REIFEN-INNOVATIONEN: Pirelli bringt neue Entwicklungsreifen SC1 vorne und SCX hinten zum Barcelona-Test
The tires that will also be included in the race's tire distribution include a new SCX solution on the rear wheel and SC1 on the front wheel
The test rides are a time for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship manufacturers to test new parts and components, and this also applies to tire supplier Pirelli. At the two-day Supported Test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, they brought a new SC1 solution for the front axle and an SCX solution for the rear axle, which the entire field was able to test during the two-day trip in Spain.
Pirelli is always looking for innovation, and that continued with the introduction of the SCX C900 rear tire, which is said to provide additional stability compared to the current standard solution to make the tire an even better option. It follows the B800 development solution that was widely used in WorldSBK last year as the Italian company continues to improve its tires.
Steven Neumann, WorldSBK project manager at Pirelli, explained the SCX tire as follows: "The C900 is a rear tire and this tire is an evolution of the SCX. It is a very nice tire and it is the first time we have used it in the WorldSBK. It's an improvement on the SCX based on what we know from the SCX's previous development tire. The compound is the same, we're just looking for something better. It's already a really good tire. As you saw last year "We used it for entire races. Last year we had the B800 as a development tire. This tire is an improved development. It's not softer or harder, but brings something new, it's supposed to offer more stability when driving and more edge grip."
The SCX tire is not the only innovation in the test, as there is also a new SC1 front tire used in the test. Both solutions will be used at the Pirelli Catalunya round next week. The new SC1 has also been designed to provide greater stability, especially in warmer conditions or on routes that are demanding on the front tires.
Explaining why a new development tire is available, Neumann said: "There is a new front tire that is not connected to the rear tire. It is just a soft development tire that belongs to the SC1 family. Our goal is to have more stability at the front to offer, especially when it's hotter and on really demanding tracks, like Barcelona, in strong braking zones or when you lean and start braking. The tire compound remains the same as the SC1, so we want to achieve better stability."
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