MotoGP World » Bridgestone

How Bridgestone MotoGP tyres work [Video]

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:55:44 +0000

Interesting documentary and animated short film revealing how acceleration, braking and cornering affects tyre temperature in MotoGP. The film was made by Bridgestone and focuses on how they construct their compounds to cope with varying demands and temperatures on various parts of the tyre – demands that vary from track to track.

Bridgestone confirmed as sole tyre supplier for MotoGP

admin — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:52:19 +0000

[via Autosport]

At the Malaysian MotoGP this weekend Bridgestone have been confirmed as the sole provider of tyres to the MotoGP class for the next three years.

Hiroshi Yasukawa, director of Bridgestone Motorsport said:

“Bridgestone is pleased that we have been appointed the sole tyre supplier to the MotoGP World Championship for the next three seasons, starting from 2009.”

“Although we were sorry to hear that tyre competition would not continue in MotoGP, Bridgestone appreciates the importance of safety and cost in motorsport.

“We respect the decision taken by FIM and Dorna to impose a one-make tyre rule for next season and acknowledge the safety and cost reasons given for their decision.

“We submitted a proposal to FIM and Dorna in order to continue competing at the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, and to continue to be a part of the MotoGP community, of which we are proud to have been involved since the 2002 season.

“We must make sure that our tyres work safely and competitively at each event, bearing in mind the complexity of tyre performance at each individual circuit and, most importantly, we must ensure that our tyres offer the same performance potential across all teams.”

“We have a busy winter period ahead of us in order to best prepare ourselves for the first race of the 2009 season, but on-track preparations will begin as soon as the chequered flag has fallen on this 2008 season with a post-race test in Valencia, the first opportunity we will have to work with new teams and riders.”

Vermeulen blasts bid for single tyre

admin — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:03:55 +0000

In an interview with Australian newspaper ‘The Age’, Chris Vermeulen has come out vocally against the single tyre rule for MotoGP for 2009. Bridgestone have submitted their bid to be the single tyre provider, whilst Michelin opted against submitting a bid in favour of focusing on research and development. Bridgestone’s proposal is under consideration and a decision is expected to be made at the Malaysian Grand Prix on October 18…..although everyone knows what the outcome of that will be.

Vermeulen said:
“I don’t agree with it, I think it’s wrong for grand prix racing to go to a mono-tyre,” Vermeulen said. “We’re prototype racing, we’re there to develop, we’re at the cutting edge of development for tyres, for brakes, for engine performance.

“Everything we do on our bike eventually translates to benefits in road bikes. We work on all sorts of things — fuel consumption, to cut down emissions, for example and eventually it gets through to what people use on the road.

“I think going to a mono-tyre from that side is going to slow development down. Also for the racing — we’re there to compete, manufacturers are there to make a name for themselves, to develop and to beat the other manufacturers. And do I think it’s going to make the racing closer? No, because at the moment every manufacturer has at least one rider on Bridgestone … Competition will basically cease. The way I see it they will develop a tyre at the start of the year. Tyres may change from circuit to circuit slightly, but there’ll be no major development like we have now.”

FULL ARTICLE

Bridgestone: sole tyre supplier to MotoGP for 2009?

admin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:38:12 +0000

MCN reports the Bridgestone are likely to be confirmed as the sole supplier of tyres for the premier class for 2009. Bridgestone were originally reported as being against the idea of MotoGP having a sole tyre supplier, and were quoted as being in favour of supporting competition and technical development by continuing to compete with Michelin.

Michelin (and other manufacturers) will be allowed to compete for the contract, but with the high profile criticism they have been receiving since 2007 from their riders, coupled with Stoner’s dominance on Bridgestone, Rossi’s switch to Bridgestone to remain competitive, and Pedrosa’s unheard of mid-season switch to Bridgestone from Michelin, it seems like the outcome is set.

Full story and quotes at MCN

A switch to Bridgestones would causes serious issues for the current Michelin riders and could be argued to put them at an instant disadvantage for 2009 as they have to adapt their teams and bikes to new rubber.

It’s hard to see where the famous Michelin Man would go from here….maybe sinking into depression, developing a drinking habit, before getting loaded on drugs and being found dead in his own swimming pool?

Michelin Man 2009

Hmmm, better post some more and scroll this badness off the front page…..