Pirelli’s SCX tyre prepares for its Balaton Park WorldSBK debut as the SCQ tyre returns for Tissot Superpole and Superpole Race action
The Italian tyre specialists are preparing quite a selection of solutions for the upcoming weekend
The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship returns for its Motul Hungarian Round for the second-ever round at Balaton Park Circuit. A tricky layout with various chicanes poses a new challenge for Pirelli engineers, who rate the circuit a 7 out of 10 for tyre stress. The stop-and-go nature of the 4.075km circuit and vital data collected last season have led Pirelli to allow the use of their softer tyres.
WorldSBK REAR TYRE SOLUTIONS: SCX and SCQ tyres available
Lacking data last season, as it was the maiden trip to the track, they provided the SC0 and former development E0125 compound to riders which has since been designated as the standard SC0. This year, however, they have applied what they’ve learned and are bringing both the supersoft SCX rear, as well as for Free Practice, Tissot Superpole sessions and the Superpole race, the extrasoft SCQ rear tyre. As it was not provided in 2025, this weekend will mark the SCX tyre’s debut at Balaton Park. If lower temperatures are expected, as in 2025, riders will have access to the soft SC0 rear tyre, and should the weather prove them necessary, teams will also have the option of SCR1 rain tyres and Intermediate tyres on both the front and rear axles.
WorldSBK FRONT TYRE SOLUTIONS: Soft and medium solutions on the front
World Superbike riders will have comparatively fewer options on the front axle, comprising of two compounds. The SC1 soft and the SC2 medium solutions will be provided; nine SC1s and eight SC2s per rider.
WorldSSP ALLOCATIONS: two solutions per axle
Round 4 brings four tyres to bear for the WorldSSP field. On the rear, riders will have the choice between the SCX supersoft tyre and the SC0 soft for their pair of races at Balaton Park. On the front, it is a choice between the SC1 soft and the SC2 medium to compliment the SCR1 rain tyres on the front and the back.
BARBIER ON PIRELLI’S SOLUTIONS: “Balaton Park is a track with low tyre-wear values. For this reason, we decided to make the softest range solutions available”
On their allotment for the upcoming round, Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director Giorgio Barbier said: “The data collected last year showed that Balaton Park is a track with low tyre-wear values. For this reason, we decided to make the softest range solutions available to WorldSBK riders, including the supersoft SCX in the allocation, which was not present last year. Riders will, in any case, also be able to count on the soft SC0 which, in 2025 as the E0125 specification, was the race reference. This could be a valid alternative, especially in the event of lower temperatures. For the first time this season, the extrasoft SCQ returns to centre stage for the Superpole session and the Superpole Race. Last year this solution was used only in qualifying due to unfavourable weather conditions in the Superpole Race, so it will be interesting to see whether anyone uses it in the short race this year.”
Tune in on Friday, May 1st, for the opening day of action at Balaton Park! Watch Live or OnDemand with the WorldSBK VideoPass! Now 30% off!
