Photo: Bridgestone
2015 may be the last season with Bridgestone as the Official Tire Supplier to MotoGP, but the Japanese manufacturer is continuing the development of new tires for the season that’s about to begin. And because a lot of new things had to be dealt with in 2014 and mandated certain new approaches to both performance specs and racing safety, Bridgestone decided to revise its tire marking color code.
So far Bridgestone used four color indicators telling the compound type for the tires. The standard or medium tire is in fact unmarked, so we refer to it as the “black tire”. The harder option tires are marked with a red stripe, while the softer ones bear a white stripe. The extra-soft option is identified by a green stripe. All in all, this system allows viewers to easily determine for themselves which type of tires their favorites or their favorites’ direct rivals are using.
The color coding system was introduced in 2014 in early March as a response to the increasing demands coming from both people attending the races and those watching the events in their homes or online. Dorna heard the viewers’ voice as they openly said it would be so much cooled if they had a quick and easy way of knowing what tires each rider was using.
Of course, this move is a very smart one and increases the level of engagement for race viewers, and adds to the overall quality of the sport. However, the 2014 season revealed that in certain situations, different tire compounds are needed, with the rounds at Phillip Island and Termas de Rio Hondo representing two of the most intense moments of last year’s championship.
First, the resurfaced Australian circuit at Phillip Island simply tore through the tires like a hot knife through butter, and this prompted Race Direction to impose changing bikes and riding with a new set of tires after 10 laps at most. Marquez was even disqualified for failure to comply with Race Direction requirements and headed over to change the bike after entering the 11th lap. On the other hand, the Argentinian round at the all-new Termas de Rio Hondo circuit, also with a very abrasive surface, required asymmetric tires because of the track layout.
For 2015, wet race tires will be differentiated by a white stripe indicating the softer option, while a black tire will indicate the harder choice for the compound. MotoGP action returns next week with the kick-off round in Qatar, at the Losail circuit on march 29.
The color coding system was introduced in 2014 in early March as a response to the increasing demands coming from both people attending the races and those watching the events in their homes or online. Dorna heard the viewers’ voice as they openly said it would be so much cooled if they had a quick and easy way of knowing what tires each rider was using.
For 2015, two more colors are added
This year two more colors are added to the MotoGP paddock, yellow for the extra hard compound, and light blue for the asymmetric tires. The extra-hard option will only be available as a rear tire, while the asymmetric will be a front one, because the regulations only allow a maximum of one such front tire choice at a given event.Of course, this move is a very smart one and increases the level of engagement for race viewers, and adds to the overall quality of the sport. However, the 2014 season revealed that in certain situations, different tire compounds are needed, with the rounds at Phillip Island and Termas de Rio Hondo representing two of the most intense moments of last year’s championship.
First, the resurfaced Australian circuit at Phillip Island simply tore through the tires like a hot knife through butter, and this prompted Race Direction to impose changing bikes and riding with a new set of tires after 10 laps at most. Marquez was even disqualified for failure to comply with Race Direction requirements and headed over to change the bike after entering the 11th lap. On the other hand, the Argentinian round at the all-new Termas de Rio Hondo circuit, also with a very abrasive surface, required asymmetric tires because of the track layout.
For 2015, wet race tires will be differentiated by a white stripe indicating the softer option, while a black tire will indicate the harder choice for the compound. MotoGP action returns next week with the kick-off round in Qatar, at the Losail circuit on march 29.
Google News