKA 8-HOURS

• #1 Endurance 600cc Class – Team Moriwaki (Miyazima/Brodie)

FIM CROSS-COUNTRY RALLIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (after 3 rounds)

• #1 OVER 450 CC – Marc Coma

FIM E-POWER INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (after 3 rounds)

• #1 Electric Racing – Betti Moto Racing

Pirelli continues to deliver performances as official tyre to riders in the various world-class championships:

FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (after 10 rounds)

• Superbike World Championship – Max Biaggi
• World Supersport Championship – Kenan Sofuoglu
• Superstock 1000 FIM Cup – Ayrton Badovini
• Superstock 600 European Championship – Jeremy Guarnoni

Kindest regards and best wishes on your remaining summer activities!

Kevin Allen
Racing and Product Communications Manager
Mob:  +39 335 133 5842
Tel: +39 02 6442 38405
kevin.allen@pirelli.com
Skype:   shobull

Pirelli Tyre – BU Moto
Viale Sarca, 222 – 20126 Milano – Italia
www.pirelli.com

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